Special Teams Shakeup Can’t Crush Vikings Strength
There are plenty of spots the Minnesota Vikings need to focus on when it comes to their roster this offseason. They made the first (unofficial) move on Monday by landing cornerback James Pierre. Maybe the most shocking development from the legal tampering window was the departure of Ryan Wright.
It’s not as though teams often prioritize punters, but after a strong bounce-back year, the New Orleans Saints jumped in and gave Wright the bag. The $14 million deal includes $8 million in guarantees, and the Minnesota Vikings are now without their big-leg booter.
Minnesota’s Next Punter Must Fit the Reichard Equation
While punting is arguably the most important aspect of Wright’s jump, the most overlooked is his ability to hold. Developing rapport with kicker Will Reichard and ensuring the setup is elite are reflected in Reichard’s success as a professional.
Although Kwesi Adofo-Mensah landed very few good draft picks, Reichard in the 6th round may be among the best. As a rookie, he nailed 80% of his kicks, and he upped that to 94.3% last season. He was 11-of-13 from 50+ and set a new career-high with a 62-yard bomb.
It will be important for the Vikings to find a new punter who can flip the field. They also need to find a guy who is deemed a capable holder and someone who can work with Reichard and Andrew DePaola.
Each of the past two seasons, Matt Daniels has had additional punters in camp to push Wright. At one point, it was a reflection of his poor play, and at others, it has been about seeing the options. With Wright gone, it’s not about a new face pushing out the incumbent, but an entirely new name altogether.
The Minnesota Vikings may go back to one of the guys they have previously tried out, or they could look to replicate Reichard’s success and use a late-round pick. Georgia’s Brett Thorson is likely to be drafted, and he has an absolutely massive leg.
The Georgia product knows what he’s doing when dropping the ball to his foot. If the Vikings believe he can develop chemistry with Reichard and DePaola, he could quickly be holding for one of the best kickers in the sport.
No matter what, Wright’s departure can’t affect Reichard. Daniels and the special teams staff will need to make the right evaluation and ensure that.
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