Vikings Misses and Myths: De’Von Achane, the New GM, Jadarian Price
Every week, we flag the “Nopedy Nopes” around the Minnesota Vikings — the takes that veer off course, stretch logic, lose footing, or collapse under scrutiny.
Three rumors. Three rulings. Draft week brings bluster.
This round focuses on trades, the future at general manager, and a downward-trending draft theory.
These Latest Vikings Rumors Fall Apart under Scrutiny
The Vikings Nopedy Nopes just a few days before the draft.
The Nopedy Nope: Dolphins RB De’Von Achane is in play for the Vikings via trade.
Because the Vikings now employ Frank Smith, Achane’s offensive coordinator over the last three years, Minnesota made sense as a trade destination — if the Dolphins were willing to offload him.
But Miami has no interest.
Talking to the media on Wednesday, Miami general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan touched on Achane trade rumors, stating, “He’s not available for trade. Things are going good. We’ve had some positive conversations over the last couple of days, trending in the right direction.”
“Obviously, he’s very important to what we’re doing. It’s part of professional sports. We’ll get where we need to be one way or another, but things are trending in the right direction.”
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper added, “While there might be an offer that changes the Dolphins’ view of holding onto Achane for the long term, it doesn’t sound like there’s much reason to believe he will be anywhere but Miami come the fall.”
Achane in Minnesota would be electric, but Sullivan isn’t selling.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Achane as a Vikings trade option. Not happening.
The Nopedy Nope: George Paton is a frontrunner to eventually replace Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as general manager.
Some rumors claimed the Vikings could tab Paton for general manager duty after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired on January 30th. That idea appears to be toast.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote earlier this month: “Some thought that Zygi and Mark Wilf were clearing a path for the return of former assistant general manager George Paton, who has spent the past five seasons as general manager of the Denver Broncos and is entering the final year of his contract.”
“Others assumed Brzezinski would eventually be promoted to the permanent role and that the Wilfs’ public neutrality on the question was mostly a function of the NFL mandate to conduct diverse search processes for every open GM job.”
The Vikings employed Paton for 13 years from 2007 to 2020.
Seifert continued, “Based on conversations in Phoenix, it’s clear that neither scenario has begun materializing — raising the real possibility that the organization will go through a second change of direction in a matter of months.”
“There are no indications that Paton is on his way out in Denver or wants to leave. ESPN senior national NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler reported that Paton appears set to return, and Broncos coach Sean Payton has expressed hope that Paton will sign a contract extension.”
It seems Paton will stay on as the Broncos’ general manager.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Paton as an Adofo-Mensah replacement plan.
The Nopedy Nope: Jadarian Price could be the Vikings’ next RB1.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton analyzed a handful of players who could sneak into the 1st-Round later this week, and Price qualified, the only RB to do so.
He wrote, “NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes Jadarian Price will be the second tailback off the board and may sneak into the first round within a shallow class of ball-carriers.”
“Jeremiyah Love, a projected first-rounder, and Price played together through three terms with the Fighting Irish. The former took on the featured role after Audric Estime’s departure to the NFL, while the latter served in a complementary role.”
Price has usually been considered a safe 2nd-Round pick.
“Although Price didn’t rack up more than 746 yards in a single collegiate term, he averaged at least six yards per carry and scored 18 touchdowns over the last two years. After a couple of seasons as Notre Dame’s No. 2 running back, Price may have more to offer a team that wants a decisive early-down ball-carrier who can also contribute on special teams,” Moton continued.
“He returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in college. Most of the league’s clubs featured multiple running backs, so don’t discount one of them taking Price on Day 1.”
Some think the Seattle Seahawks could use their 32nd pick on Price, mainly because they just won the Super Bowl and seem like they have a house-money roster.
Minnesota doesn’t pick again after No. 18 until No. 47, diminishing the hopes of Price turning purple.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Price in the Vikings’ organic draft range.
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