Minnesota Vikings News and Links:  53 Man Predictions

As we slog through the summer break, we will have to entertain ourselves with predictions, or worse, mock drafts.

What is your 53 man prediction?

Minnesota Vikings post-minicamp 53-man roster projection

Quarterbacks (3)

Running backs and fullback (4)

Wide receivers (6)

Tight ends (3)

Offensive linemen (9)

Defensive linemen (6)

Outside linebackers (5)

Linebackers (4)

Safeties (4)

Cornerbacks (6)

Specialists (3)

Only slight surprise that I have with this prediction is Brian Asamoah and only 9 offensive linemen.

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Minnesota Vikings News and Links

Vikings three-year Super Bowl plan for QB J.J. McCarthy led to passing on Aaron Rodgers, per report

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Vikings passed on Rodgers because they have a three-year plan which they believe will lead to a Super Bowl. Part of this plan includes a young quarterback the franchise believes in, who is on a cheap rookie contract. This allows the Vikings extra financial flexibility which they can be aggressive with in other areas of their roster.

“As was told to me, the Vikings feel like J.J. McCarthy in Day 9 of these workouts was a lot stronger than Day 1,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “Coming off that knee issue, they knew he could start a little slowly. They like the way he’s throwing the ball. They feel very comfortable with where he’s at going into training camp. They didn’t sign Rodgers and went with McCarthy because they believe in their three-year plan, a young quarterback they like on a rookie scale so can be aggressive on the roster. They believe they can win a Super Bowl in the next three years.”

We’ve already seen this plan in action. According to Over The Cap, the New England Patriots are the only NFL team that spent more money in free agency than the Vikings. This offseason, Minnesota added Pro Bowl defensive linemen in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, plus two former Indianapolis Colts offensive linemen, Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, who will keep McCarthy upright as he throws to a talented cast that includes Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.

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Eric Wilson Adding Leadership Role in Return to Vikings

Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels spoke about Wilson’s impact both on defense and special teams.

“The addition of Eric Wilson has been huge for us. This guy has done nothing but come in and really be a second coach in the meeting room and on the practice field,” Daniels told Twin Cities media members. “Eric is an eight-year vet. He pours so much into the young guys just from a, ‘Hey, I see it this way, you know, I can help you out this way. Think of it like this.’ Just his insight into what today’s game truly looks like to help those young guys out.”

Head Coach Kevin O’Connell also credited Wilson and his influence on the team.

“He hasn’t changed one bit. I was not here previously with him, but he made a tremendous impact on so many folks in this organization,” O’Connell said. “I know there were a lot of people celebrating getting him back here. That’s for football reasons, that’s for the locker room, former teammates. So couldn’t be happier with ‘E-Dub’ for sure.”

Wilson played in every game during his tenure with the Vikings from 2017-2020, making an impact as a linebacker, as well as on special teams.

The Michigan native reflected on why he wanted to come back to where it all started.

“I always loved it, every year. When I was first here, I loved it; it was a great place to start off,” Wilson said. “Good guys, class-A organization and nothing but love for everyone here, so I’m happy to be back.”

The 30-year-old has played in a few different systems over the years, but for him, there’s an extra spark he likes about being able to play for Brian Flores.

“From him personally, I like the transparency and the energy that he brings to the team,” he explained. “Defensively, I love the versatility of it. We talk a lot about the high I.Q. and being a ball player, knowing what you’re supposed to do and where you’re supposed to be; I appreciate that aspect.”

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Vikings New Cornerbacks Quickly Connecting with System & Team

The 2025 Vikings cornerbacks are young on paper. Byron Murphy, Jr., is 27 years old. Isaiah Rodgers has him edged by 11 days. Their track records may serve as pseudo-equalizers; Murphy ventured to the Pro Bowl for the first time in six seasons after plucking six picks in 2024, and the free agency procured Rodgers has risen to his feet for Year 5, and his first wearing Purple, after a supine celebration in Super Bowl LIX confetti.

They’re the elders of the group – granted, its ripe average age shouldn’t be slighted.

Mekhi Blackmon (26), Keenan Garber (24), Kahlef Hailassie (24), Dwight “Nudie” McGlothern (23), Jeff Okudah (26), Reddy Steward (24), Ambry Thomas (25) and Zemaiah Vaughn (23) round out the room, alphabetically. Last season, 34-year-old Stephon Gilmore and 29-year-old Shaq Griffin were leaned on heavily.

Both are free agents now, which creates an opportunity for Murphy and Rodgers to lead. They’ve done well, so far, as nifty interceptors in 7-on-7 drills and natural communicators of Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores’ cunning scheme throughout Organized Team Activity and mandatory minicamp practices.

At his first press conference Tuesday afternoon since the abrupt ending of last year’s 14-win season, Flores spoke glowingly of the corners under his tutelage and elaborated on a few newbies specifically.

“All these guys bring a level of, there’s experience there,” said Flores, “but also talent that [we] can’t have enough of at that position.” He concluded he’s “really excited” about the entire group’s makeup.

Blackmon will be a fresh insert to the 2025 lineup after missing his second pro season because of a torn ACL suffered in the first practice of 2024 training camp. But he has some coursework completed toward a degree in Flores’ defense (SEE: three starts and one interception in 15 games as a rookie) and rehabbed with a vengeance.

“I mean, it was incredible, honestly,” Flores said proudly.

“I remember, we’re not late in the year, but we’re [in], you know, October, November, [and] he’s up, he’s moving around, he’s training, and it was kind of a running joke, ‘I’ll see you in two weeks,’ “ Flores recalled. “And now we’re here and, you know, seeing him back out on the field is really a testament to his work ethic, his want-to, his belief in himself – just his overall ability to get back as quickly as he could and get himself out here so he could compete and do what he loves. And that’s what we’re looking for. I think K.O. (Kevin O’Connell) [has] said it many times: We want guys who love to play, who love the grind of it, who love the practice element, the studying element, the meetings. That’s certainly Mekhi.”

Blackmon’s comeback story resonated with teammates, as well.

“I’ve been super excited about that because that’s like my little brother,” Murphy commented. “Obviously, he’s been in the building a long time putting that work in. I just think he’s been very good mindset-wise. A lot of challenges come with that, but I feel like he’s just been in the right mindset.”

Even an addition such as Rodgers is realizing Minnesota is privy to beyond-their-years cornerback depth.

“[They’re] great guys, a lot of young guys, too, but no one in the room that’s just immature,” Rodgers noted last week. “Everyone’s bought in, everyone’s just trying to figure out how to get on the field and make plays, and we’re all just one big brotherhood, you know, no beefing in the room. It’s great energy.”

Flores touted Rodgers’ “football IQ and acumen” and commended the cornerback’s professionalism as he’s synergized, expeditiously, with a secondary returning three players in Murphy, along with safeties Harrison Smith and Joshua Metellus, who logged approximately 1,000 snaps on defense last season.

The quick communication integration can be chalked up to a couple different things, including the players’ capacity to store, process and disseminate information, and their knack for relationship-building.

Rodgers possesses both attributes, and so does Okudah, whom Flores mentioned in the same breath.

“We haven’t talked about him [yet], but I’ll mention him,” Flores remarked. “Similar to Zay … between lifts, and walkthroughs and meetings, and trying to build a rapport with the guys in the backend, but also the guys at the second level and asking questions – both guys have been great from that standpoint.”

“I think the cool thing about the room we’re in is that the cornerbacks and safeties meet together, so we’re able to cultivate those relationships,” Okudah shared. “It’s been awesome having guys who are younger, guys around the same age and guys like Harrison Smith who have been around for a while.

“I was looking around the room the other day and thinking, his first year was 2012, and I think 2012, I was probably in seventh grade or something like that,” Okudah added, amazingly. “So, it’s pretty cool to see everyone come from different backgrounds. It’s like a melting pot, all the different experiences.”

“I’ve already told those guys that I would get a house anywhere they want so that way we could all link up before camp,” Murphy said. “I’m waiting for them to let me know where they want to go, so I put that on me. Whenever they let me know, we are all gonna go somewhere and get some work in.”

“One of the main pillars, I would say, of building a successful defense is communication,” Flores said. “And the best communicators have relationships that are built through conversation; and it’s not just on the field or in the meeting room or in a walk-through. It’s in the locker room, it’s over dinner, it’s bowling; it’s those types of fellowship events where those relationships are built and they show up on Sundays.”

“My hope is that we build a team that’s unselfish, that is looking for, not necessarily the accolades for themselves, but the accolades for the group, and if you make a play, then I’m excited, and if I make a play, you’re excited,” Flores detailed. “Last year, they came up with dances to build that rapport. I don’t know, who knows what it’ll be this year. But that energy, that vibe, it’s something that’s exciting.

“I tell them, it’s not gonna come from me. That’s not me. I’m gonna always be thinking about the next play,” Flores continued. “But my joy comes from watching them have excitement [and] fun on the field.”

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NFC North secondary rankings: Do Vikings have enough on the back end?

3. Vikings

Corners: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, Tavierre Thomas, Dwight McGlothern

Safeties: Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward

The Vikings’ most glaring non-quarterback area of concern on their roster is at the cornerback position, where they’ve replaced Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin with younger players in Rodgers and Okudah. Re-signed to a big deal coming off a Pro Bowl nod, Murphy is a clear-cut CB1, so the Vikings are in better shape than Green Bay. They also have big expectations for Rodgers, who was with the Eagles last season. But Blackmon is coming off of missing last year with a torn ACL and Okudah is on his fourth team in as many seasons. That’s why there’s been speculation about the idea of Minnesota going after someone like Alexander or Jalen Ramsey.

The safety room is still strong, even after losing Camryn Bynum to the Colts in free agency. Smith continues to play quality football despite his age, Metellus is the ultimate versatile playmaker for Brian Flores, and Jackson has been biding his time behind the scenes to be ready for a major role. The Vikings believe Jackson can step in for Bynum without too much of a drop-off in production and reliability.

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Former Alabama Crimson Tide star named NFL bust candidate after rough rookie year with Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have been talking up one of their 2024 first-round draft picks this offseason, and it’s not quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

EDGE Dallas Turner took a back seat to veterans Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel during his rookie season, playing just 28% of Minnesota’s defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference.

While head coach Kevin O’Connell has hinted at an increased role for Turner in Year 2, exactly how he’s deployed along with Minnesota’s pair of established starters remains to be seen.

If Turner, a player the Vikings paid a hefty price to land with the 17th overall pick in 2024, fades to the background once again in Brian Flores’ defense, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder is ready to slap the “bust” label on the former Alabama Crimson Tide star.

“Van Ginkel is coming off a career year with a personal-best 11.5 sacks to earn a Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro bid. Meanwhile, Greenard has had back-to-back double-digit sack campaigns, logging 12 in 2024 while also making the Pro Bowl,” Holder wrote. “So, Turner has an uphill battle to crack the starting lineup and could have a tough time seeing the field again.”

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Sam Darnold’s former Vikings teammate Justin Jefferson named NFL’s best WR

If new Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is going to prove that his 2024 seasoin with the Minnesota Vikings wasn’t a fluke, he’ll have to prove he’s more than just the supporting cast around him.

Jefferson, who turned 26 on Monday, has been an absolute monster since entering the league in 2020. He’s had more than 1,000 yards in each of his five seasons, and his average of 96.5 yards per game is the most in NFL history. He and Darnold made for a great pairing last season, as he had 103 receptions for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns, tied for the most in his career.

Recently, Sportsnaut’s Matt Johnson named Jefferson as the NFL’s best wide receiver, a well-deserved honor.

“Justin Jefferson is the best wide receiver in the NFL and he’s on a trajectory to be one of the best receivers ever,” Johnson wrote. “The Minnesota Vikings‘ sensation enters 2025 with the NFL record for receiving yards per game (96.5). Putting that into greater perspective, the next closest player (Ja’Marr Chase) is at 87.5 receiving yards per game.

“Even with Jefferson only playing 10 games in 2023, he has the NFL record for most receiving yards through five seasons (7,432). The second-closest player, Torry Holt, had 6,784 receiving yards in 80 games. We should all wait another decade before calling him one of the best receivers ever, but he’s certainly the best wide receiver in the NFL right now.”

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Monday Morning Mailbag: Minicamp Wrap, QB Arm Strength

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Yore Mock

Trade Recap

Trade Partner: Saints

Sent: Pick 18, Pick 211

Received: Pick 35, Pick 67, 2027 NO 2nd

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Trade Partner: Eagles

Sent: Pick 82

Received: Pick 96, Pick 129

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35. Jalon Kilgore CB South Carolina 6’1” 211

50. Zane Durant DT Penn State 6’1” 292

67. Blake Miller OT Clemson 6’6” 315

96. Derrick Moore EDGE Michigan 6’3” 256

115. Logan Jones OC Iowa 6’3” 302

129. Darius Taylor RB Minnesota 6’0” 215

201. Bud Clark S TCU 6’2” 185

210. Chase Roberts WR BYU 6’4” 210

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