Vikings mailbag: Offseason appraoch and the Ed Ingram vs. Dalton Risner conundrum highlight burning questions
The Minnesota Vikings are sitting at 8-2 with a lot of questions going into the final stretch of the 2024 season. What will the Vikings do at right guard? How is the offseason going to be prioritized? I took your questions and answered them in the latest mailbag. Extend Sam Darnold? This is a really […]
The Minnesota Vikings are sitting at 8-2 with a lot of questions going into the final stretch of the 2024 season.
What will the Vikings do at right guard? How is the offseason going to be prioritized? I took your questions and answered them in the latest mailbag.
Extend Sam Darnold?
This is a really interesting one. Right now, Darnold is playing excellent football right now and is coming off of his best game of the season against the Tennessee Titans.
Vikings Film Room: Sam Darnold’s performance vs. Titans was a bold statement toward a potential Super Bowl
It was a tremendous game from Darnold in a way you wouldn’t expect
Bringing back Darnold is going to be twofold:
- You have some concerns about J.J. McCarthy over the offseason
- Darnold has earned another season
It's not exactly simple either. Darnold could easily command big money this offseason with multiple teams potentially needing quarterbacks this offseason, especially ones who might be desperate like the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants.
If you told me I could have Darnold at that number, it would get a lot of consideration overall, but I would pass if McCarthy's knee is trending the right way like we believe it is.
Offseason strategy
When discussing the NFL Draft, a lot is going to be determined by how they navigate free agency. The Vikings are currently projected to have $75 million in salary cap space and are likely to fill a lot of needs with that money.
Once you get past free agency, everything will be determined by how the draft goes. If you have a player that you love at your spot, trading down is going to be less likely. Let the board come to you and don't force a trade. However, do take a good offer if it comes to you. It would be nice to have extra draft capital.
Dalton Risner and Ed Ingram replacement
This should absolutely be a priority.
Now, I have been the biggest Ingram defender in the fact that I believe he has been talked about in too negative of a fashion. He's at best an average guard in the NFL and I think his run blocking prowess makes him a better option for this Vikings team that Risner.
However, having a better option on the roster is a good idea. The players who could be available are Kansas City Chiefs' Trey Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers' James Daniels and Indianapolis Colts' Will Fries will likely be the best options with Fries coming off of a broken leg.
Prioritizing positions
When you talk about the allocations with these positions, it's going to be about the players. I have the needs ranked as follows:
- Pass rushing DT
- Starting CB
- Nose tackle
- RG
- Depth CB
- RB
- WR3
- S
It's worth noting that these rankings are in a vacuum and not concrete. You need to find players to fill those roles. Find the players to fill these roles and then you can fortify in the draft.
Running back in the first round?
What are the chances of, and what is your opinion of, Ashton Jeanty becoming a Viking?
— Matt (@bur7on.com) November 20, 2024 at 11:44 AM
The Vikings do have a need at running back. Aaron Jones has been great for the Vikings this year and both Cam Akers and Ty Chandler have shown some flashes, but the need for a running back is heavy at this point.
If Ashton Jeanty is available, that's a really intriguing player for the Vikings. I compared him to LaDanian Tomlinson when I scouted his film at Boise State and it fits. He would be an immediate boost to the Vikings' offense and could be a workhorse in the backfield.
Sam Darnold’s confidence continues to shine through with latest example proving he’s a franchise quarterback
Darnold has been a great asset for this team
