The Minnesota Vikings Offseason
2022 Dream Draft Pick: Derek Stingley Jr.
The Minnesota Vikings some how found a way to fit everybody under their cap in 2022 and even signed Za'Darius Smith to given star edge rusher Danielle Hunter a good tag team partner opposite him however the Minnesota Vikings secondary needs to be bolstered and upgraded and while I think top corner Ahmad Gardner will be off the board by the 12th pick, the perfect player for them would be Derek Stingley Jr. out of LSU. He's an elite shutdown cornerback prospect like Gardner but he has fallen a but because of a lack recency throughout the draft process. He's bookend cornerback that will give the Minnesota Vikings a much more competitive pass defense.
The To-Do List
Who to cut or trade: Adam Theilen or Danielle Hunter
The Minnesota Vikings created some cap room in 2022 with the renegotiating of his massive $$45,000,000 cap hit but their two biggest concerns now heading into the season come from the contracts of Danielle Hunter and Adam Thielen who carry cap hits that don't exactly match their production in the NFL and one of them may have to go if they don't renegotiate their deals with the team.
Danielle Hunter: Danielle Hunter, when he's healthy, is an elite NFL pass rusher that can change a game at any moment for the Vikings and this defense feeds off his ability to rush the passer and at 27 years of age, he still hasn't hit his prime yet. However, he has one thing working against him, he's often hit by injuries, and the Minnesota need to consider cutting him loose from his contract. He's only played in 7 games the last couple seasons and his long term health is an issue and with a $26,000,000 cap hit in 2022 with only a $7,500,000 dead cap loss, it would benefit them greatly to consider letting him go. Danielle Hunter however in 7 games last season for the Vikings came way with 6 sacks and looked like he's still got that elite athleticism and power that has made such force off the edge. I would say that if Danielle Hunter stayed healthy for a hole season that he could challenge for the sack leader title in 2022 and considering that the Vikings struggled defensively when he wasn't on the field, his importance to this organization certainly is easy to see. The trade market for great pass rushers is always hot but when it comes to pass rushers with an injury history like Hunters, the market decreases significantly and with his cap hit in 2022 it would make the compensation for him a not worth the move. A renegotiation is likely the direction that this is headed and it would be beneficial to both parties to get one done because I can almost guarantee that if Hunter hit free agency, he wouldn't stay unemployed very long.
Adam Thielen: Adam Thielen is one of the more challenging players to keep on the roster because while he's good and reliable, his age at 31 yrs old and his $16,800,000 cap leave the Vikings at a cross roads with him and considering that he has $11,000,000 in guaranteed money, if the Vikings wanted to cut him they could be cutting off their nose to spite their face. Adam Thielen's best attribute by far is his ability to make plays in the redzone and Kirk Cousins and him do have a wave length since he's played with him and he has come close enough to his contract when it comes production to say that he's worth around what their paying him. Adam Thielen however could be a very marketable trade option in free agency because his skillset that allows him to put points on the board for teams and his relatively healthy career could entice teams that need a receiver but miss out in free agency. Thielen is not a #1 receiver in the NFL and nor is he on the Minnesota Vikings with Justin Jefferson becoming one of the best receivers in the NFL but with his contract looming in couple years, Thielen's likelihood of staying relevant and healthy could become increasingly less likely. I could see a team trading a Day 2 pick for him before the draft to pair him with good offensive unit that needs another pair of reliable hands. The Vikings could renegotiate his contract as he's a fan favorite due to his roots in Minnesota both personally, collegiately, and obviously professionally and I doubt he would want to go or play anywhere else in his NFL career. In all likelihood if they asked him to take a renegotiate his contract to create cap room, he'd be more than willing.
Verdict: Cut Danielle Hunter if you have to but you'll have to replace him in the NFL draft Day 1 and with the 12th overall pick and with potential for George Karlaftis, David Ojabo, and potentially Kayvon Thibodeaux after reports of a lackluster competitive fire, the Viking could certainly draft a competent player to take his spot and save almost $20,000,000 in the process.
Danielle Hunter: Danielle Hunter, when he's healthy, is an elite NFL pass rusher that can change a game at any moment for the Vikings and this defense feeds off his ability to rush the passer and at 27 years of age, he still hasn't hit his prime yet. However, he has one thing working against him, he's often hit by injuries, and the Minnesota need to consider cutting him loose from his contract. He's only played in 7 games the last couple seasons and his long term health is an issue and with a $26,000,000 cap hit in 2022 with only a $7,500,000 dead cap loss, it would benefit them greatly to consider letting him go. Danielle Hunter however in 7 games last season for the Vikings came way with 6 sacks and looked like he's still got that elite athleticism and power that has made such force off the edge. I would say that if Danielle Hunter stayed healthy for a hole season that he could challenge for the sack leader title in 2022 and considering that the Vikings struggled defensively when he wasn't on the field, his importance to this organization certainly is easy to see. The trade market for great pass rushers is always hot but when it comes to pass rushers with an injury history like Hunters, the market decreases significantly and with his cap hit in 2022 it would make the compensation for him a not worth the move. A renegotiation is likely the direction that this is headed and it would be beneficial to both parties to get one done because I can almost guarantee that if Hunter hit free agency, he wouldn't stay unemployed very long.
Adam Thielen: Adam Thielen is one of the more challenging players to keep on the roster because while he's good and reliable, his age at 31 yrs old and his $16,800,000 cap leave the Vikings at a cross roads with him and considering that he has $11,000,000 in guaranteed money, if the Vikings wanted to cut him they could be cutting off their nose to spite their face. Adam Thielen's best attribute by far is his ability to make plays in the redzone and Kirk Cousins and him do have a wave length since he's played with him and he has come close enough to his contract when it comes production to say that he's worth around what their paying him. Adam Thielen however could be a very marketable trade option in free agency because his skillset that allows him to put points on the board for teams and his relatively healthy career could entice teams that need a receiver but miss out in free agency. Thielen is not a #1 receiver in the NFL and nor is he on the Minnesota Vikings with Justin Jefferson becoming one of the best receivers in the NFL but with his contract looming in couple years, Thielen's likelihood of staying relevant and healthy could become increasingly less likely. I could see a team trading a Day 2 pick for him before the draft to pair him with good offensive unit that needs another pair of reliable hands. The Vikings could renegotiate his contract as he's a fan favorite due to his roots in Minnesota both personally, collegiately, and obviously professionally and I doubt he would want to go or play anywhere else in his NFL career. In all likelihood if they asked him to take a renegotiate his contract to create cap room, he'd be more than willing.
Verdict: Cut Danielle Hunter if you have to but you'll have to replace him in the NFL draft Day 1 and with the 12th overall pick and with potential for George Karlaftis, David Ojabo, and potentially Kayvon Thibodeaux after reports of a lackluster competitive fire, the Viking could certainly draft a competent player to take his spot and save almost $20,000,000 in the process.
Wide Receiver or pass rusher: Who to draft in Day 1
The Minnesota Vikings have the #12 overall pick in the draft and with looming debate come free agency about whether they should cut Adam Thielen Danielle Hunter the question now becomes who should the Vikings draft if they go in either direction and luckily for them their are phenomenal prospects at both positions and with the enhanced need for offensive lineman and corners early in the draft, the Vikings could snag a Day 1 contributor to replace either.
Pass Rushers: This draft has a phenomenal crop of pass rushers that could certainly take the reigns from Danielle Hunter and could be one of the best classes since the 2011 pass rusher class that featured Von Miler, Aldon Smith, J.J. Watt, Robert Quinn, Ryan Kerrigan, and Cam Jordan. While the best two pass rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux will be off the board, the rest of the class is still excellent.
Wide Receivers: The wide receiver class in the 2022 NFL draft is a good one with lots talented prospects throughout and luckily for the Vikings the wide receiver in need in 2022 draft isn't as high as other positions and theirs a real likelihood that the Vikings could have their picks of the litter. I wouldn't be drafting a wide receiver if Thielen is still on the roster but if they did move on from him their are at least three players that could take over his job and produce.
Pass Rushers: This draft has a phenomenal crop of pass rushers that could certainly take the reigns from Danielle Hunter and could be one of the best classes since the 2011 pass rusher class that featured Von Miler, Aldon Smith, J.J. Watt, Robert Quinn, Ryan Kerrigan, and Cam Jordan. While the best two pass rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux will be off the board, the rest of the class is still excellent.
- Kayvon Thibodeaux: Kayvon Thibodeaux is the least likely prospect to be available for the Vikings in the 2021 draft but the reason I put his name here is because he's falling a bit in the draft because work questions about work ethic combined with an injury history and if he were to somehow fall all the way to the Vikings at #12, they shouldn't wait for even a minute consider it. He's an elite pass rushing talent in the draft, he's best athlete in the draft, and he'd be at the very least bring the exact production Hunter would bring in 2022 and would only get better as he continues to play in the NFL.
- George Karlaftis: George Karlaftis is a complete opposite from Danielle Hunter but his game would certainly be well suited for the Vikings. Unlike Danielle Hunter, George Karlaftis is a pass rusher that's foundation is built around his overwhelming power and technique and while he's not a slow pass rusher, he's not the freak that Hunter is and was coming out of college. Karlaftis is lunch-pail worker on the line and has one of the highest floors in the draft and he can come into Minnesota and and absolutely dominate with his first couple years in the NFL. Karlaftis could be taken before the Vikings #12 pick because of the importance of the edge rusher position but if he finds himself available, Minnesota should snatch him up quickly.
- David Ojabo: David Ojabo is one of most likely to be available and has all the tools and traits to become a dominant edge rusher in the NFL and he has a similar build and skillset to Hunter coming out of college. He's the most raw of the pass rusher group but his instincts, athleticism, power, traits, and intangibles fit what the Vikings are looking for in a pass rusher. He would need a year or two to reach his potential but the payoff could be big for the Vikings defense.
Wide Receivers: The wide receiver class in the 2022 NFL draft is a good one with lots talented prospects throughout and luckily for the Vikings the wide receiver in need in 2022 draft isn't as high as other positions and theirs a real likelihood that the Vikings could have their picks of the litter. I wouldn't be drafting a wide receiver if Thielen is still on the roster but if they did move on from him their are at least three players that could take over his job and produce.
- Drake London: Drake London has one of the highest ceilings among the 2022 receiver class and would be a phenomenal pairing with Justin Jefferson. London is a big and athletic receiver that can win jump balls, snag passes far away from his body, and can pick yards after the catch and would give Kirk Cousiins two potential bona-fide studs at receiver that could take Kirk Cousin's game, and this team, over the top.
- Treylon Burks: Treylon Burks is perhaps the best playmaker in the entire draft and could be one of the best athletes in it as well after the NFL combine. Burks is the best run after catch player in the draft and one of the most difficult offensive weapons to corral and tackle once he has the football in his hands. He's not the most technically sound route-runner but he offers great versatility and would pair with Justin Jefferson tremendously as Jefferson would command more priority from defenses.
- Jahan Dotson: Jahan Dotson has one of the highest floors in the NFL draft with elite route-running, athleticism, and probably the best hands in the draft and would pair seamlessly with Justin Jefferson. He's capable of playing in the slot as well as on the outside and would give Kirk Cousins and extremely reliable target anywhere on the field.
Minnesota should consider drafting a quarterback
The Minnesota Vikings, after restructuring the Kirk Cousins who will now be contracted to play another year in Minnesota, have to face a decision soon as Kirk Cousins becomes 33 and will be a free agent in two years and thinking about life beyond Kirk Cousins has to debated and decided quickly within his his extension. The quarterback class in the 2022 NFL draft is not good by any means with Kenny Pickett being the only real option at the quarterback position and while I don't think the Vikings should draft a quarterback at #12, considering a Day 2 pick to spend on a quarterback shouldn't be out of the question. Not to mention the new head coach Kevin O'Connell might want to draft his own quarterback despite his own reported fandom of Kirk Cousins, which could very much be embellished to get the job, and with a bulk of this quarterback class likely to find homes in Day 2 the Vikings could take their shot at the class in the 2nd round. If a Matt Corral, Malik Willis, or a Desmond Ridder is available I would take my shot if I am the Vikings and have him develop behind Cousins until his contract expires. Each of the quarterbacks has their own pros and cons and the Vikings should pin point a quarterback they like that could be available for them in Day 2 of the draft.