Vikings 2021 Offseason Thread

[Porckchop]

Decastro just got released by Pitt.

[bleedspeed]

Decastro just got released by Pitt.

I saw that. It sounds like the Steelers kind of disrespected him. If he was healthy he could be a hell of a player. He is supposed to be a le to play in any system.

[bleedspeed]

WR Biggest position of risk? I tend to agree since Thielen has not been an ironman at the position.

https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/28/vikings-biggest-risk-listed-as-ignoring-the-wide-receiver-position/

[Monster]

WR Biggest position of risk? I tend to agree since Thielen has not been an ironman at the position.

https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/2021/06/28/vikings-biggest-risk-listed-as-ignoring-the-wide-receiver-position/

Idk I don't exactly feel super confident in the LB depth either. The Vikings have done more to shore that up but still.

I do agree with your take that the Vikings don't have high end receivers in guys like Bisi and Beebe (maybe Osborn becomes worthwhile as a WR) but I still think those guys are guys that can make enough plays (if healthy) to help the offense keep going along. If what we saw from Conklin last year is legit in the passing game (and Irv Smith stays healthy) that helps the WR situation because you have big dudes on running routes etc.

How much earlier are people wanting the Vikings to address WR in the draft? 1st round and 3rd round were addressing needs on the roster also...and taking a chance on a QB. Was there a guy a lot better than Ihmir Smith-Marsette when they picked the RB Kene Nwangwu in the 4th round? That's 38 picks earlier than when they addressed the position in the 5th round with Smith-Marsette .

FWIW I don't know how much I love the pick of Kene Nwangwu in the 4th round. I like the player and think it might end up being a solid selection but idk if that was the spot to take a RB. I didn't do research to say who should have been taken there but maybe another spot could have been filled. I think taking a RB made sense somewhere though as it is a spot they need to fill and Mattison will likely get a bigger contract at some point whether that's from the Vikings or somewhere else.

At this point I personally feel like giving the Vikings a bit of the benefit of the doubt for what they are doing at the WR position. They aren't hitting on every WR but they got a guy in Bisi that I think is a worthwhile player Beebe an undrafted guy with some skills and obviously they did well with Jefferson...if they get someone a little more exciting than Bisi on the roster that would be nice. Bisi better start making some contributions on ST (even as a coverage guy) or eventually that could hurt his ability to stay on an NFL roster unless he really makes some progress as a WR.

[bleedspeed]

When does camp start?

I was not excited about investing more draft capital early on WR. I was thinking maybe a more vet FA, but we have not done well with them. Smith-Marsette though could be a legit player

LB depth is a concern. Barr and Kendricks have not been Ironman types. I worry, but that Chaz Surratt could be a steal in the draft. I think we need to go earlier on an LB next year if Surratt doesn't show much this year.

Nwangwu is an interesting pick. He is a special teamer both as a gunner and return guy, but could be a 3rd RB. It is odd having RB that was not the primary ball carrier on his team being drafted so early.

Mond needs all the reps he can get in camp. It sounded like he was behind Stanley and Browning in OTA. No more games get this kid as many reps as he can take.

[Monster]

When does camp start?

I was not excited about investing more draft capital early on WR. I was thinking maybe a more vet FA, but we have not done well with them. Smith-Marsette though could be a legit player

LB depth is a concern. Barr and Kendricks have not been Ironman types. I worry, but that Chaz Surratt could be a steal in the draft. I think we need to go earlier on an LB next year if Surratt doesn't show much this year.

Nwangwu is an interesting pick. He is a special teamer both as a gunner and return guy, but could be a 3rd RB. It is odd having RB that was not the primary ball carrier on his team being drafted so early.

Mond needs all the reps he can get in camp. It sounded like he was behind Stanley and Browning in OTA. No more games get this kid as many reps as he can take.

The first practice fans can view is July 28 so camp will be here pretty quickly.

I'm also excited about Surrat but we both agree the depth there could be a concern. There was someone I think it was on YouTube that said Tyro Dye showed some very good recognition last year he was just not strong enough. Maybe he gets stronger/improves technique and becomes solid. That would help.

The FAs the Vikings have signed cheap all looked like solid signs but part of the reason they haven't really worked out was the Vikings have added players via the draft UDFA etc that were actually kinda good. Maybe we should just avoid any former Titans WRs? Lol

Nwangwu is one of those guys that ended up being behind good players. Davis Montgomery is a starting NFL back and Breece Hall looks to be an NFL draft pick. As bad as the ST was for the Vikings last year there may have been a little added value to drafting a guy that actually has played ST for years already. Spielman said multiple times there were fewer drafte able guys this year so they may not have felt as good about going the undrafted route to get a RB as they may have in the past. Nwangwu Has already played the role he will start this team on in college a backup and seems to relish the challenge. He is pretty athletic.

I'm interested to see any of the other younger QBs. It sounds like Browning separated himself in the OTAs from Stanley not that he was wildly impressive or anything.

[bleedspeed]

Yeah no more Titan WRs.

I forgot how good the RB were in front of Nwangwu. He is a gifted athlete for sure and having them is always a plus.

The Vikings have been very good getting lower-tier draftees and UDFA to add functional depth. 15 days is not very far away. Summer goes so quick.

[bleedspeed]

Good read. I agree, but I think we all want to ignore it.

https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/why-the-vikings-offensive-line-might-not-be-better-next-season-reiff-darrisaw/

[Monster]

Good read. I agree, but I think we all want to ignore it.

https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/why-the-vikings-offensive-line-might-not-be-better-next-season-reiff-darrisaw/

If I remember right Jeff Diamond broke down the numbers about how likely a guy like Wyatt Davis picked where're he was to be even average at his position eventually much less his rookie year. It's probably not a surprise but the numbers weren't good. He also went on to say how he was behind other guys in OTAs and also didn't look like he was pushing anyone etc. of Course Darrisaw hadn't been on the field much but Diamond did say he though Darrisaw would be solid his rookie year which would be a slight downgrade from Reiff.

Health is a legit concern and it was a spot the Vikings were in fairly good shape last year. Are any of the other young guys the Vikings developed taking a step forward? Is Mason Cole an upgrade over any interior player the Vikings played last year? 1 injury at Tackle I still feel reasonably good about Rashod Hill stepping in and being serviceable. It feels like Cole should be plenty serviceable as a C if called upon. Again the problem with this line isn't just lack of talent it's high end talent especially inside. Having said that if Cleveland becomes an average guard and stays healthy that would be pretty huge. It would make him the best interior Olineman they have had since what Berger or what's that guy's name they waived after one year and he probably left the game because of concussions.

[bleedspeed]

Wyatt Davis is interesting since he was a multiyear All-American that slipped a little due to injury concerns.

I do think it does paint the pitcher of what to expect though. Elfein certainly can't be considered a bust as a 3rd rounder but was a disappointment after his rookie year.

This team does have a chance to have a young solid line if things come together. That is a big if. It will be interesting how Brian O'Neill's contract works out.

https://thevikingage.com/2021/07/17/market-value-minnesota-vikings-brian-oneill-taylor-moton/