All Things 2025 Minnesota Vikings Off-Season Thread

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Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
We'll see how it all shakes out but Booker at #24 wouldn't be terrible from what I've heard. They could easily trade back out of the 1st to get a few more picks.

Apparently there are some pretty decent economical IOL folks available that are a lot cheaper than the Chiefs OG that everyone wants so desperately to sign; $20M for a OG is not a great use of resources. There are some good players the Vikings can sign that won't break the bank.

They'll address CB in Free Agency I would think; adding to Blackmon, McGlothern, and hopefully Byron Murphy.

Luke Braun on Locked On Vikings has addressed Dallas Turner on a number of occasions, for anyone losing their minds over his contribution in Year 1; a 21-yr old playing behind 2 Pro Bowlers, what more could you expect. He also dives a lot into what they ask Turner (and that position) to do; Turner drops back in coverage, a lot, which would obviously also cut into his Sacks and Pressure numbers. Also didn't realize that while Turner was 21 yrs old, Jared Verse of the Rams was 24 yrs old. That's a massive gap for anyone screaming they should have taken Verse instead, not to mention the two teams ask those two players to do completely different things.
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It's not worth arguing about and feel free to shred it ... but we could've had Verse, and I bet he plays a lot more here in year 1.

Hopefully DTurner catches up quick and has a great career.


Bolded 2: when/if we actually do land the next John Randle, then I'll worry about if he can only play here 10 years instead of 13 years.
 

golf said:
Given Kwesi's track record, I think a lot of Vikes fans would be very nervous about him trading.
We are all aware of his first draft, but also we gave up a lot of draft capital to grab Dallas Hunter last year. While I still feel good about Hunter, he is no sure thing at this point.
Don't get fancy, Kwesi. Three words: Best Player Available.

(Just a reminder: To move up 6 spots in the first round and grab Hunter, the Vikes gave up:
2024 1st rounder and 5th rounder
2025 3rd rounder and 4th rounder)
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Kwesi's thing has always been data and analytics driven decisions.

I think that works great for Free Agency, where there is a lot of data already on what a guy can do in the NFL.

But so far it has not worked for the draft.


Addison is one of the best taken and Kwesi wanted to trade back out of that pick. Have to wonder if KOC put his foot down on taking McCarthy last year, as well.
 

GopherGrit said:
Bolded 2: when/if we actually do land the next John Randle, then I'll worry about if he can only play here 10 years instead of 13 years.
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I can't speak for Ogee, but I think the age difference is more about a 21 yr old still having more potential for growth than one already at age 24. At that age, one would assume a much lower ceiling, at least physically.

Another aspect it seems like a better bet to have a player potentially for 9 seasons in their 20s as opposed to 6 (especially for a defensive player). If Turner is good enough for a 2nd contract, he'll still under or right at 30 when that's finished.

To be fair though, if a team gets 6 good seasons out of any player, they are already playing with house money (with respect to the original Draft value).

Even good ones beyond 6 seasons can be cost prohibitive on that second deal.
 
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Ope3 said:
I can't speak for Ogee, but I think the age difference is more about a 21 yr old still having more potential for growth than one already at age 24. At that age, one would assume a much lower ceiling, at least physically.

Another aspect it seems like a better bet to have a player potentially for 9 seasons in their 20s as opposed to 6 (especially for a defensive player). If Turner is good enough for a 2nd contract, he'll still under or right at 30 when that's finished.

To be fair though, if a team gets 6 good seasons out of any player, they are already playing with house money (with respect to the original Draft value).

Even good ones beyond 6 seasons can be cost prohibitive on that second deal.
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All that. Yes.

And Verse starts for the Rams, and they drafted him to start. The Vikings drafted Turner knowing they had Van Ginkel and Greenard, and could play the long game with Turner
 

And as little as I saw the Vikings live or even in highlights, when Turner flashed, it was noticeable--he has the look of a guy who can be a nightmare for years to come. Might not happen, but I'm puzzled about the criticism on the pick at this point, especially as mentioned, he was playing behind Greenard and Van Ginkel this season.
 


coolhandgopher said:
And as little as I saw the Vikings live or even in highlights, when Turner flashed, it was noticeable--he has the look of a guy who can be a nightmare for years to come. Might not happen, but I'm puzzled about the criticism on the pick at this point, especially as mentioned, he was playing behind Greenard and Van Ginkel this season.
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Both are Pro Bowlers Starters as well.
 

Thor Nystrom gives a report from Senior Bowl week. The dline and rb classes did not disappoint, says he.

Thor says Vikes will take three big swings in free agency. Says his preferences are Trey Smith(ol), Milton Williams(dl), and DJ Reed(cb). Wants one player in free agency from each of those three positions. That way will not be necessarily locked into selecting a position during the draft.
 
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coolhandgopher said:
And as little as I saw the Vikings live or even in highlights, when Turner flashed, it was noticeable--he has the look of a guy who can be a nightmare for years to come. Might not happen, but I'm puzzled about the criticism on the pick at this point, especially as mentioned, he was playing behind Greenard and Van Ginkel this season.
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I think that based upon this past season it is hard to make a certain judgment regarding Hunter.

Wouldn't be surprising if he became an all pro. Also wouldn't be surprising if he was a bust. Or somewhere in between.

Just what it is at this point.
 
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golf said:
Thor Nystrom gives a report from Senior Bowl week. The dline and rb classes did not disappoint, says he.

Thor says Vikes will take three big swings in free agency. Says his preferences are Trey Smith(ol), Milton Williams(dl), and DJ Reed(cb). Wants one player in free agency from each of those three positions. That way will not be necessarily locked into selecting a position during the draft.
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I like the idea of picking up DJ Reed at CB. Absolutely.

I think Vikings fans can forget about the pipe dream of adding OG Trey Smith from the Chiefs. There is zero chance this Front Office is committing $20M+ to a Guard when they are paying borderline elite money to both OT's (not to mention Jefferson). Smith will have a big market, it won't be the Vikings.

The gap from Smith to some of the other FA's available on the IOL in Skill is not as great as the gap will be in salary. The Vikings can get a very healthy upgrade at a fraction of that cost.
 



Ogee Ogilthorpe said:
I like the idea of picking up DJ Reed at CB. Absolutely.

I think Vikings fans can forget about the pipe dream of adding OG Trey Smith from the Chiefs. There is zero chance this Front Office is committing $20M+ to a Guard when they are paying borderline elite money to both OT's (not to mention Jefferson). Smith will have a big market, it won't be the Vikings.

The gap from Smith to some of the other FA's available on the IOL in Skill is not as great as the gap will be in salary. The Vikings can get a very healthy upgrade at a fraction of that cost.
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Will be interesting what happens with Smith. There are a few other teams that have more cap than the Vikes so maybe one of them pays him a boatload.
If other free agent guards are almost as good, then moving on to the next best should be the play
 
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Ope3 said:
I can't speak for Ogee, but I think the age difference is more about a 21 yr old still having more potential for growth than one already at age 24. At that age, one would assume a much lower ceiling, at least physically.

Another aspect it seems like a better bet to have a player potentially for 9 seasons in their 20s as opposed to 6 (especially for a defensive player). If Turner is good enough for a 2nd contract, he'll still under or right at 30 when that's finished.

To be fair though, if a team gets 6 good seasons out of any player, they are already playing with house money (with respect to the original Draft value).

Even good ones beyond 6 seasons can be cost prohibitive on that second deal.
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Bold 1: how much more potential is needed with Verse? He's already Pro Bowl, right now. That's kinda the whole point?

Bold 2: agreed. Just looking quick at a few DL off the top of my head:

Danielle Hunter - gave us 9 years (age 21-29) but missed all of 20 and good chunk of 21 with injury (we drafted him)
Jared Allen - gave us 6 years (age 26-31) after first 4 with KC (had 1 more good one, then fell off for last 2)
Kevin Williams - gave us 11 years (age 23-33, we drafted him), (had 2 more after that)
John Randle - gave us 11 years (age 23-33, we drafted him), (had 3 more after that)
 

coolhandgopher said:
And as little as I saw the Vikings live or even in highlights, when Turner flashed, it was noticeable--he has the look of a guy who can be a nightmare for years to come. Might not happen, but I'm puzzled about the criticism on the pick at this point, especially as mentioned, he was playing behind Greenard and Van Ginkel this season.
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I think the overall criticism is how bad Kwesi has been at drafting.

No one (me included certainly) is calling DTurner a bust. No way. But we could have had Verse and I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't at a minimum shared time equally with Greenard and been a menace getting after QB's. We'll never know

Would that have changed our season? Probably not. Those two had great years and were awesome FA pick-ups.

But a ton of misses in the draft, which can't happen.
 

GopherGrit said:
Bold 1: how much more potential is needed with Verse? He's already Pro Bowl, right now. That's kinda the whole point?
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If Turner never has a Pro Bowl type season or substantially fewer than Verse then it's most likely a fail by misjudging the potential (or by the coaching/training staff to not maximize the potential into actual results).
 



GopherGrit said:
I think the overall criticism is how bad Kwesi has been at drafting.

No one (me included certainly) is calling DTurner a bust. No way. But we could have had Verse and I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't at a minimum shared time equally with Greenard and been a menace getting after QB's. We'll never know

Would that have changed our season? Probably not. Those two had great years and were awesome FA pick-ups.

But a ton of misses in the draft, which can't happen.
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Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think Turner fits the 3-4 more than Verse.
 


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