It has been a fascinating offseason for the Minnesota Vikings. Trading back in round one of the 2021 NFL Draft, players getting arrested, and the quarterback situation taking a turn, this team has seen a lot so far. The Vikings are a team that is looking to get over the playoff hump. They were the second-best National Football Conference team that did not make the playoffs. Now, they look to acquire some talent to get them in. As we get into rookie workouts, OTAs, and training camps, many questions still remain for the Vikings. Let’s look at some of them.
Can Kellen Mond Actually Contest Kirk Cousins‘ Job?
False. When the Vikings took Mond in the third round, it was a bit of a surprise. Sure, the quarterback play in Minnesota has been mediocre over the past few seasons, but it hasn’t necessarily been bad. Cousins is a top-15 quarterback in the league and does not seem like the issue. Off the bat, Mond will not compete with Cousins to actually take his job. Where this gets interesting is a couple of years down the road. Cousins is under contract until 2022, and by then, he’ll be 34 years old. If Mond can develop over these next two years into the franchise guy, this will be a fantastic draft pick. Otherwise, don’t expect to see Mond much, or at all, next season.
Did the Vikings Nail the Draft?
True. This was a phenomenal draft for Minnesota and one that has flown under the radar from the media. The Vikings are a team looking for both immediate and future talent, and they got a great mix of both. Trading back in the first round and still getting Christian Darrisaw was amazing. However, it didn’t stop there. Every single one of their picks in this draft was a good one. Guys like Chazz Surratt, Patrick Jones II, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and Wyatt Davis should provide some nice help early. Other players like Mond, Camryn Bynum, and Jaylen Twyman will look to get their shot sometime down the road. Minnesota really needed to ace this draft, and they did just that.
Can Justin Jefferson Mirror His Stellar 2020 Campaign?
True. While it may be hard to put up the same crazy numbers he did in 2020, Jefferson can definitely repeat his success in 2021. He has an insane toolbox and can get open, seemingly, at will. He also has the advantage of having Adam Thielen opposite him, putting some serious pressure on defenses. If head coach Mike Zimmer can continue to use Jefferson to the best of his abilities, we are looking at a superstar in this league.
Can the Vikings Defense Bounce Back?
True. Last season was a bit of a down year for the Vikings’ defense. They ranked in the bottom 10 in both passing and run defense. It’s hard to get much worse from where they were, especially with some of their talent. The team will get Danielle Hunter back from injury and have added many key players through the draft. They also brought in cornerback Patrick Peterson to help bolster the secondary. Peterson will also compensate for the loss of Jeff Gladney, who is facing felony charges of up to 10 years in prison. The defense should see some overall improvement in 2021, but don’t expect them to be a top-tier unit.
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2 Responses
Nice article Charlie. I’m hoping that Surrat is actually moved to strong safety to play along side Harrison Smith. The ex-QB would be a forced in stopping the run and should have the knowledge to master pass coverage’s as well.