Post by Purple Pain on Jan 24, 2024 10:32:05 GMT -6
Purple Insider - Future of the Vikings, Part 1: Defensive line
Purple Insider - Future of the Vikings, Part 4: The offensive line
Options in free agency
There is a bevy of big-name players along the defensive line who are scheduled to hit free agency but some will likely sign extensions with their teams. Here are some of the best options…
Edge rushers
Miami, Andrew Van Ginkel (6.0 sacks, 8th highest PFF graded edge rusher out of 122)
Jacksonville, Josh Allen (17.5 sacks, 11th)
Buffalo, AJ Epenesa (6.5 sacks, 25th)
New York Jets, Bryce Huff (10.0 sacks, 29th)
Houston, Jonathan Greenard (12.5 sacks, 32nd)
Carolina, Brian Burns (8.0 sacks, 40th)
San Francisco, Chase Young (7.5 sacks, 38th)
Kansas City, Mike Danna (6.5 sacks, 60th)
New England, Josh Uche (3.0 sacks, 94th)
Defensive tackles
Miami, Christian Wilkins (9.0 sacks, 24th)
Kansas City, Chris Jones (10.0 sacks, 8th)
Seattle, Leonard Williams (5.5 sacks, 19th)
Cincinnati, DJ Reader (1.0 sacks, 12th)
Baltimore, Justin Madubuike (13.0 sacks, 23rd)
Atlanta, Sheldon Rankins (6.0 sacks, 49th)
Options in the draft
Heading into the draft, there does not appear to be much buzz for the interior defensive line class. The website NFL Mock Draft Database lists only one defensive tackle as being projected as a first-round pick (Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton). Other names to watch as potential options for the Vikings in the second round include Miami’s Leonard Taylor, Michigan DT Kris Jenkins, and two Texas DTs T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy.
The edge rushers are expected to be more robust in the first round. Here are the players the database has presently projected as first rounders: Dallas Turner (Alabama), Laiatu Latu (UCLA), Jared Verse (Florida State), Demeioun Robinson (Penn State), Bralen Trice (Washington).
However, the early projections have a drop off between top talent between first-round prospects and the rest of the group. If the Vikings want a difference-making pass rusher, they may need to spend the 11th overall pick on that player.
The bottom line
The cupboard is bare along the Vikings defensive line and how much they can fix by opening day 2024 depends on how much capital they can invest. Decisions at edge rusher and defensive tackle tie into what the Vikings do at quarterback more than any other position group.
If they bring Kirk Cousins back then free agent dollars will be more limited but they will be able to spend their first-round pick on the D-line. If Cousins is not back then they can bring back Hunter or go big-game hunting at defensive tackle and edge rusher but would be limited in draft capital to acquire players to develop along the line for the future.
The only way to split the difference would be making serious sacrifices to the future with the salary cap. That is a possible approach if the Vikings feel they are a D-line away from being a serious contender. But the Davenport signing shows that one bust signing can have long-term effects on the cap.
There is a bevy of big-name players along the defensive line who are scheduled to hit free agency but some will likely sign extensions with their teams. Here are some of the best options…
Edge rushers
Miami, Andrew Van Ginkel (6.0 sacks, 8th highest PFF graded edge rusher out of 122)
Jacksonville, Josh Allen (17.5 sacks, 11th)
Buffalo, AJ Epenesa (6.5 sacks, 25th)
New York Jets, Bryce Huff (10.0 sacks, 29th)
Houston, Jonathan Greenard (12.5 sacks, 32nd)
Carolina, Brian Burns (8.0 sacks, 40th)
San Francisco, Chase Young (7.5 sacks, 38th)
Kansas City, Mike Danna (6.5 sacks, 60th)
New England, Josh Uche (3.0 sacks, 94th)
Defensive tackles
Miami, Christian Wilkins (9.0 sacks, 24th)
Kansas City, Chris Jones (10.0 sacks, 8th)
Seattle, Leonard Williams (5.5 sacks, 19th)
Cincinnati, DJ Reader (1.0 sacks, 12th)
Baltimore, Justin Madubuike (13.0 sacks, 23rd)
Atlanta, Sheldon Rankins (6.0 sacks, 49th)
Options in the draft
Heading into the draft, there does not appear to be much buzz for the interior defensive line class. The website NFL Mock Draft Database lists only one defensive tackle as being projected as a first-round pick (Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton). Other names to watch as potential options for the Vikings in the second round include Miami’s Leonard Taylor, Michigan DT Kris Jenkins, and two Texas DTs T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy.
The edge rushers are expected to be more robust in the first round. Here are the players the database has presently projected as first rounders: Dallas Turner (Alabama), Laiatu Latu (UCLA), Jared Verse (Florida State), Demeioun Robinson (Penn State), Bralen Trice (Washington).
However, the early projections have a drop off between top talent between first-round prospects and the rest of the group. If the Vikings want a difference-making pass rusher, they may need to spend the 11th overall pick on that player.
The bottom line
The cupboard is bare along the Vikings defensive line and how much they can fix by opening day 2024 depends on how much capital they can invest. Decisions at edge rusher and defensive tackle tie into what the Vikings do at quarterback more than any other position group.
If they bring Kirk Cousins back then free agent dollars will be more limited but they will be able to spend their first-round pick on the D-line. If Cousins is not back then they can bring back Hunter or go big-game hunting at defensive tackle and edge rusher but would be limited in draft capital to acquire players to develop along the line for the future.
The only way to split the difference would be making serious sacrifices to the future with the salary cap. That is a possible approach if the Vikings feel they are a D-line away from being a serious contender. But the Davenport signing shows that one bust signing can have long-term effects on the cap.
Purple Insider - Future of the Vikings, Part 4: The offensive line
Free agent options
If the Vikings do not bring back Risner at left guard then they will be in the market for a free agent guard with no other options presently on the roster. Here are the top available players and PFF grades…
Baltimore, Kevin Zeitler (21st run blocking / 2nd pass blocking)
Las Vegas, Greg Van Roten (12th run / 7th pass)
Los Angeles, Kevin Dotson (2nd run / 20th pass)
Seattle, Damien Lewis (38th run / 27th pass)
Green Bay, Jon Runyan (48th run / 28th pass)
Baltimore, John Simpson (40th pass / 32nd pass)
Detroit, Jonah Jackson (34th run / 36th pass)
Detroit, Graham Glasgow (4th run / 41st pass)
As far as depth options, the team may want players like Quessenberry and Schlottmann back in the mix but there is competition for depth linemen. Even Mason Cole got a contract equal to Garrett Bradbury in annual value last offseason because the Steelers desperately needed a center. If they lose the established quality backups that will mean even more shopping on the market.
Draft options
Considering the Vikings have put a lot of draft capital into the offensive line already and have deep needs on the defensive side, it would not make much sense to spend a first or second-round pick on a guard. The most likely approach would be using a late-round pick on a developmental interior lineman.
The bottom line
The Vikings offensive line is in better shape than it has been in a very long time but the boat still has some leaks. While their pass blocking was excellent overall it’s unclear whether the Vikings will be able to give Dalton Risner the highest bid in free agency or if they want him back considering his weakness in run blocking. There should be an aim to improve in that area. It also remains questionable whether next year will mark another jump at right guard or if Ingram’s performance will stagnate into a middling inconsistent player. At tackle they remain as sturdy as any team in the league, which is a good place to be.
If the Vikings do not bring back Risner at left guard then they will be in the market for a free agent guard with no other options presently on the roster. Here are the top available players and PFF grades…
Baltimore, Kevin Zeitler (21st run blocking / 2nd pass blocking)
Las Vegas, Greg Van Roten (12th run / 7th pass)
Los Angeles, Kevin Dotson (2nd run / 20th pass)
Seattle, Damien Lewis (38th run / 27th pass)
Green Bay, Jon Runyan (48th run / 28th pass)
Baltimore, John Simpson (40th pass / 32nd pass)
Detroit, Jonah Jackson (34th run / 36th pass)
Detroit, Graham Glasgow (4th run / 41st pass)
As far as depth options, the team may want players like Quessenberry and Schlottmann back in the mix but there is competition for depth linemen. Even Mason Cole got a contract equal to Garrett Bradbury in annual value last offseason because the Steelers desperately needed a center. If they lose the established quality backups that will mean even more shopping on the market.
Draft options
Considering the Vikings have put a lot of draft capital into the offensive line already and have deep needs on the defensive side, it would not make much sense to spend a first or second-round pick on a guard. The most likely approach would be using a late-round pick on a developmental interior lineman.
The bottom line
The Vikings offensive line is in better shape than it has been in a very long time but the boat still has some leaks. While their pass blocking was excellent overall it’s unclear whether the Vikings will be able to give Dalton Risner the highest bid in free agency or if they want him back considering his weakness in run blocking. There should be an aim to improve in that area. It also remains questionable whether next year will mark another jump at right guard or if Ingram’s performance will stagnate into a middling inconsistent player. At tackle they remain as sturdy as any team in the league, which is a good place to be.
... and neither is this Chris guy.