Minnesota Vikings News and Links, 16 March 2023

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is weaving his tapestry of assembling the Vikings roster and it is both exciting and a bit confusing all at the same time. When I put on my wannabe GM hat and come up with plans, all the transactions have to be all at once. The Vikings are much more calculating and deliberate with their roster decisions. Nothing seems as if it is simple. Of course, many of us fans are an impatient lot and want to see it done.

There are still many transactions that are going to take place as the team is now in the red again in terms of available cap space sitting at negative $2,099,229. This does not even include the Davenport contract. The decisions that have yet to be made or announced are ...

Harrison Smith - looks like it is leaning towards a sizable pay cut via a restructure

Za’Darius Smith - trade/release or restructure? With the Davenport deal, it would seem they are going to move Z. Smith

Dalvin Cook - trade/release/restructure? I have no clue

Danielle Hunter - new deal?

TJ Hockenson - new deal?

Justin Jefferson - new deal?

Brian O’Neill - restructure? Maybe not due to the injury

CJ Ham - I have no clue what they are doing because paying a FB that played 14.47% of the snaps, 3.05M , is way beyond my analytical thinking capability

Yes, lots of transactions yet to take place.

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Since yore last open thread ...

Vikings a bit quieter as the new league year starts

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Vikings re-sign RB Alexander Mattison

This is a bit of a surprise without a corresponding Cook move. Have they lost faith in Nwangwu? Is Chandler not ready yet? Will the team carry Cook’s cap number until they can find a trade that is worthwhile? Will they use a post June 1st designation with with Cook? Will they simply restructure some of Cook’s salary and take the dead money in 2024? Is the draft class NOT as good at running back as many people believe?

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Our Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Tracker

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Remaining Free Agents

I like Safety Taylor Rapp if they do not keep Smith. Linebacker Drue Tranquill is still on my list as is defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson.

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Yore Mock

TRADES

Trade Partner: Jacksonville Jaguars

Sent: Za’Darius Smith

Received: Round 6 Pick 8

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Trade Partner: Kansas City Chiefs

Sent: Round 1 Pick 23

Received: Round 1 Pick 31; Round 3 Pick 32; Round 6 Pick 40

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Trade Partner: San Francisco 49ers

Sent: Round 3 Pick 32

Received: Round 3 Pick 38; Round 7 Pick 5

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Trade Partner: New England Patriots

Sent: Round 4 Pick 17

Received: Round 4 Pick 33; Round 6 Pick 10

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31: R1 P31 QB Hendon Hooker - Tennessee 6’3” 217

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87: R3 P24 LB Daiyan Henley - Washington St 6’0” 225

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101: R3 P38 C Joe Tippmann - Wisconsin 6’6’ 313

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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135: R4 P33 S Jartavius Martin - Illinois 5’11” 194

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158: R5 P23 DL Moro Ojomo - Texas 6’2.9” 292

Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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185: R6 P8 WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton - West Virginia 6’4” 221

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187: R6 P10 CB Cory Trice - Purdue 6’3.3” 206

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211: R6 P34 OT Nick Saldiveri - Old Dominion 6’6.2” 318

Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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217: R6 P40 EDGE Tavius Robinson - Ole Miss 6’6.1” 257

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222: R7 P5 WR Derius Davis - TCU 5’8.3” 165

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