7 Wild and Loopy Predictions

VikingsTerritory writers have been requested to supply one prediction apiece for the Minnesota Vikings offseason shocker. Considering wild and loopy was inspired.

NFL free company begins in a single week, and the NFL draft is about seven weeks away.

Vikings Offseason Shocker: 7 Wild and Loopy Predictions

Some predictions will [sort of] double up because the panel didn’t use groupthink techniques in the course of the train. In these circumstances, contemplate the prediction all of the extra fashionable.

1. Ezra Cleveland Traded

Prediction Maker = Adam New

Minnesota must release cap house and garner some extra draft capital. They’ll do each with a commerce of left guard Ezra Cleveland.

Throughout three seasons as a Viking, Cleveland has stood out as a serviceable guard amongst struggling gamers. Excelling in run blocking and nearly getting by as a go blocker, Cleveland has carried out “okay.”

Nevertheless, Kevin O’Connell’s pass-oriented offensive scheme wants higher go safety from the inside. With Cleveland within the final yr of his rookie contract, a payday is across the nook and never one thing I consider the Vikings ought to be invested in. If the Vikings can discover a commerce accomplice that runs a extra run-heavy scheme, they could pull the set off.

That group might grow to be enamored with Cleveland’s run-blocking capacity — an 80.3 run-blocking grade through PFF. The consequence? Worth picks and a cap saving of practically $3 million.

2. Commerce for Massive-Title Defender

Feb 28, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Vikings basic supervisor Kwesi Adofo‐Mensah speaks to the press on the NFL Mix at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports activities.

Prediction Maker = Ali Siddiqui

The Vikings will commerce for a big-name defender — somebody who’s been a multiple-time professional bowler. Given the group’s wage cap state of affairs, it gained’t be straightforward, however they’ll discover a method.

3. A Commerce into High 10 for QB

Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (QB11) speaks to the press on the NFL Mix at Lucas Oil Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports activities.

Prediction Maker = Cole Smith

The largest shocker of the Vikings offseason will probably be when Kwesi Adofo-Mensah trades into the High 10 on draft evening to get their quarterback of the long run.

The group interviewed Anthony Richardson, and it’s been reported that Kevin O’Connell is a fan of Will Levis. Whoever they take, the Vikings will probably be one in all many groups who rattle the NFL world on April 27.

4. Vikings Draft RB Bijan Robinson

Texas working again Bijan Robinson (5) celebrates a landing in the course of the annual Purple River Showdown in opposition to Oklahoma on the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 8, 2022. © Aaron Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Prediction Maker = Dustin Baker

Whereas that is unlikely to happen within the grand scheme of the Vikings offseason, in the event that they do one thing actually funky, it’ll be the choice of Bijan Robinson, ending the Dalvin Cook dinner period.

This may require Robinson falling to the twenty third total spot, a longshot per some draft brains. Nevertheless, using a Saquonish expertise in Robinson would pressure Minnesota to run the ball on occasion — a frightening activity for the group that rushed the pigskin the third least in 2022.

Minnesota most likely gained’t have a real jaw-dropper in the course of the offseason — except you contemplate long-time veterans leaving the group a shock — however pencil Robinson in at No. 23 if Adofo-Mensah is feeling frisky.

5. Vikings Land a TRUE High FA

Sep 25, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports activities

Prediction Maker = Kyle Joudry

The primary shocker of the Vikings offseason is that they purchase a real prime free agent

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah indicators somebody to a very giant contract, backloading issues, so there isn’t a serious hit within the 2023 price range. Jamel Dean would make loads of sense, and so, too, would Tremaine Edmunds. We’ll see what the Vikings GM decides to do.

6. Vikings Draft Hendon Hooker

Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) appears to be like on earlier than the 2022 Orange Bowl in opposition to the Clemson Tigers at Onerous Rock Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Wealthy Storry-USA TODAY Sports activities

Prediction Maker = Janik Eckardt

The Vikings miss out on the highest passers within the draft however determine Hendon Hooker as a successor for Kirk Cousins.

A Heisman runner-up, Hooker is coming off a torn ACL however confirmed glorious play in 2022, together with 32 whole touchdowns and solely two interceptions with Tennessee within the sturdy SEC.

7. Kirk Cousins Traded

Nov 3, 2019; Kansas Metropolis, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) drops again to go in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in the course of the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports activities.

Prediction Maker = Ted Schwerzler

I feel it must be Kirk Cousins traded. It’s not all that possible, however nothing would trump that.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his day by day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs each Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doorways (the band).

All statistics supplied by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual info supplied by OverTheCap.com.