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Jaren Hall Jaren Hall Fourth QB in Minnesota
Thu, May 2, 2024, 11:59 AM
Hall isn't projected to make the Vikings' 53-man roster, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: A 2023 fifth-round pick, Hall played 46 offensive snaps as a rookie and turned the ball over three times while absorbing four sacks. He completed 13 of 20 passes for just 168 scoreless yards. With the Vikings' first-round selection of J.J. McCarthy following the signing of Sam Darnold, Hall will need to beat out veteran Nick Mullens for the third spot if he's going to stick in Minnesota. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Ahead of schedule in rehab
Thu, May 2, 2024, 9:58 AM
Hockenson (knee) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn right ACL and MCL, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hockenson suffered his knee injury the day after Christmas. According to Lewis, even though Hockenson is making quick progress, the Vikings don't plan to rush him back, and the tight end's status for Week 1 remains in question. There's chance he opens the season on reserve/PUP. If so, veterans Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt are next up on the depth chart. |
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Brandon Powell Brandon Powell Leading No. 3 WR candidate
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 11:25 PM
Powell, Jalen Nailor and Trent Sherfield are the leading candidates for the No. 3 receiver role after the Vikings did not take a wide receiver in the 2024 draft, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It was a mild surprise the Vikings didn't draft a wide receiver after the departure of K.J. Osborn in free agency (signed with New England), leaving Powell as the leading candidate for the No. 3 receiver role. The Vikings could add a veteran free agent later this spring to compete for the job. Whoever wins the role could get a significant number of targets early in the season with tight end T.J. Hockensen likely to miss several games in coming back from January surgery for a torn ACL. |
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Trent Sherfield Trent Sherfield Joining Minnesota WR corps
Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 5:27 PM
The Vikings are set to sign Sherfield to a one-year deal, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Per Goessling, Sherfield's deal is for $1.79 million and includes a $400,000 signing bonus. In 17 regular-season games with the Bills in 2023, Sherfield caught 11 of his 22 targets for 86 yards and one touchdown. With the Vikings, the 28-year-old figures to compete with Brandon Powell for wideout snaps and targets behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. |
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Nick Mullens Nick Mullens Now backing up Darnold, not Cousins
Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 2:10 PM
Mullens looks set to work as the top backup to Sam Darnold, who is slated to ink a one-year deal with Minnesota, while Kirk Cousins is primed to move on to Atlanta, Christian Gonzales of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Mullens and 2023 fifth-round pick Jaren Hall are currently the Vikings' only options at quarterback behind Darnold, though the team could further bolster the position in free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft. Now heading into the final year of his contact, and having spent the last two seasons as a backup for Minnesota, Mullens could be cut with only $375,000 in dead money, but the team may see value in a veteran already familiar with the present offensive scheme. The Vikings hold the No. 11 pick in April's draft and could be a candidate to select a quarterback there, or to move up the board. |
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Brandon Powell Brandon Powell Staying in Minnesota
Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 4:20 PM
Powell agreed to terms Tuesday to re-sign with the Vikings on a one-year contract, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Powell has more punt returns (86) than catches (76) in 61 career games, but he did a nice job filling in on offense last year when Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison or K.J. Osborn weren't available. Osborn now appears headed for free agency, potentially giving Powell a better shot at the No. 3 receiver role, albeit in a Minnesota offense that won't have QB Kirk Cousins. |
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Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Slides into backup role
Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 3:39 PM
Chandler is poised to back up Aaron Jones, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Chandler briefly stood atop Minnesota's depth chart following the release of Alexander Mattison, but the addition of a veteran with true three-down capabilities in Jones likely returns him to a complementary role. That said, the 29-year-old Jones has battled injuries in recent years, playing just 11 games in 2023, while Chandler flashed some upside in limited opportunities last season while averaging 4.5 YPC. He remains an interesting stash for fantasy purposes, though the Vikings could also add further depth to their backfield in free agency or the draft. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Signing with Minnesota
Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 8:06 AM
Jones is slated to sign a one-year deal with the Vikings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Per Schefter, Jones' deal with Minnesota is worth $7 million. The move comes just one day after the 29-year-old was released by Green Bay after turning down a pay cut, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. With the Vikings, Jones will have a chance to lead a backfield that also includes Ty Chandler, with Alexander Mattison having recently been released by the team. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Ready to talk contract with Atlanta
Mon, Mar 11, 2024, 9:40 AM
Cousins (Achilles) is expected to begin negotiating with the Falcons when the legal tampering period begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Rumors have connected the two parties for the past couple weeks, and it sounds like the Falcons may be willing to outbid the Vikings for Cousins' services. It's also possible the Vikings up their offer in the presence of a real threat, and Cousins may even give the team an opportunity to match any offer he receives. Whatever the case, Atlanta needs to be taken seriously as a contender for Cousins' services. His presence under center would be a huge fantasy boost for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, with RB Bijan Robinson possibly benefiting quite a bit as well. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Expected to test open market
Sun, Mar 10, 2024, 6:56 PM
Cousins (Achilles) is expected to test the free-agent market this week, though his agent and the Vikings remain in contact, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: "The Vikings are still in this," Pelissero added. But the Falcons and Broncos were two teams mentioned as possible destinations should Cousins ultimately leave Minnesota. Teams are permitted to speak with free agents from other teams starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday. Cousins is expected to command a contract that averages more than $40 million per year. |
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Johnny Mundt Johnny Mundt Re-signs with Minnesota
Fri, Mar 8, 2024, 2:48 PM
The Vikings agreed to terms with Mundt on Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Mundt seems to have found a home in Minnesota after spending the first four years of his career with the Rams. In his two seasons with the Vikings, the 29-year-old has appeared in 34 games and put up 312 receiving yards, catching 36 of his 44 targets. Expect Mundt to continue serving as a depth piece in Minnesota's tight end room in 2024. |
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Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Top running back for now
Thu, Feb 29, 2024, 7:04 PM
Chandler is projected to serve as the Vikings' top running back after Alexander Mattison was released Thursday, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Mattison accounted for 180 carries in 2023, while Chandler played a complementary role with 102. He showed flashes of brilliance with the ball in his hands, tallying three rushes of over 20 yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. For now, it appears that Chandler will be set for a bigger role in 2024, though the Vikings will almost certainly add to their backfield either through the draft or free agency. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Encouraged by progress
Mon, Feb 26, 2024, 12:02 PM
Cousins, who is recovering from a torn right Achilles' tendon, posted a video Monday which showed him backpedaling and throwing recently in an indoor tennis facility, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Cousins, whose 2023 season came to an end when he sustained the season-ending injury Oct. 29, noted in his social media post that he was "encouraged by the progress" he's made thus far. He's eligible to become a free agent next month and said earlier in February that he's on track with his recovery and expects to participate in OTAs and minicamp this spring. According to Seifert, the Vikings and Cousins have mutual interest in a reunion, but for now, the 35-year-old profiles as the best available option at his position ahead of NFL free agency. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Undergoes surgery
Mon, Jan 29, 2024, 6:08 PM
Hockenson (knee) underwent successful ACL surgery Monday.
Analysis: Hockenson's season ended when he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee on Dec. 26. Given how late in the season his injury occurred, the star tight end is presumably in danger of not being ready for the start of the 2024 season. He now will move forward with the rehab process as the offseason gets underway. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Ahead of schedule
Fri, Jan 26, 2024, 1:25 PM
Cousins (Achilles) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery and should resume throwing within the next month or so, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Cousins had surgery on his torn Achilles' tendon Nov. 1 and isn't likely to participate in spring practices even if he resumes throwing soon. He does seem better equipped than most football players to rebound from the injury, considering he's a pocket-based QB who has averaged just 6.6 rushing yards per game in six seasons with the Vikings. Cousins' rehab from surgery will actually be a secondary storyline this offseason, as he's scheduled for unrestricted free agency and not considered a lock to re-sign in Minnesota. |
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Daylen Baldwin Daylen Baldwin Signs reserve deal with Vikings
Wed, Jan 17, 2024, 11:42 AM
Baldwin signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings on Tuesday.
Analysis: Baldwin spent part of the 2023 season with Minnesota's practice squad. The former Michigan wide receiver will compete for a spot on the roster in 2024. |
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Josh Oliver Josh Oliver Secures two touchdowns in 2023
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 8:05 PM
Oliver appeared in all 17 games during the 2023 season, catching 22 of 28 targets for 213 yards and two touchdowns.
Analysis: A third-round pick by the Jaguars in 2019, Oliver's targets, catches, yards and touchdowns all set or matched career highs. He saw action on 42 percent of the Vikings' offensive snaps after signing a three-year, $21 million deal with Minnesota last offseason. Oliver should once again play more of a blocking role behind T.J. Hockenson (knee) next season. |
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Johnny Mundt Johnny Mundt Catches 17 passes for Minnesota
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 7:25 PM
Mundt appeared in all 17 games during the 2023 season, catching 17 of 23 targets for 172 yards and one touchdown.
Analysis: The targets and yards were new career bests for the 29-year-old veteran tight end. Mundt was mostly tasked with blocking duties on his 223 offensive snaps, but he did see extended pass-catching opportunities and playing time over the final two-and-a-half games of the season following T.J. Hockenson's season-ending torn ACL. Mundt posted 4-39-1 and 5-58-0 receiving lines on a combined 13 targets in Weeks 17 and 18. He's scheduled to become a free agent in March after spending the last two seasons with the Vikings following five with the Rams. |
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Brandon Powell Brandon Powell Catches 29 passes in 2023
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 7:20 PM
Powell appeared in all 17 games during the 2023 season, catching 29 of 44 targets for 324 yards and one touchdown while adding five carries for 17 scoreless rushing yards.
Analysis: Powell also served as Minnesota's top punt returner, returning a league-high 37 punts for 289 yards and no touchdowns. It was Powell's first year with the Vikings after spending the previous two seasons with the Rams where he crossed paths with Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell. Powell's 407 offensive snaps in 2023 were a new career high for the 28-year-old, as he saw extensive action in three-wide sets while Justin Jefferson missed two-plus months on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Powell is scheduled to be a free agent in March but may have showed enough to get a longer look in Minnesota with a familiar coaching staff. |
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Jaren Hall Jaren Hall Plays 46 snaps as rookie
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 7:15 PM
Hall appeared in three games games during the 2023 season, completing 13 of 20 passes (65 percent) for 168 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception while adding six carries for 14 scoreless rushing yards.
Analysis: The fifth-round rookie started Week 9 after Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending torn Achilles' tendon in Week 8. Hall lasted all of 11 offensive snaps versus Atlanta before he was concussed and replaced by trade pickup Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs then started the next four games before giving way to Nick Mullens. Coach Kevin O'Connell, trying to find an offensive spark, went back to Hall as the Week 17 starter but pulled him at halftime against the Packers after he went just five of 10 passing for 67 yards and one interception with a lost fumble. Hall won't be guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster next season after his lackluster rookie season. He'll be competing for a backup job. |
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