Another Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft

With yesterday’s trade with the San Francisco 49ers for running back Jordan Mason, the Minnesota Vikings have set themselves up for a 2025 NFL Draft in which they have few glaring needs. The Vikings entered the offseason with obvious needs on the offensive and defensive lines. They also had needs at cornerback and running back. The additions of center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries addressed the needs on the interior of the offensive line. The additions of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave addressed the needs on the defensive line. The re-signing of cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. was critical to defensive continuity. The signing of cornerback Isaiah Rodgers might end up being one of the best additions of the offseason. And cornerback was at a position of need. The player additions and retentions through the first week of free agency had the Vikings perhaps positioned to draft a running back in the first round. Despite re-signing Aaron Jones, the position was a need. Jones needed a partner in the backfield. That’s why the trade for Jordan Mason made so much sense. The Vikings sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the 49ers for Mason. The teams also swapped Day 3 picks this year (a fifth from the Vikings  for a sixth from the 49ers). The 2026 sixth-round pick the Vikings sent to the 49ers was the pick they’d just received from the Houston Texans for Ed Ingram. Essentially the trade with the 49ers was a swap of Ed Ingram for Jordan Mason and an exchange of Day 3 picks this year. Mason should pair nicely with Jones. Running back might still be a need in the draft but the position is now more of a later round need. Perhaps a speedy running back with some unique receiving talent. 

The Vikings are set up nicely for the 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s another stab at the four picks they currently hold. 

1. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

3. Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia

5. O’Donnell Fortune, CB, South Carolina

6. Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware

Derrick Harmon has routinely been the pick at #24. It’s so hard to pass on the disruptive interior player. The Vikings bolstered the defensive front with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Both are on the wrong side of 30. They’d be outstanding mentors Harmon. 

Like Harmon on the defensive line, Tate Ratledge would be a talented, young addition on the offensive line. Perhaps, he even starts at left guard as a rookie. That’s the least set position on the offensive line. 

Come draft time, O’Donnell Fortune probably isn’t available in the fifth round. He’s an easy pick here. So is Marcus Yarns in the sixth round. 

Until the next one. 

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

The Minnesota Vikings were scheduled to lose nearly half of their 2024 roster. That situation promised an active offseason. Through the first week of free agency, the Vikings did not disappoint. Here’s a look at the Vikings depth chart after an eventful first week of the offseason.

Minnesota Vikings 2025 Depth Chart (62)

Offense (27)

Quarterbacks (2)

  9 J.J McCarthy

19 Brett Rypien

Running Backs (3)

33 Aaron Jones

32 Ty Chandler

36 Zavier Scott

Fullback (1)

30 C.J. Ham

Receivers (6)

18 Justin Jefferson

  3 Jordan Addison

83 Jalen Nailor

81 Lucky Jackson

82 Jeshaun Jones

89 Thayer Thomas

Tight Ends (2)

87 T.J. Hockenson

84 Josh Oliver

Offensive Linemen (13)

71 Christian Darrsisaw

64 Blake Brandel

     Ryan Kelly

     Will Fries

75 Brian O’Neill

56 Garrett Bradbury

78 Walter Rouse

65 Michael Jurgens

     Justin Skule

     Marcellus Johnson

72 Leroy Watson

     Trevor Reid

68 Henry Byrd

Defense (32) 

Defensive Linemen (8)

97 Harrison Phillips

     Jonathan Allen

     Javon Hargrave

61 Jalen Redmond

50 Levi Drake Rodriguez

94 Taki Taimani 

71 Jonathan Harris

91 Travis Bell 

Outside Linebackers (5)

58 Jonathan Greenard

43 Andrew Van Ginkel

15 Dallas Turner

59 Gabriel Murphy

98 Bo Richter

Inside Linebackers (4)

  0 Ivan Pace Jr.

51 Blake Cashman

     Eric Wilson

  6 Brian Asamoah

45 Max Tooley

Cornerbacks (10)

  7 Byron Murphy Jr.

  5 Mekhi Blackmon

  2 Isaiah Rodgers

29 Dwight McGlothern

36 NaJee Thompson

     Tavierre Thomas

25 Nahshon Wright

     Ambry Thomas

     Reddy Steward 

     Kahlef Hailassie

Safeties (5)

22 Harrison Smith

44 Josh Metellus

26 Theo Jackson

20 Jay Ward

     Bubba Bolden

Special Teams (3)

Kickers (1)

16 Will Reichard

Punter (1)

17 Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

42 Andrew DePaola 

***

It only takes a glance to see that the Vikings still need a backup quarterback. Not Aaron Rodgers. Otherwise, the first week of signings have left this roster in pretty good shape. They really just need overall depth. There’s the rest of the offseason and the draft to deal with that. 

MInnesota Vikings Free Agent Tracker

The Minnesota Vikings have active through the first week of NFL free agency. With only four picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, much of the offseason’s reinforcements had to come through a modest to heavy spending spree. Here’s a look at the Vikings player movement so far.

Re-Signed:

Byron Murphy Jr., CB

Aaron Jones, RB

Theo Jackson, S

Ryan Wright, P

Signed:

Isaiah Rodgers, CB

Jonathan Allen, DT

Ryan Kelly, C

Will Fries, G

Javon Hargrave, DT

Tavierre Thomas, CB

Justin Skyler, OT

Bubba Bolden, S

Players Lost:

Camryn Bynum, S - Indianapolis Colts

Sam Darnold, QB - Seattle Seahawks

Daniel Jones, QB - Indianapolis Colts

Nick Mullens, QB - Jacksonville Jaguars

Patrick Jones, Edge - Carolina Panthers

Johnny Mundt, TE - Jacksonville Jaguars

Unsigned Vikings:

Cam Akers, RB

Jonathan Bullard, DT

Dan Feeney, C

Stephon Gilmore, CB

Shaq Griffin, CB

Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB

Fabian Moreau, CB

Brandon Powell, WR

David Quessenberry, OT

Dalton Risner, G

Cam Robinson, OT

Jerry Tillery, DT

Jihad Ward, Edge

***

The Vikings entered free agency with significant needs on the interiors of the offensive and defensive lines. The early signing flurry that brought in Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave aggressively addressed those needs. Needs remain at running back, cornerback, and general depth. The Vikings have done enough in free agency that the few picks they have in the draft might be enough to address any remaining needs. 

He’s Back!

The Minnesota Vikings have done some good things through the initial days of free agency. Solid additions. Solid re-signings. None of those made me as happy as hearing that Harrison Smith is returning for his 14th season. I accept that he’s much closer to the end of his fabulous career than he is to the start. I’m just not ready for the days when #22 isn’t on the field for the Vikings. Welcome back, Harrison Smith!

When it became clear that Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores would return for his third season, I figured that there was a good chance that Harrison Smith would return as well. Player and coach work well together. More importantly, they really enjoy working together. Still, Smith is a man of many interests. I hoped that he wasn’t but there was always a chance he was ready to spend more time with those interests. Technically, Smith was already under contract for the 2025 season. The contract had a league minimum base salary of $1.255 million but he would’ve had a $25 million base salary for 2026 become fully guaranteed if he were on the Vikings’ roster by this weekend. Those terms were essentially a placeholder for a new deal. Smith and the team decided to do that new deal. That deal is reportedly for $11 million. It’s a $10.25 million base with $750,000 in roster bonuses. There’s potential for another $3 million in incentives. 

Harrison Smith’s 14th season could be an historic cap to an already historic career. He’s played 192 regular season games for the Vikings. He needs 10 to surpass Scott Studwell on the team’s career list. If he plays in all 17 games in 2025, Smith will tie Carl Eller for the fourth-most in Vikings history. Harrison Smith has been brilliant each of his 13 seasons. If one wants to measure his career with statistics, he mingles with some of the very best in the history of the league. If Smith can equal in 2025 the three interceptions that he had last year, he’ll join the “40 interceptions, 20 sacks club.” Only Larry Wilson, Charles Woodson, and Ronde Barber are members of that exclusive club. Wilson, Woodson, and Barber are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Smith is already a member in the “30 interceptions, 20 sacks club.” That’s a club that only includes the following:

Larry Wilson

Charles Woodson

Ronde Barber

Brian Dawkins

LeRoy Butler

Rodney Harrison

Of those, only Rodney Harrison is the only member without a Gold Jacket and his argument for inclusion is heard annually. Harrison Smith is building a strong Hall of Fame argument of his own. I know that I’m a bit biased but I’ve never seen another safety that routinely does well all of things that Smith does. From front to back, side to side, he routinely makes an impact all over the field. Contemplating his great career is a time for another day. His retirement has been pushed to another day. Today, he’s back for another season. That’s a beautiful thing. Now, it’s time to secure that elusive Super Bowl ring. 

Minnesota Vikings Free Agency: Day 2

Yesterday was Day 2 of the “legal tampering” window of NFL Free Agency. The Minnesota Vikings started the day with a flurry of signings. 

Jonathan Allen, DT

3 years, $60 million

Javon Hargrave, DT

Will Fries, G

5 years, $88 million

The signing of Jonathan Allen got the day started. As a recently released player, he didn’t have the restrictions of the impending unrestricted free agents. He could visit teams. Allen arrived at TCO Performance Center on Monday and met with Vikings decision-makers. His signing was announced early Tuesday morning. There’s no waiting for today’s start of the new league year. He’s officially with the Vikings now. 

It didn’t take long for the Vikings to add a defensive linemate for Jonathan Allen. Soon after the reports of Allen’s signing came the news that the Vikings were nearing a deal with Javon Hargrave. The San Francisco 49ers had already announced that Hargrave would be released at the start of the new league year. Apparently the Vikings won’t let him be out of work for long. Considering the nature of this agreement, no contract details have been released. 

The Vikings signed Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly on Monday. Perhaps that played a role in the Tuesday signing of Kelly’s Colts teammate. When the Kansas City Chiefs used the franchise tag to secure Trey Smith, Will Fries was elevated to the best available guard. He had a lot of suitors. It was rumored on Monday that he was near a deal with the New York Giants. By Tuesday morning, the Vikings had Fries on their side. Did the prospect of continuing his NFL career next to good friend Kelly play a role? 

The Vikings entered this offseason prioritizing improvements on the offensive and defensive fronts. Their actions over the past two days met those priorities. 

The Minnesota Vikings new offensive line:

Christian Darrisaw, LT

Blake Brandel, LG

Ryan Kelly, C

Will Fries, RG

Brian O’Neill, RT

On paper, that’s the best Vikings offensive line since the days of Steve Hutchinson.

The Minnesota Vikings new defensive line rotation:

Jonathan Allen

Javon Hargrave

Harrison Phillips

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Taki Taimani

Brian Flores and the defensive coaches now have some fun, talented players along the defensive line. 

The signing of Jonathan Allen is official. He’s already part of the roster on the Vikings website. The signings of Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Javon Hargrave, and Monday’s signing of cornerback Isaiah Rodgers aren’t official until the start of the new league year this afternoon at 1pm PT. 

Minnesota Vikings Free Agency: Day 1+

Through one day, and a few hours, of the “legal tampering period of NFL free agency, the Minnesota Vikings have done some stuff. They signed three new players and retained one of their own. 

Signed:

Isaiah Rodgers, CB, Philadelphia Eagles

2 years/$15 million

Ryan Kelly, C, Indianapolis Colts

2 years/$18 million

Jonathan Allen, DT, Washington Commanders

3 years/$60 million

Re-Signed:

Byron Murphy Jr., CB

3 years/$66 million

The Minnesota Vikings were fairly busy on the first day of the league’s tampering period. The first news of the day was that recently released, former Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was visiting the Vikings. That was huge news as the Vikings clearly needed to bolster the interior of their defensive line. He arrived at TCO Performance Center in the afternoon. Late in the day, it was reported that negotiations were progressing and that Allen was spending the night in the Minnesota. Then came today’s early morning news that he was signing a three-year deal. There are a few nice things about the signing of Jonathan Allen. 1) As a released player, he can sign right away. There’s no waiting until Wednesday for this deal to be made official. 2) As a released player, the signing doesn’t factor into the formula for Compensatory Picks. And 3) He’s an excellent interior defensive lineman. The Vikings haven’t had one of those for a long time. 

The first signing of the first day was the signing of cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. He’s coming off a Super Bowl-winning season with the Philadelphia Eagles. At 5’10” and 170 lbs, he isn’t big but he is fast. When needed, Rodgers played starter quality snaps. If the Eagles hadn’t selected corners with their first two picks in last year’s draft, Rodgers might’ve started the entire season and re-signed with the Eagles. Instead, he’s an under-the-radar signing of the Vikings. The only real blemish on his NFL resume’ is that he was suspended for the entire 2023 season for gambling. That shows some very questionable decision-making. Hopefully, he’s learned from it. 

It was in the afternoon that the Vikings addressed their significant need of strengthening the interior of the offensive line. This was the signing of center Ryan Kelly. He had an outstanding nine-year run with the Indianapolis Colts. This signing throws in serious doubt the future of Garrett Bradbury. He’s been the Vikings starting center since he was drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. I’ve seen a mention that perhaps he can shift positions and compete with Blake Brandel for the left guard spot. Who knows? What is known is that Kelly improves the Vikings interior offensive line. Now, the Vikings need to sign a right guard. Kelly’s Colts teammate, Will Fries please. 

The signing of Isaiah Rodgers and Ryan Kelly won’t be official until Wednesday afternoon. 

Signing your own free agents doesn’t generate the heat of signing new free agents. The re-signing of cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. was the Vikings biggest deal of the first day. This was a priority re-signing and the Vikings got it done. 

Now, it’s on to Day 2. The early morning signing of Jonathan Allen was an outstanding start. 

Minnesota Vikings Signings

The Minnesota Vikings took care of some internal business in advance of the free agency chaos of today’s “legal tampering” period. Yesterday, the Vikings announced a couple signings.

Aaron Jones, RB

2 years, $20 million

$13 million guaranteed

Ryan Wright, P

1 year, $1.75 million

Even though he’s passed the age of 30, it’s great to have Aaron Jones back. On and off the field, he was terrific last season. His 255 carries and 1,138 rushing yards were career highs. Jones often dealt with injuries through. While he had a few nicks and aches, Jones started every game for the Vikings. He did wear down as the season neared the final weeks. It’s important that the Vikings add a running back early in the 2025 NFL Draft. With an effective running tandem and an improved offensive line, Jones should be the dynamic back that he has the talent to be for the entire season. 

On the surface, Jones’ deal averages $10 million/year. In reality, it probably averages closer to $6.5 million/year. He gets $11.5 guaranteed at signing, including a $8 million signing bonus. For this year, the deal will carry a $4.8 million cap hit. 

Ryan Wright’s re-signing provides punting stability. Seeing as he had some struggles last season, he’ll surely face some offseason and training camp competition. 

The Vikings are now just hours away from having “legal” negotiation competition for cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., Camryn Bynum, Daniel Jones, and the rest of their soon-to-be free agents. I’m still hopeful for Murphy. 

In addition to Byron Murphy Jr., I’m hoping for the addition of the following players:

Will Fries, G

Jonathan Allen, DT

Paulson Adebo, CB

That would be a nice start for the 2025 offseason. 

Free Agency: A Day of Dreaming Away

The NFL’s “legal tampering window” opens tomorrow morning at 9am PT. While no new free agent signing is official-official until the start of the new league year on Wednesday at 1pm PT, NFL free agency begins tomorrow morning at 9am PT. On the eve of the big day, here are some new free agent dreams for the Minnesota Vikings. 

For the first time in a long time, perhaps ever, the Vikings have enough salary cap space to be significant players in the free agent market. The excellent contract/salary cap sites (Spotrac and Over the Cap) have the Vikings with ~$63 million with which to play. That amount ranks sixth in the league. With significant needs on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines as well as cornerback, the Vikings have some work to do. It’s a good thing they have that cap space. The work likely won’t come cheap. Here’s a free agency dream for the Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings could get things started with a contract extension for cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. His re-signing is reportedly a priority. Murphy is expected to receive a contract approaching, perhaps exceeding, $20 million. That means that there are two paths for the Vikings. One with Murphy. One without Murphy. I continually flip back and forth between the two. I’d love to have Murphy back. He fits and knows Brian Flores’ defensive system. There’s also the possibility that the Vikings could sign two quality corners for a little more than just re-signing Murphy. Which is the better route? I’m glad that it’s not my decision. 

With Murphy:

Re-sign:

Byron Murphy Jr., CB

Sign:

Jonathan Allen, DT

Will Fries, G

Paulson Adebo, CB

Without Murphy:

Sign:

Jonathan Allen, DT

Will Fries, G

D.J. Reed, CB

Paulson Adebo, CB

Since the end of the season, I’d been absolutely sold on pursuing Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams. With his excellent play in the postseason, he probably pushed his next deal to, at least, $25 million. While I wouldn’t be opposed to his signing, I’m leaning toward the addition of Jonathan Allen as the better option. At 30, he’s more than four years older than Williams. While that’s not ideal, Allen still has at least a couple more years of solid, even elite, play in him. Combine him with a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Harrison Phillips, and youngsters Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez and the Vikings have a much improved defensive line. Allen will command a decent contract but it should be much less than the one coming Williams’ way. Another plus to signing Allen is that his signing wouldn’t factor into the compensatory pick formula. 

Signing Will Fries is an easy decision. The Vikings must improve the interior offensive line. With the Kansas City Chiefs using the franchise tag to secure Trey Smith, Fries is the top free agent guard. He’d fit in nicely between right tackle Brian O’Neill and center Garrett Bradbury. It’s not a high bar but Fries would be the Vikings best guard since Steve Hutchinson departed after the 2011 season. It’s sad that it’s been more than a decade since the Vikings have had a guard of Fries quality. 

Before his injury (broken leg) early last season, I really liked the trajectory of Paulson Adebo. If not for that injury, I’m guessing that he’d be in line for a contract similar to the one Byron Murphy Jr. is apparently going to get. Coming off an injury probably means a lighter, but shorter, deal. I believe that Adebo is still an ascending player. 

In the above scenarios, it comes down to Byron Murphy Jr. or D.J. Reed. If it were truly that simple, the decision is easy. Re-sign Murphy. It would be more expensive but I’d feel better about the Vikings cornerbacks situation with Murphy part of it. 

If the Vikings can add Jonathan Allen, Will Fries, and Paulson Adebo over the next few days, that would be an outstanding start to the offseason. 

Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Situation

In my mind, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback situation in 2025 was decided when J.J. McCarthy was selected with the 10th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Sam Darnold was signed before that draft to be the bridge quarterback in case the rookie wasn’t ready. As things played out, McCarthy was probably ready to start but he suffered a torn meniscus in the first preseason game. The surgery to repair it wiped out his rookie season. Darnold was the Vikings quarterback in 2024. He played well. He guided the team to a 14-3 regular season record. All was wonderful until the final two games of the season. In my mind, Darnold could’ve guided the Vikings to the Lombardi Trophy and McCarthy would still be the quarterback in 2025. It’s probably a controversial thought but it’s what I believed and still believe. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell were hired in 2022 with the current quarterback situation in their sights, a talented team with a talented quarterback on a rookie deal. It’s the situation that nearly all teams seek. There’s a lot that can be done with a roster without the strains of a hefty quarterback contract. 

So, here we are. One of the most annoying aspects of this offseason has been the constant chirping about whether the Vikings would slap the franchise tag on Sam Darnold. That was never going to happen. There was no way that they would commit $40 million to a quarterback. They had just gotten out from under the weight of Kirk Cousin’s deal. If the Vikings were just going to jump underneath another weighty, and questionable, quarterback deal, what was the point of the last three seasons of preparation? With so few draft picks in the coming draft, a tag and trade would’ve been nice but that never felt realistic. When the franchise tag deadline passed without a Darnold tag, I hoped that the chirping would stop. Nope! Always the drama-seeker, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio kept tossing out the “trade McCarthy’s, keep Darnold” possibility. That was stupid in all ways possible. Even respected insiders like Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero were talking about the Vikings continuing to negotiate with Darnold’s people. Sure. The Vikings would love to have Darnold back on a contract similar to last year. That was never going to happen. He played his way to a contract far beyond the $10 million he played on last year. Darnold was never going to come back to Minnesota. It doesn’t work for the Vikings. It doesn’t work for Darnold. Report that. 

Yesterday, I finally got some relief from this constant Darnold-Vikings chirping. The Seattle Seahawks traded quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick. That opened up Seattle as a possible destination for Darnold. Several of the league’s insiders started reporting that. Even Florio ran with this trade solving the Vikings quarterback dilemma. There was never a dilemma! The Vikings and Darnold were always going their separate ways this offseason. It’s J.J. McCarthy’s time. It’s been that way since he was drafted with the 10th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Free agency can’t get here soon enough. Just a couple more days. 

Theo Jackson Signed

On Thursday morning, the Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with safety Theo Jackson on a two-year contract extension. The reports had it as a two-year deal for $12.615 million. Jackson was scheduled to be a restricted free agent. This extension keeps him in Minnesota through the 2027 season. Factoring in the restricted tender, the deal is really a three-year deal for about $16 million. The first two years are fully guaranteed. 

The Vikings entered the offseason with some questions at safety. Cam Bynum is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next week, Jackson a restricted free agent. Harrison Smith is likely debating retirement and returning for his 14th season. Josh Metellus and Jay Ward were the only safeties contractually secure for the 2025 season. The signing of Jackson answers some questions. It obviously answers the question of his own Minnesota future. It may have answered the question of Bynum’s. Jackson has mostly seen special teams action in his two-plus years with the Vikings. He’s played well in his limited defensive snaps. He shined throughout training camp last summer but was kept from the field by the stellar safety trio of Smith, Metellus, and Bynum. Jackson had earned playing time but couldn’t find any. While not bank-breaking, this new deal shows that the Vikings decision-makers have faith in his starting potential. It’s similar to the deal Metellus signed before his breakout 2023 season. 

Unfortunately, the signing of Theo Jackson doesn’t reflect well on a Cam Bynum return. In his four years in Minnesota, Bynum had played his way to a strong second contract. With significant needs at other positions, it’s difficult seeing the Vikings splurging on the safety position. I expect the ageless Harrison Smith to return. Four safeties on starter-level deals is definitely splurging. I suppose anything is possible. Rob Brzezinski does have a magic touch with the salary cap. If Bynum somehow returns, how do the Vikings manage adequate playing time for four safeties deserving of playing time? Moving forward, it looks like the safety trio in Brian Flores’ versatile defense is going to be Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, and Theo Jackson. 

Minnesota Vikings Best Free Agent Signings

The 2025 edition of NFL Free Agency is less than a week away. Entering this year’s free agency, the Minnesota Vikings have some cap space and scattered needs. The most pressing needs are in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Over the thirty years of NFL free agency, the Vikings have often taken a conservative approach to the league’s spending sprees. I don’t expect this to be one of those conservative years. It could be fun. In advance of the hopeful fun, here are 10 of the best Minnesota Vikings signings of the free agent era. 

10.  Tom Johnson, DT

Tom Johnson's performance with the Vikings was a revelation mostly because it took him so long to hit his stride in the NFL. He played in the Arena Football League, Canadian Football League, and NFL Europe before he found a spot with the New Orleans Saints in 2011 at 27. He really found his place in the NFL with the Vikings in 2014. Johnson was a terrific interior pass rusher. So terrific that he's one of the best Vikings free agent signings. His impact on the Vikings pass rush is reminiscent of the one made by Lance Johnstone two decades ago. Johnstone is a player that nearly made this list.  

9.  Ben Leber, LB

Ben Leber was a consistently solid linebacker for the Vikings from 2006-10. He had a great knack for making big plays in crucial moments. The linebacker trio of Leber, Chad Greenway, and E.J. Henderson is one of the best in franchise history.

8.  Ryan Longwell, K

A kicker! The only thing that keeps Ryan Longwell from being ranked higher is the position that he played. Longwell was an excellent kicker for each of his six seasons in Minnesota. He's in the argument for best kicker in Vikings franchise history.

7.  Chester Taylor, RB 

Chester Taylor had an outstanding first season for the Vikings in 2006. He probably would have had several more outstanding seasons in Minnesota if not for the surprising arrival of Adrian Peterson in the 2007 NFL Draft. Taylor's playing time was cut drastically but he remained an effective complimentary back to Peterson. The two formed one of the league’s best running back combos.

6. Corey Chavous, S

Corey Chavous came to Minnesota as a corner in 2002 but really found his home with a switch to safety. His 2003 season was simply outstanding. That was the year in which he often seemed to be the only Vikings player on the field that had any interest in playing defense. He was picked for the only Pro Bowl  of his career that season. Smart football player. 

5.  Pat Williams, DT

Defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams formed the "Williams Wall." No one ran on the "Williams Wall." It was remarkable to watch Pat Williams move over short distances. He was so big but got through the line so fast. He was a lot of fun to watch.

4.  Linval Joseph, DT

Linval Joseph was a huge addition to the Vikings defensive line in 2014. The only knock on his play would be the games that he didn't play. Injuries kept him out of a few. When healthy, he was one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league. He was a defensive cornerstone from 2014 to 2019. 

3. Kirk Cousins, QB

The signing of Kirk Cousins at the start of 2018 spending spree was the Vikings' most aggressive free agent signing. He had a legion of critics but his passing numbers compare to those of any quarterback of the past six years. Cousins was signed to lead a talented Vikings team to a Super Bowl win. He didn’t do that. He did bring many thrills and some fine passing. 

2.  Antoine Winfield, CB

Antoine Winfield's signing in 2004 was the Vikings first true venture into big time free agency. They merely dabbled the first ten years. They struck gold with Winfield. He played for the Vikings for nine years and was fantastic for nine years. He made it to three Pro Bowls. He should have been to more. It was a real treat to be witness to his football career. He won't get much Hall of Fame consideration but he's in my Hall of Fame. A great, fun football player.

1.  Steve Hutchinson, G

Steve Hutchinson might’ve been the team MVP in 2006. He quickly changed the level of play and attitude of the Vikings offensive line. And as a result, the entire offense. He was an outstanding football player for all of his six seasons in Minnesota. He was so outstanding that he earned a bust in Canton.  

***

The Minnesota Vikings have rarely been significant players in free agency. The Cousins, Hutchinson, and Winfield signings were aggressive but are outliers. A low free agency profile is the norm. That's why 2006 was such a surprise. In Brad Childress' first season as head coach the Vikings really dove into free agency. Four players on this list were signed that year. Steve Hutchinson, Chester Taylor, Ryan Longwell, and Ben Leber. That offseason was a bonanza and Vikings fans were delirious. All four helped form the foundation of a team that improved each season. A team that ended up being a play away from the Super Bowl in 2009. 

It would be a disservice if last year’s free agent signings aren’t mentioned. The class headliners:

Jonathan Greenard

Andrew Van Ginkel

Blake Cashman

Sam Darnold

Aaron Jones

Those players, and a few others, were a big reason for the team’s remarkable 14-3 regular season record. Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Sam Darnold made the Pro Bowl. Blake Cashman and Aaron Jones probably should’ve joined them. Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Cashman might be another terrific season away from cracking this list of the Vikings best free agent signings. 

2023 free agent signee Byron Murphy Jr. might also be a year away from joining this list. That means that he has to sign a contract extension in the coming days. 

Franchise Tags

Yesterday, the deadline passed for NFL teams to slap one of their impending free agents with the franchise tag. There was no flurry of tags. There was no slapping of tags on deadline day. All of the league’s tagging this year took place in advance of deadline day. All told, two players were slapped with the franchise tag.

Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

This is the second consecutive year of being tagged for Tee Higgins. 

The cost of those tags:

Trey Smith

$23,402,000

Tee Higgins

$26,179,200

The Dallas Cowboys dodged having to use the franchise tag when they signed defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year contract extension. Odighizuwa took the relative security of a long-term deal over the rich reward of a single year on the franchise tag. The average annual value of his new deal is about $5 million less than that of the defensive tackle franchise tag. 

It felt like the biggest news of franchise tag deadline day wasn’t about the players that got tagged or the player that dodged the tag with a long-term deal. No, the biggest news of franchise tag deadline day was the Minnesota Vikings not tagging quarterback Sam Darnold. It’s always about the quarterback. Why? Darnold had a terrific season as he helped guide the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record and an early playoff exit. I get that. I also get that he earned a decent quarterback contract. A decent contract for a starting quarterback is in excess of $30 million. The franchise tag for a quarterback is in excess of $40 million. The Vikings would be idiots to pay either amount for a security blanket. Bringing back Darnold would be done for the possibility that J.J. McCarthy isn’t healthy enough or ready enough to be the team’s quarterback. Why pay starting quarterback money for a player that’s likely to be a backup? General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell came to Minnesota in 2022 with this day in mind. A day in which they can build a team around a promising quarterback on a rookie contract. Why waste a year of it? It’s J.J, McCarthy’s time. 

Minnesota Vikings Add A Coach

When Grant Udinski departed the Minnesota Vikings for the offensive coordinator job of the Jacksonville Jaguars, I wondered if Kevin O’Connell would look for a replacement. In only three years, Udinski had made a quick rise. He did so well that O’Connell really had no choice but to keep promoting him. Udinski joined the Vikings as a special assistant to the head coach. He left as assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach. Assistant offensive coordinator? I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen one of those. Udinski kept excelling and taking on responsibilities. His last and top responsibility was getting rookie quarterback J.J McCarthy ready for the NFL. Udinski was challenged even further when McCarthy tore the meniscus in his knee and was lost for the season. Now, the coach had to work with an injured quarterback and three healthy quarterbacks. Two jobs! The job became even more challenging later in the season when Daniel Jones was added to the quarterback room. Udinski had so many responsibilities that I wondered if O’Connell could replace him. I wondered if O’Connell would even try. Well, I no longer need to wonder.

Yesterday, the Vikings hired Jordan Traylor as assistant offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. I had never heard of Udinski when he was hired off of Matt Rhule’s Carolina Panthers staff. I have head of Traylor. That’s likely due to Traylor being a little further along in his coaching career than Udinski was in 2022. A former Texas A&M quarterback, Traylor got his coaching start in 2016 at the University of Texas. He moved on to the University of Arkansas in 2018. He jumped to the NFL in 2019 as a scouting assistant for the New Orleans Saints. In 2021, he joined the team’s coaching staff as a defensive assistant. Two years later, he moved to the offense. In his six years of coaching with the Saints, Traylor worked for Sean Payton and Dennis Allen. New head coach, Kellen Moore hoped to keep the young coach on his first Saints staff. Those plans changed when Kevin O’Connell swooped in and brought him to Minnesota. 

As long as the Minnesota Vikings do well on the field, their coaching staff will be annually raided. I hated to see Grant Udinski depart but I knew that it was inevitable. I thought this was a year early but I knew the day was coming. Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown is probably next. I trust Kevin O’Connell to find the next Udinski or McCown. Perhaps he’s found the next rising Vikings coach in Jordan Traylor. 

Minnesota Vikings Free Agent Targets

The “legal tampering” period of the NFL Free Agency is a week away. While it can be quite subjective, the Minnesota Vikings enter the offseason and free agency with three significant positional needs.

Interior offensive line

Defensive line

Cornerback 

The Vikings must improve the trenches on both sides of the ball. That’s priority #1. Cornerback isn’t far behind. With only four projected draft picks, they’ll have to rely on free agency for much of their hoped for improvement. It’s a good thing they have more than $60 million in salary cap space. If they have particular free agent targets, the Vikings should be able to bid with any team in the league. 

Here are some of my favorite free agent targets at guard, defensive line, and cornerback.

Guard

Will Fries, Indianapolis Colts

James Daniels, Pittsburgh Steelers

Mekhi Becton, Philadelphia Eagles

Teven Jenkins, Chicago Bears

Patrick Mekari, Baltimore Ravens

Ben Bredeson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

With the Kansas City Chiefs slapping Trey Smith with the franchise tag, Will Fies easily elevates to the top projected guard on the free agent market. He and James Daniels are coming off a season ended early by injury. I’d take either. Both would be beautiful. 

Kevin Zeitler and Brandon Scherff would be considerations if this was 2017. 

Defensive Line

Milton Williams, Philadelphia Eagles

Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys

Levi Onwuzurike, Detroit Lions

Tershawn Wharton, Kansas City Chiefs

The Dallas Cowboys said over the weekend that they’d slap the franchise tag on Osa Odighizuwa if they can’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal by tomorrow’s tag deadline. So, he’s apparently off the market. 

Entering the offseason, Chiefs guard Trey Smith was my top free agent target. He was going to be expensive. Very expensive. It doesn’t matter now with the Chiefs using the franchise tag to keep him from reaching free agency. With Smith out of the Vikings free agent equation, Milton Williams is now my top target. He’s also going to be expensive. Very expensive. Will the Vikings spend what it’ll take to secure him? Who knows? I feel like they’ll come out of free agency with Williams or Levi Onwuzurike. Just a hunch.

Cornerback 

Paulson Adebo, New Orleans Saints

D.J. Reed, New York Jets

Charvarious Ward, San Francisco 49ers

Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

The Vikings top free agent corner target is one of their own. I’m going with the optimistic assumption that they re-sign Byron Murphy Jr. The Vikings still need another corner and I really like Paulson Adebo. In 2023, I thought that he’d passed Marshon Lattimore as the Saints top corner. He was an ascending player. If he hadn’t broken his leg early last season, he’d be the top corner on the market and probably out of the Vikings likely price range. I’d feel a whole lot better about the team’s cornerback group if Murphy was paired with any of the above. Toss in Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern and the group is better, and much younger, than the one on the field last year. 

A dream Vikings free agency:

Will Fries

Milton Williams

Paulson Adebo

A truly dream Vikings free agency would include re-signing Byron Murphy Jr. and Cam Bynum. Can they fit all of that salary in their available cap space? Hopefully, Rob Brzezinski can work his magic. 

Another Flea Flicker Mock Draft

Draft season is open. Here’s the first Flea Flicker Mock Draft of the season. 

1.   Tennessee Titans: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

2.   Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

3.   New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

4.   New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

5.   Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

6.   Las Vegas Raiders: Shadeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

7.   New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

8.   Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia

9.   New Orleans Saints: Shamar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M 

10. Chicago Bears: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

11. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

13. Miami Dolphins: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

16. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

18. Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

20. Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

23. Green Bay Packers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

24. Minnesota Vikings: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

25. Houston Texans: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

26. Los Angeles Rams: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

27. Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

28. Detroit Lions: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

29. Washington Commanders: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

30. Buffalo Bills: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State

Until the next one. 

2025 Franchise Tag Numbers

The NFL’s 32 teams have until March 4 to slap one of their impending free agents with the franchise tag. With that date in mind, the league finally released the 2025 Franchise Tag numbers yesterday. Here’s how much it’ll cost teams to restrict the movement of one of their players.

QB: $40,242,000

RB: $13,640,000

WR: $23,959,000

TE: $13,826,000

OL: $23,402,000

DE: $22,062,000

DT: $25,123,000

LB: $25,452,000

CB: $20,187,000 

  S: $18,601,000

  K: $6,313,000

A few thoughts on those numbers:

It doesn’t feel right that the franchise tag number for running backs only top kickers. There was a time when running backs were some of the highest-paid players in the league. 

If the league can separate the defensive line positions, they can surely do the same for the offensive line. Guards and tackles are thrilled that they are grouped with the tackles. 

Speaking of thrilled, inside linebackers are thrilled that they are grouped with the highly-paid outside linebackers that get after the quarterbacks. 

With only a handful of days remaining in the tagging window, the Kansas City Chiefs are the only team to use the franchise tag to secure one of their impending free agents. They slapped right guard Trey Smith with the tag. He was all set to be one of the most targeted players in free agency. Now, it looks like he’s staying in Kansas City. 

The Transition tag isn’t used much these days but it does exist. It’s a cheaper and less secure way to restrict the movement of players. Here are the transition tag numbers.

QB: $35,377,000

RB: $11,067,000

WR: $21,441,000

TE: $11,712,000

OL: $21,271,000

DE: $19,872,000

DT: $20,849,000

LB: $17,595,000

CB: $17,595,000

   S: $15,027,000

   K: $5,730,000

For a few more days, it’s tagging time. 

2025 Salary Cap

Last week, the NFL projected the 2025 Salary Cap would land between $277.5 million and $281.5 million. Further discussions with the NFLPA were necessary for an exact number. Those discussions took place. The NFL and NFLPA have agreed to a 2025 Salary Cap of $279.2 million per club.

$279.2 million.

That number is a $23.8 million leap from last year. Business is good in the NFL. 

The salary cap became a thing in 1994 with the introduction of free agency. Other than the offseason lockout year of 2011 and the post-COVID year of 2021, the salary cap has grown since 1994.

Salary Cap By Year ($ in millions)

1994: $34.608

1995: $37.100

1996: $40.753

1997: $41.454

1998: $52.388

1999: $57.288

2000: $62.172

2001: $67.405

2002: $71.101

2003: $75.007

2004: $80.582

2005: $85.500

2006: $102.000

2007: $109.000

2008: $116.000

2009: $123.000

2010: N/A-uncapped year when owners exited CBA

2011: $120.375

2012: $120.600

2013: $123.000

2014: $133.000

2015: $143.280

2016: $155.270

2017: $167.000

2018: $177.200

2019: $188.200

2020: $198.200

2021: $182.500

2022: $208.200

2023: $224.800

2024: $255.400

2025: $279.200

Throwback Thursday: Some of the Best Linebacker Trios

This Flicker was originally posted on 3/5/2020. 

I've been reading Joe Zagorski's fine book America's Trailblazing Middle Linebacker: The Story of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Lanier. Despite Lanier's Kansas City Chiefs thumping the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV, I've always been intrigued by the team. I really like a lot of the Chiefs players from those teams, especially several of the defensive players. Six of those defenders from that Chiefs Super Bowl team have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Buck Buchanan, Curley Culp, Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier, Emmitt Thomas, and Johnny Robinson. Reading about Lanier got me thinking about some of the best linebacker trios in the history of the league. In my opinion, those trios starts with the group that Lanier led.

1960s Kansas City Chiefs
Bobby Bell
Willie Lanier
Jim Lynch

When I think of this terrific group I can't help but dream about Bobby Bell playing for the Vikings. They drafted him out of Minnesota in the 1963 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, this was during the signing wars with the AFL. The Chiefs drafted him as well. Bell signed with the Chiefs. I dream about him playing behind the Vikings' great defensive line. Maybe Super Bowl IV would've gone a bit differently. It does in those dreams. Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch were both drafted in 1967 to compete for the middle linebacker spot. Lynch actually won the competition in training camp but it didn't take long for Chiefs head coach Hank Stram to realize that the defense was better with both on the field and Lanier in the middle. Stram's offense was considered ahead of its time but it was the Chiefs defense that was the key to the team's winning ways in the late 1960s. This linebacker trio was the heart of one of the greatest, most underrated defenses.

1970s Pittsburgh Steelers
Jack Ham
Jack Lambert
Andy Russell

Unlike the Chiefs, the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers defense isn't underrated. From front to back, they were great. They fielded a ferocious pass rush, a fine secondary, and linebackers that were ideally suited to play in Bud Carson's zone defense. Jack Ham could play sideline to sideline. Jack Lambert could blitz, fill run lanes, and drop and cover the middle of the field. The two Jacks played their way into Canton. Andy Russell isn't in the Hall of Fame but he did get to seven Pro Bowls.

1960s Green Bay Packers
Dave Robinson
Ray Nitschke
Lee Roy Caffey

Like the Chiefs and Steelers, the 1960s Green Bay Packers had a linebacker trio made up of two Hall of Famers and a solid, reliable third. Dave Robinson, like Bobby Bell and Jack Ham, could do just about everything. Blitz, play the run, cover. Ray Nitschke, like Willie Lanier and Jack Lambert, was a beast in the middle of the defense. Lee Roy Caffey played in the long shadows of his teammates but played really well, earning Pro Bowl, All-Pro nods and a place on the Packers 75th anniversary All-Time team.

1960s Chicago Bears
Joe Fortunato
Dick Butkus
Larry Morris

Joe Fortunato
Bill George
Larry Morris

I'll take the Bears trio with a young Dick Butkus over the one with an aging Bill George. I just wanted to give mention to the ridiculous hand-off that the Bears had at the middle linebacker position. From 1952-73 the middle of the Bears defense was managed by Hall of Famers George or Butkus. Joe Fortunato and Larry Morris was on either side of those Hall of Famers from 1959-65. That's a long, strong run of linebacker talent.

1985 Chicago Bears
Otis Wilson
Mike Singletary
Wilber Marshall

Mike Singletary was really good for longer than the outside linebackers. He had a great Hall of Fame career. From 1984-86, I thought that Otis Wilson and Wilber Marshall were the stars of this trio.

2000 Baltimore Ravens
Peter Boulware
Ray Lewis
Jamie Sharper

Ray Lewis carries this group. The 2000 Ravens defense was so dominant that it seems like each position group should be considered among the best in league history. The strength of this defense was the whole rather than the individual parts.

One more (just for giggles):

2000s Minnesota Vikings
Chad Greenway
E.J. Henderson
Ben Leber

It may not rank with the trios listed above it but I really liked this group. I think that it edges out the 1970s trio of Matt Blair/Jeff Siemon/Fred McNeil as the best in Vikings franchise history.

I've always favored the 4-3 so it's easy for me to focus on the league's best linebacker trios. That isn't fair to some of the best linebacker groups in league history.

Some Foursomes:

1980s New York Giants
Carl Banks
Gary Reasons
Harry Carson
Lawrence Taylor

Lawrence Taylor is one of the best football players to ever play and arguably the game's best defensive player. Harry Carson is honored in Canton. I was a big fan of Carl Banks. I'd like to see his Hall of Fame case make it to serious discussion among the voters. Gary Reasons was a solid football player. The late-1980s Giants annually trotted out a dominant defense. This linebacker group was the main reason that dominance.

1980s New Orleans Saints
Rickey Jackson
Sam Mills
Vaughan Johnson
Pat Swilling

Rickey Jackson and Sam Mills are in the Hall of Fame. An argument can be made for Pat Swilling joining them in Canton. Vaughan Johnson was a fine football player with several Pro Bowl nods. Individually, they were terrific. As a group, they were one of the best in league history. The New Orleans Saints had been consistent losers from the moment the team entered the NFL in 1967. That consistent losing ended about the time that this linebacker group was put together in the late 1980s. They put on a show.

Minnesota Vikings Add A Coach

While entertaining the assembled media at the Scouting Combine, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced an addition to the team’s coaching staff. Former Tennessee Titans and New York Jets offensive line coach Keith Carter will replace Shaun Sarrett as assistant offensive line coach. The Jacksonville Jaguars tapped Vikings assistant offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski to be their offensive coordinator under new head coach Liam Coen. Udinski took Sarrett with him to be the Jaguars offensive line coach. The Vikings needed a new assistant to work with offensive line coach Chris Kuper. Keith Carter will be that assistant. 

When the Vikings hired Shaun Sarrett last offseason, I thought that he was incredibly experienced for an assistant offensive line coach. He’d been coaching since 2004. He’d been coaching in the NFL since 2012. Four years as an assistant offensive line coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers. Two years as offensive line coach with the Steelers. Keith Carter’s coaching experience is even more impressive. So much so, that it’s a little surprising that he accepted an assistant offensive line coach job. He coached the Tennessee Titans offensive line under Mike Vrabel from 2018-22. He was the offensive line coach/run game coordinator for the New York Jets from 2023-24. He has more experience leading an NFL offensive line than Kuper. Carter’s seven years as an offensive line coach are eye-catching but it’s his two years as the assistant offensive line coach with the Atlanta Falcons that really caught my eye. That’s when he worked with then Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. I’ve been hoping for the Vikings to get more creative with their run schemes. Shanahan has long been one of the most creative run-schemers in the league. Maybe Carter can bring some of that. 

A negative that’s been mentioned with the hiring of Keith Carter have been the opinions of some of his former players. Former Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan said that he “loved his coaching staff (other than Keith Carter).” Former Falcons fullback Patrick DiMarco and Jets offensive lineman Mekhi Becton expressed their agreement. O’Connell called Carter a “tough, kind of gritty guy.” The Vikings have built a special environment and culture. How will such a coach impact that environment and culture? It’s probably safe to say a little bit of toughness, a little bit of edginess could do the team some good. That’s especially true of the offensive line. O’Connell said that Carter’s coaching style could work well as the #2 offensive line coach. The Vikings front and the run game must get better, must get tougher. Perhaps the addition of Keith Carter is a step in that direction. 

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft Tracker

There was a time when mock drafts were limited to magazines and released about a week before the real picks. Those were the easy to track days of Paul Zimmerman and Joel Buschbaum. That was about fifty years ago. Today, media pundits roll out mock drafts daily. Here’s a collection of those pundits and their first-round picks for the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL.com:

Daniel Jeremiah:

24. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Bucky Brooks:

24. Benjamin Harrison, CB, Notre Dame

Lance Zierlein:

24. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Cynthia Frelund:

24. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Eric Edholm:

24. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Chad Reuter:

(Trade w/Buffalo Bills)

30. Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

97. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee

Dan Parr:

24. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Gennaro Filice:

24. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

The Athletic:

Athletic Beat Writers (Alec Lewis picks for the Vikings):

24. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Athletic College Football Writers:

24. James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Dane Brugler:

24. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Nick Baumgardner:

24. Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi 

ESPN:

Mel Kiper Jr.:

24. Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

Field Yates:

24. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Jordan Reid:

(From January 7)

30. Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

Matt Miller:

24. Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

CBS Sports:

Ryan Wilson:

24. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Chris Trapasso: 

24. Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

Garrett Podell:

24. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Tyler Sullivan:

24. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Another Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft

Players are arriving in Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine. It’s time for another Minnesota Vikings mock draft. 

For this mock draft, the Vikings trade their first round pick (#24) to the Kansas City Chiefs for first- and third-round picks (#31 and #66).

1. (31)   Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

3. (66)   TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

3. (97)   Tre Harris, WR, Mississippi

5. (139) Quincy Wilson, CB, Louisville

5. (160) Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State

With only four draft picks, it feels likely that the Vikings will try and trade back in the first round to increase their opportunities. Seeing as two of their likely positional needs (defensive line and running back) are extremely deep in this draft, a first-round trade back feels even more likely. That being said, there are a few players that if available at #24 the Vikings could/should/would stay put and pick that player. A guess at those players:

Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

and, maybe:

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

At the start of the offseason, Walter Nolen was my #1 draft crush. In the past few weeks, Kenneth Grant has taken that title. Of the two, I believe that Grant is more likely to be available at #24. 

As for this mock draft, I like it. After Walter Nolen, Kenneth Grant, and perhaps Oregon’s Derrick Holmes, Darius Alexander has emerged as a defensive tackle favorite. So much so that the trade-back window is limited for fear of losing the chance at selecting him. TreVeyon Henderson would be an outstanding addition. I don’t think that there’s any chance that he’s available early in the third round. It’s probably more likely that Kansas’ Devin Neal and Central Florida’s RJ Harvey are the top running backs available at #66. But, you never know. Funny things can happen in a draft. Neal and Harvey are nice third-round options. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, aand Jalen Nailor, receiver isn’t the need of some other positions. At 6’3,” Tre Harris would add some needed size to the Vikings receiver group. I really like Quincy Wilson. I doubt that he’s available in the fifth-round so he’s an easy pick here. Seth McLaughlin would immediately provide offensive line depth and perhaps take over for Garrett Bradbury in a year. 

I like this draft. PFF seems to like it as well as they gave it an A-. With TreVeyon Henderson in the third and Quincy Wilson in the first, it should be at worst a solid “A.” 

A Brief History of the Scouting Combine

The Scouting Combine has become an oddly big, televised event on the NFL’s offseason schedule. For younger fans that’s all they’ve known of the event. It wasn’t always like that. It used to be a very secret thing. There were no cameras and no news. It was as if draft prospects and team decision-makers disappeared into a black hole for a few days. That was a very different time. This is a brief look into the history of the Scouting Combine. 

Thanks to then Philadelphia Eagles owner Bert Bell, the NFL Draft was introduced in 1936. At the time, all of the best college prospects gravitated to the league’s best teams. The Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants annually re-stocked and played for championships. The rest of the league’s teams collected scraps and hoped for the best. There had to be a better way of spreading the football talent more evenly and more fairly across the league. Bell suggested the draft. George Halas, Curly Lambeau, and Tim Mara reluctantly agreed. For the first few decades, scouting for the draft was an afterthought. Today’s average fantasy football participant takes part in their drafts far more prepared than those NFL team decision-makers did for their real drafts. Coaches and owners would show up to the draft and just randomly pluck names out of a college football magazine. Maybe a few of them had hot tips from friends in the college coaching ranks. There were no scouts. The first true scouts didn’t appear until the late 1940s and 1950s. Ed Kotal is generally regarded as the first person in league history to travel, watch, and evaluate college football talent. He helped build the Los Angeles Rams into an annual contender and league champion in 1951. Dick Gallagher and Sarge MacKenzie helped stock the powerful Cleveland Browns. A little later, Jack Vainisi built the Green Bay Packers team that Vince Lombardi took to ridiculous heights in the 1960s. 

It’s difficult to imagine a time when football scouting was an afterthought. One of the hardships of football scouting, especially thorough scouting, is the size of this country and the number of colleges, at all levels, that pepper it. To cover it all seems impossible. With hundreds of colleges to visit and thousands of players to see and limited resources to cover them, NFL teams started to enter into partnerships to share the costs and labor. Imagine that. NFL teams working together, sharing resources and information in an effort to get better. It’s inconceivable. The first of these partnerships began in 1963. The Lions, Eagles, Steelers Talent Organization, or LESTO. The Bears joined in 1964 and LESTO magically became BLESTO. In 1964, the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, and St. Louis Cardinals formed Central Eastern Personnel Organization (CEPO). The name was changed to United Scouting after the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, and Washington Redskins joined. In 1983, the name was changed to National Football Scouting. It’s now known simply as the National. In 1964, the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers formed Troika. The group became Quadra when the expansion New Orleans Saints joined in 1967. The Minnesota Vikings joined BLESTO in 1966 and BLESTO became BLESTO-V. Clever. Jerry Reichow insisted the team join as a condition of his becoming the team’s director of scouting. The Vikings are still with BLESTO and Jack Murphy is the team’s BLESTO scout. All of the NFL teams were part of some scouting partnership during the 1960s. 

Prior to the 1970s, NFL teams didn’t typically give physical exams to draft prospects. Medically, the teams had little to no knowledge of the players that they were selecting. During the 1970s, that started to change as teams scheduled individual visits with draft prospects to check them out physically and medically. In both time and money, it was a very costly process. As with most NFL business from 1960-89, Dallas Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm was in the middle of change. He proposed to the league’s Competition Committee holding a centralized event at which evaluations of the draft prospects could take place. In 1982, National Football Scouting, which had expanded to 16 teams after the merger of the NFL and AFL in 1970, held the first National Invitational Camp (NIC) in Tampa. This camp formed the foundation of all those that followed. BLESTO and Quadra held their own camps. 

From 1982-84, BLESTO, NFS, and Quadra held separate camps. To share costs, they decided to merge in 1985. They decided to COMBINE. This merging of the three scouting organizations is why the Scouting Combine is called the Scouting Combine. The first Scouting Combine was held in Phoenix. The second was held in New Orleans. In 1987, the event was moved to it’s, so far, permanent home, Indianapolis. This is the home city of NFS so it’s nice and convenient for them. 

The Scouting Combine did not allow media coverage for nearly two decades. It was a very secret event. It was secret to the extent of being somewhat suspicious. If not suspicious, it was definitely mysterious. Everything changed in 2003 when the NFL launched their own television channel, NFL Network. The 2004 Scouting Combine was the first to be revealed to the public. With each year, the television production and coverage has gotten bigger. Now, it’s a prime time event. The evolution from a very secret event to a very public event has been astonishing. It’s gotten to the point where the actual work being done in Indianapolis is secondary to the coverage of it. 

The future of the Scouting Combine has recently been questioned. Initially, those questions arose because of players (mostly quarterbacks) opting not to take part in some of the testing (mostly throwing). More recently, a few head coaches have decided that it’s not worth their time and skip the event. I don’t really get that decision. If I was a college football prospect meeting with a team and my potential head coach isn’t even there, I’d have second thoughts about that team. My time isn’t worth his time? That’s pretty pathetic. The future of the Scouting Combine in some form should be secure. Perhaps some of the testing is a little too extra but the teams desperately need much of the information that’s gathered there. Less important but surely significant, the Scouting Combine has come to be the starting point of the NFL’s offseason. The couple of months prior to the NFL Draft wouldn’t feel the same without the strange event in Indianapolis that kicks it all off. I’d certainly miss it. 

Minnesota Vikings Salary Cap Boost

NFL financial success is reflected in the salary cap. The league is doing well. The salary cap continues to rise. 

While an official figure has yet to be determined, the league notified clubs that the 2025 salary cap will have a projected range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million. The $4 million range is due to yet-to-be-determined particulars with the NFL Players Association. Those particulars could be settled as early as next week. 

The estimated range is more than clubs had been anticipating. The salary cap is always more than anticipated. In December, teams were budgeting between $265 million to $275 million. Depending upon their degree of optimism, teams will have either a little or a lot more than they expected. 

At a minimum, it’s a $22.1 million leap from the $255.4 salary cap of 2024. At a maximum, it’s a $26.1 million leap. 

So, what does that mean for the Minnesota Vikings? Obviously, it means that they’ll have either a little or a lot more than they expected. At around $60 million, the Vikings were set to have more salary cap space than they’ve had in years, perhaps ever. Now, they’ll have more. $65 million? $65 million with the ability to create even more. 

The Vikings have significant needs on both sides of the trenches. The interior of the offensive line is probably the most significant with the defensive line a close second. They also have needs at cornerback and perhaps safety. So, here’s an open invitation to Trey Smith, Milton Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, Paulson Adebo, D.J. Reed, Charvarius Ward, Mekhi Becton, Will Fries, Levi Onwuzurike, and perhaps Jevon Holland to come to Minnesota. There’s no way the Vikings can afford all of those players but I’d happily pick three, four, or five of them to join the team’s roster. 

Flea Flicker Top 5 Draft Prospects By Position

In advance of next week’s Scouting Combine, here’s another look at the Top 5 draft prospects by position. The Combine shouldn’t impact these rankings much but it always does. 

Quarterbacks

1. Cam Ward, Miami

2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

3. Kyle McCord, Syracuse

4. Jaxson Dart, Mississippi 

5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Running Backs

1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

3. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

4. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

Wide Receivers

1. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

2. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

3. Luther Burden III, Missouri

4. Tre Harris, Mississippi

5. Matthew Golden, Texas

I have Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter at corner. As a receiver, he’d easily be in the Top 5. Perhaps at WR1.

Tight Ends

1. Tyler Warren, Penn State

2. Colston Loveland, Michigan

3. Elijah Arroyo, Miami

4. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

5. Gunnar Helm, Texas

Offensive Tackles

1. Will Campbell, LSU

2. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

3. Josh Simmons, Ohio State

3. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

5. Armand Membou, Missouri

Interior Offensive Line

1. Tyler Booker, Alabama

2. Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

3. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

4. Jared Wilson, Georgia

5. Tate Ratledge, Georgia

Edge

1. Abdul Carter, Penn State

2. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

3. Mike Green, Marshall

4. Mykel Williams, Georgia

5. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

Defensive Tackles

1. Mason Graham, Michigan

2. Walter Nolen, Mississippi

3. Kenneth Grant, Michigan

4. Derrick Harmon, Oregon

5. Joshua Farmer, Florida State

Linebackers

1. Jalon Walker, Georgia

2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

3. Barrett Carter, Clemson

4. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon

5. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

Cornerbacks

1. Travis Hunter, Colorado

2. Jahdae Barron, Texas

3. Will Johnson, Michigan

4. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina

5. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

Safeties

1. Malaki Starks, Georgia

2. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

3. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

4. Andrew Mukuba, Texas

5. Sebastian Castro, Iowa

It’s Tagging Time

The two-week NFL franchise tag window opens today and runs through 4pm ET on March 4. During the window, each team is allowed to tag one player that is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. It would keep the player with the franchise for the 2025 season. 

Franchise tag numbers are based on the top five annual salaries at each position. 

QB:  $41,325,000

LB:  $27,050,000

WR: $25,693,000

OL:  $25,156,000

DE:  $24,727,000

DT:  $23,468,000

CB:  $20,357,000

   S: $19,626,000

TE:  $14,241,000

RB: $13,629,000

ST:  $6,459,000

A few things about the process of coming up with those numbers. It’s ridiculous for the league to have separate numbers for defensive tackles and defensive ends yet group all of the offensive linemen together. It would also be better to group pass-rushing linebackers with the defensive ends. The off-the-ball linebackers certainly benefit from the top salaries of their pass-rushing brethren. There’s no way a team will tag their inside linebacker at $27,050,000 when the going rate is probably half that number. 

It was a long time ago but I remember the days when running backs were some of the highest paid players in the league. They trailed only the quarterbacks. The relative importance of the running back might be the game’s greatest change of the last 30 years. 

So, who’s going to get tagged? Each year, the number of tagged players seems to drop. Last year, nine players were slapped with the franchise tag. Two of those were eventually traded. The Carolina Panthers traded defensive end Brian Burns to the New York Giants a week after tagging him. The Kansas City Chiefs sent cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans a few weeks later. 

Some of the leading franchise tag candidates:

Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Jevon Holland, S, Miami Dolphins

Zack Baun, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

Trey Smith, G, Kansas City Chiefs

Osa Odighizuwa, DT, Dallas Cowboys

Short list. Of those, Tee Higgins and Zack Baun feel like the most likely. One player that won’t be tagged is quarterback Sam Darnold. Many talking heads have said that the Minnesota Vikings should tag their 2024 starter. In my book, it’d be a stupid thing to do. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has spent the last three years working for this moment. Building a competitive roster with a young, franchise quarterback on a rookie deal has been the purpose of his “competitive rebuild.” Why would the Vikings throw all that away with an another giant deal for a quarterback? It’d be a stupid move and I’d be stunned if they made it. 

It’s tagging time. 

Aaron Jones Agreement

The Minnesota Vikings and Aaron Jones didn’t agree on a contract extension. They did agree to push back the void date on Jones’ contract. That’s sort of an extension.

The contract that Aaron Jones signed with the Vikings last offseason was originally set to void today. Had that happened, the Vikings would automatically incur a $3.2 million dead cap hit on their 2025 salary cap. With the agreement, reported by ESPN’s Field Yates on Saturday, the void date has been moved to March 11, one day before the start of free agency. 

Now, the Vikings and Jones have a bit more time to work on a possible contract extension. This doesn’t mean that a new deal will happen. It just means that it could still happen. It’s certainly more likely to happen than if the team had simply let the deadline pass. From a health standpoint, it wasn’t a clean season for Jones. Despite scattered knocks, he did appear in all 17 games for the Vikings in 2024. He set career highs in both carries (255) and rushing yards (1,138) and five touchdowns. He also had 51 receptions for 408 yards and two touchdowns. He turned 30 in December. Running backs often fade as they approach that milestone. Jones didn’t. Other than scattered instances in which he was clearly aching, he was a terrific all-around back. Can he do the same in a season in which he turns 31? The Vikings will likely add a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s a draft loaded with talented backs. Jones would likely still top the depth chart as the Vikings introduce a rookie runner. With fewer carries and fewer hits, perhaps Jones can have a more efficient season in 2025. 

Aaron Jones is still a very good running back. He proved that last season. He’s also an outstanding presence in the locker room. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have made a concerted effort to improve the culture and chemistry of the Vikings. Jones was a big part of that last season. I would imagine that the team’s decision-makers would like him to be part of the team this season. It sounds like Jones would like that as well. We should know in the next three weeks whether they can reach an agreement on a new contract. This agreement is a step in that direction. 

Minnesota Vikings Mock Draft

PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator makes these things too easy. The old days of notebooks, pens, and scattered magazines weren’t that long ago. Here’s another swing at a Minnesota Vikings mock draft. 

1(24).   Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

3(97).   RJ Harvey, RB, Central Florida

5(139). Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

5(160). Connor Colby, G, Iowa

I’d be a fan of this draft. With only four picks (three and an expected third-round Compensatory Pick), the Vikings have limited draft resources. I believe that it’s likely they trade back in the first round to boost those resources. I also believe that there will be a few players that if available at #24, the Vikings will stay where they are and grab that player. The immense, in size and talent, Kenneth Grant could be one of those players. In this mock draft, I’m grabbing Grant. 

The Vikings enter this offseason with significant needs at a few positions.

Defensive Line

Interior Offensive Line

Cornerback

Running Back

Free agency should change the priority of those needs but those positions should be supplemented with the Vikings limited draft resources. I see Kenneth Grant as a Day 1 starter. I like RJ Harvey to immediately partner with Aaron Jones and/or Cam Akers and to evolve into the team’s RB1. Quincy Riley should compete for early playing time. Connor Colby will provide line depth and could eventually start. 

This is probably one of the better PFF Vikings mocks that I’ve had. 

Until the next one. 

NFL Scouting Combine Invites

The NFL Scouting Combine is just over a week away. 329 prospects have been invited to show their stuff in Indianapolis. It’s a good year for the Minnesota Vikings to have some of the needs that they have. Defensive tackle and running back are two of those needs. The 2025 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at those positions. Last year, 25 defensive tackles were invited to the Scouting Combine. This year, 41 have been invited. It’s a very good year to need defensive tackles. Running backs too. Here are the 329 prospects invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.

Colorado’s Heisman-winning, do-everything Travis Hunter is listed with the receivers and the defensive backs. 

Quarterbacks 

Max Brosmer, Minnesota

Brady Cook, Missouri

Jaxson Dart, Mississippi

Quinn Ewers, Texas

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Seth Henigan, Memphis

Will Howard, Ohio State

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

Kyle McCord, Syracuse

Graham Mertz, Florida

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Kurtis Rourke, Indiana

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Tyler Shough, Louisville

Cam Ward, Miami

Running Backs 

LeQuint Allen, Syracuse

Ulysses Bentley IV, Mississippi

Jaydon Blue, Texas

Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech

Donovan Edwards, Michigan

Trevor Etienne, Georgia

DJ Giddens, Kansas State

Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

RJ Harvey, UCF

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas

Jordan James, Oregon

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Montreal Johnson Jr., Florida

Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

Corey Kiner, Cincinnati

Phil Mafah, Clemson

Woody Marks, USC

Damien Martinez, Miami

Kyle Monangai, Rutgers

Kalel Mullings, Michigan

Devin Neal, Kansas

Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

Raheim Sanders, South Carolina

Cam Skattebo, Arizona

Brashard Smith, SMU

Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech

Marcus Yarns, Delaware

Wide Receivers 

Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas

Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

Elijhah Badger, Florida

Jack Bech, TCU

Isaiah Bond, Texas

Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville

Sam Brown Jr., Miami

Pat Bryant, Illinois

Luther Burden III, Missouri

Beaux Collins, Notre Dame

Chimere Dike, Florida

Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Da’Quan Felton, Virginia Tech

Tai Felton, Maryland

Jacolby George, Miami

Matthew Golden, Texas

Tre Harris, Mississippi

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Traeshon Holden, Oregon

Jimmy Horn Jr., Colorado

Tory Horton, Colorado State

Kobe Hudson, UCF

Travis Hunter, Colorado

Daniel Jackson, Minnesota

Tez Johnson, Oregon

Josh Kelly, Texas Tech

KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn

Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech

Dominic Lovett, Georgia

Bru McCoy, Tennessee

Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Konata Mumphield, Pittsburgh 

Nick Nash, San Jose State

Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska

Jaylin Noel, Iowa State

Kaden Prather, Maryland

Xavier Restrepo, Miami

Jalen Royals, Utah State

Arian Smith, Georgia

Roc Taylor, Memphis

Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas 

Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tennessee

Jordan Watkins, Mississippi

Theo Wease Jr., Missouri

Antwane Wells Jr., Mississippi

LaJohntay Wester, Colorado

Ricky White III, UNLV

Kyle Williams, Washington State

Savion Williams, TCU

Tight Ends 

Elijah Arroyo, Miami

Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh

Jake Briningstool, Clemson

Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech

CJ Dippre, Alabama

Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame

Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

Terrance Ferguson, Oregon

Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska

Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse

Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech

Gunnar Helm, Texas

Brant Kuithe, Utah

Luke Lachey, Iowa

Colston Loveland, Michigan

Moliki Matavao, UCLA

Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina

Robbie Ouzts, Alabama

Joshua Simon, South Carolina

Mason Taylor, LSU

Tyler Warren, Penn State

Offensive Linemen 

Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

Anthony Belton, N.C. State

Tyler Booker, Alabama

Logan Brown, Kansas

Will Campbell, LSU

Conor Colby, Iowa

Josh Conerly Jr., LSU

Hayden Conner, Texas

Ajani Cornelius, Oregon

Eli Cox, Kentucky

Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Florida

Garrett Dillinger, Florida

Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

Dylan Fairchild, Georgia

Miles Frazier, LSU

Charles Grant, William & Mary

Joshua Gray, Oregon State

Myles Hinton, Michigan

Joe Huber, Wisconsin

Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

Emery Jones Jr., LSU

Luke Kandra, Cincinnati

Drew Kendall, Boston College

Chase Lundt Connecticut 

Jake Majors, Texas

Marcus Mbow, Purdue

Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State

Armand Membou, Missouri

Wyatt Milum, West Virginia

Jonah Monheim, USC

Jack Nelson, Wisconsin

Hollin Pierce, Rutgers

Tate Ratledge, Georgia

Jalen Rivers, Miami

Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech

Jonah Savalinaea, Arizona

Josh Simmons, Ohio State

Torricelli  Simpkins III, South Carolina

Jackson Slater, Sacramento State

Marcus Tate, Clemson

Branson Taylor, Pittsburgh

Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College

Jalen Travis, Iowa State

Xavier Truss, Georgia

Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M

Clay Webb, Jacksonville State

Cameron Williams, Texas

John Williams, Cincinnati

Jared Wilson, Georgia

Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

Defensive Linemen

Tommy Akingbesote, Maryland

Darius Alexander, Toledo

Tyler Baron, Miami

Tyler Batty, BYU

Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech

Yahya Black, Iowa

Warren Brinson, Georgia

Vernon Broughton, Texas

Jordan Burch, Oregon

Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon

Abdul Carter, Penn State

Alfred Collins, Texas

Howard Cross III, Notre Dame

Fadil Diggs, Syracuse

Ethan Downs, Oklahoma

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

Joshua Farmer, Florida State

Ashton Gillette, Louisville

Mason Graham, Michigan

Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Mike Green, Marshall

Eric Gregory, Arkansas

Ty Hamilton, Ohio State

Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Jared Harrison-Hunte, SMU

Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State

Tonka Hemmingway, South Carolina

Cam Horsley, Boston College

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia

Jared Ivey, Mississippi

Cam Jackson, Florida

Landon Jackson, Arkansas

Sai’vion Jones, LSU

Jay Joyner, Minnesota

DeAndre Jules, South Carolina

Kyle Kennard, South Carolina

Steve Linton, Baylor

Sean Martin, West Virginia

Rylie Mills, Notre Dame

Walter Nolen, Mississippi

Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA

Payton Page, Clemson

James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech

JJ Pegues, Mississippi

Jordan Phillips, Maryland

Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech

Jahvaree Ritzie, North Carolina

Elijah Roberts, SMU

Que Robinson, Alabama

Ty Robinson, Nebraska

Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina

T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

Elijah Simmons, Tennessee

Tim Smith, Alabama

Barryn Sorrell, Texas

Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia

Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Bradyn Swinson, LSU

Junior Tafuna, Utah

Jay Toia, UCLA

JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State

Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi

David Walker, Central Arkansas

Deone Walker, Kentucky

CJ West, Indiana

Mykel Williams, Georgia

Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

Linebackers

Eugene Asante, Auburn

Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon

Carson Bruener, Washington

Teddye Buchanan, Cal

Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

Barrett Carter, Clemson

Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky

Power Echols, North Carolina

Jay Higgins, Iowa

Shemar James, Florida

Kobe King, Penn State

Jack Kiser, Notre Dame

Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina

Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota

Nick Martin, Oklahoma State

Bam Martin-Scott, South Carolina

Francisco Mauigoa, Miami

Jalen McLeod, Auburn

Kain Medrano, UCLA

Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia

Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State

Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi

Tyreem Powell, Rutgers

Karene Reid, Utah

Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

Cody Simon, Ohio State 

Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

Jalon Walker, Georgia

Jackson Woodard, UNLV

Defensive Backs

BJ Adams, UCF

Zy Alexander, LSU

Trey Amos, Mississippi

Jahdae Barron, Texas

Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma

Cobee Bryant, Kansas

Denzel Burke, Ohio State

Sebastian Castro, Iowa

Alijah Clark, Syracuse

Kitan Crawford, Nevada

Mello Dotson, Kansas

Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

O’Donnell Fortune, South Carolina

Zach Frazier, UTSA

Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

Jordan Hancock, Ohio State

Jamari Harris, Iowa

Marcus Harris, Cal

Tommi Hill, Nebraska

Maxen Hook, Toledo

Travis Hunter, Colorado

Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina

Will Johnson, Michigan

Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan

Rayuan Lane III, Navy

Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers

Jason Marshall Jr., Florida

Mac McWilliams, UCF

R.J. Mickens, Clemson

Malachi Moore, Alabama

Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon

Andrew Mukuba, Texas

Jacob Parrish, Kansas State

Darien Porter, Iowa State

Caleb Ransaw, Tulane

Lathan Ransom, Ohio State

Jaylen Reed, Penn State

Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina

Quincy Riley, Louisville

Jonas Sanker, Virginia

Marques Sigle, Kansas State

Jaylin Smith, USC

Malaki Starks, Georgia

Upton Stout, Western Kentucky

Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech

Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State

Dante Trader Jr., Maryland

Malik Verdon, Iowa State

Justin Walley, Minnesota

Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

Isas Waxter, Villanova

Nohl Williams, Cal

Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin

Craig Woodson, Cal

Specialists

Andres Borregales, K, Miami

James Burnip, P, Alabama

Jeremy Crenshaw, P, Florida

Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State

Tyler Loop, K, Arizona

Ben Sauls, K, Pittsburgh