Minnesota Vikings Outside Linebackers

For the 2023 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings and Danielle Hunter have resolved the differences that have kept the outside linebacker a question into late July. The team’s best and most accomplished pass rusher will be on the field. With that question answered, here’s a look at the Vikings outside linebackers. 

Danielle Hunter

Marcus Davenport

D.J. Wonnum

Patrick Jones II

Luiji Vilain

Andre Carter II

Curtis Weaver

Benton Whitley

It doesn’t take more than a lingering look to realize that the Vikings really needed Danielle Hunter on the team. While he stayed away from the team’s offseason work and “held in” for the first few practices of training camp, Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum were the first team outside linebackers. Davenport, a first round pick of the New Orleans Saints, is immensely talented. While he makes some ridiculous plays with tremendous explosion and strength, that immense talent hasn’t consistently shown up in games. That’s why he was available as a free agent this offseason. On talent and potential alone, Hunter and Davenport are an imposing pair of pass rushers. While new defensive coordinator Brian Flores is known to bring pressure from a variety of places, his two outside linebackers should be a constant concern of opposing offenses. Both are also playing for potentially giant new deals next offseason. 

After Hunter and Davenport, there’s some uncertainty with the Vikings outside linebackers. D.J. Wonnum lined up opposite Davenport when Hunter was holding out in the offseason and holding in during training camp. Heading into his fourth season, Wonnum is playing for his Vikings and NFL future. He’s flashed NFL talent but he hasn’t flashed it consistently enough. Patrick Jones II was seeing the field more and making more plays than Wonnum towards the end of last season. Right now, they are good, talented backups. Each has the potential to be more but both have to show it on the field. If Hunter and Davenport stay healthy, the Vikings are in good shape at outside linebacker with their top four. 

Of the remaining four on the training camp roster, undrafted rookie Andre Carter II is the most intriguing. At Army, he lit up quarterbacks during the 2021 season (14.5 sacks). Heading into his final college season, he was projected by most draft evaluators as a first round talent. As the focus of all opposing offenses, he totaled only 3.5 sacks last season. Carter is freakishly long and freakishly talented. He’s also very raw and he needs to get NFL strong. Because of that, he fell out of the draft. A lot of teams wanted him and the Vikings paid handsomely to secure him. If he can get NFL strong, he has the natural talent to be a special player. The question is how long that takes. I think that his potential earns him a roster spot. He’s definitely one of the rookies I’m most intrigued to see on the field. 

Luiji Vilain earned a roster spot as an undrafted rookie last season. He’ll challenge Carter for a roster spot this year. So will Curtis Weaver and Benton Whitley. I think that Carter’s potential wins out even if he’s not quite ready this season. I don’t think that the Vikings will be able to sneak him onto the practice squad. Perhaps team and player might be best served if Carter has some mysterious injury that lands him on injured reserve. That would give him time to get acclimated and stronger. 

The Vikings top four outside linebackers look set. Maybe they only keep four. Who knows? I like Carter, Vilain, Weaver, and Whitley after that. 

Danielle Hunter Is Back!

Danielle Hunter is back!

Actually, he never left. He was on one of those “hold-ins” that are all the rage these days. Per the CBA, players are subject to a non-refundable, non-waivable fine of $50,000 for each day they hold out from training camp. To get around that costly punishment, players do a “hold-in.” They show up so they won’t be fined but do nothing on the field. Hunter had been on a “hold-in” since he reported to training camp on Tuesday. 

The issue was, of course, pay. Hunter’s existing deal was set to pay him $4.9 million for 2023. That’s an itty-bitty number for a player of his talents. He needed a new deal for, at least, this season. The issue was that Hunter’s camp probably wanted a big deal with a few years of security. The Vikings probably wanted a more modest deal with fewer years. Heading into the first off-day of training camp, Hunter and the Vikings apparently landed on a compromise. 

1-year, $17 million, with up to $3 million in incentives. The deal also prohibits the Vikings from using the franchise or transition tag on Hunter next season. 

In the end, the Vikings needed Danielle Hunter. At this late date in the preparation for the 2023 season, any other option (trade, release, whatever) would hurt the team considerably. The Vikings needed Hunter. Now, we can finally see Hunter and free agent addition Marcus Davenport on the field together. We can finally see them together in the defense being crafted by new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The two ultra-talented pass rushers have the potential to give quarterbacks nightmares. Right now, it’s all about potential. Both are more accustomed to playing end in a 4-3. Hunter collected 10.5 sacks last season in his first go-around as a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Vikings defense was horrible and he was one of the few bright spots. He got better the more he played that new position. He should be better prepared and better suited for Flores’ aggressive defense. Davenport was a 4-3 end the entirety of his wildly inconsistent five-year run with the New Orleans Saints. He’s yet to live up to his first round draft status but when he flashes it’s really something else. His physical talents are undeniable. If Flores and outside linebacker coach Mike Smith can consistently get those flash plays out of him, opponents will have a problem. Hunter and Davenport could be a very fun, pass-rushing duo. The only downside to the pairing is that both are free agents next March. That’s a problem for another day. For now, both are Vikings and both will be very important if the defense is to have any success this season. 

Danielle Hunter is back!

Now, attention turns to those extensions for Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson. 

Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame Waits

Minnesota Vikings legendary defensive end Jim Marshall has been waiting for a Pro Football Hall of Fame call (knock) for decades. With Wednesday’s announcement that he’d missed the cut to 12 Senior finalists, his long Hall wait grows to another year. Marshall has been eligible since 1985. His only year as a finalist (2004) was his final year as a modern-era candidate. Now, he’s stuck in the very deep Senior pool of candidates. Marshall is the former Vikings player many fans point to as most deserving of a Hall of Fame bust. While I’d love to see Marshall in Canton, I see Chuck Foreman and Joey Browner as bigger Hall snubs. Foreman has been waiting since 1986. Browner has been waiting since 1998. Neither has received even Marshall-level attention from the Hall of Fame voters. 

Every NFL team fanbase has a player snubbed by the Hall of Fame voters. Every NFL team fanbase feels that the voters hate them. Picking the Hall of Famers is a tough job. The league has been around since 1920. Every decade of it’s existence has players that are deserving of a bust in Canton. Personally, I think that the voters should start with the 1920s, work their way through the years and begin cleaning up the mess that they’ve made. There are many deserving players that have been waiting 20 years longer than Marshall. Anyway, this is about the Hall of Fame waits of Minnesota Vikings players. 

Hall of Fame Waits: Years as a Finalist

1st year: 

Randy Moss (2018)

2nd year:

Alan Page (1988)

Randall McDaniel (2009)

John Randle (2010)

Chris Doleman (2012)

3rd year:

Fran Tarkenton (1986)

Paul Krause (1998)

Steve Hutchinson (2020)

4th year:

Bud Grant (1994)

5th year:

Gary Zimmerman (2008)

6th year:

Ron Yary (2001)

Cris Carter (2013)

13th year:

Carl Eller (2004)

Jim Finks made the Hall of Fame in his only year as a finalist (1995). While deserving as an impactful general manager for turning around three teams, the Hall voters might’ve been feeling a bit sentimental after his passing in 1994. His immediate induction felt a little early. 

Mick Tingelhoff made the Hall of Fame in his only year as a finalist (2015). He made it as a senior player 37 years after he retired. It’s ridiculous that he’d never even been a finalist before 2015. His long wait was a true injustice. He should’ve stood on the Canton stage long before his health started fading. 

Randy Moss is the only Vikings player that made it in his first year of eligibility. Adrian Peterson should be the second in 2027. I’m sure that Fran Tarkenton and Alan Page would’ve made it in their first year with the current quick-twitch voters. Still, it’s more than a little surprising that the league’s all-time leading passer had to wait two years and one of only two defensive players to take home an MVP had to wait one year. 

Hall of Fame Waits: Years after Retirement:

Three Years:

Jim Finks

Six Years:

Randy Moss

Seven Years:

Alan Page

John Randle

Eight Years:

Randall McDaniel

Fran Tarkenton

Steve Hutchinson

Nine Years:

Bud Grant

Gary Zimmerman

Eleven Years:

Cris Carter

Thirteen Years:

Chris Doleman

Nineteen Years:

Paul Krause

Ron Yary

Twenty-five Years:

Carl Eller

Thirty-seven Years:

Mick Tingelhoff

37 years!

Cris Carter, Chris Doleman, Paul Krause, Ron Yary, Carl Eller, and Mick Tingelhoff should not have seen double-digit year waits. I get that Carter was stuck in a receiver logjam that still exists but no receiver ever caught a football as well. Catching a football is pretty important for a receiver and he was the best to ever do it. His six-year wait was excruciating. It felt like 20 to me. It probably felt like 50 to him. I still can’t believe the ridiculously long waits of Krause, Yary, Eller, and Tingelhoff. Krause’s 81 career interceptions is as near an unbeatable record as there is. Yary and Eller have the All-Pro and All-Decade honors of peers that had Hall waits about a quarter as long. If Eller hadn’t made it in his final year as a modern-era candidate, he might still be waiting in the endless Senior pool. It’s crazy that he was a finalist 13 of his 25 years as a modern-era candidate and didn’t make it until his final year of eligibility. Tingelhoff was the center equal of peers Jim Ringo and Jim Otto. Ringo was inducted in 1981. Otto was inducted in 1980. 35 years later, Tingelhoff joined them. 

If the Vikings had won even one of their four Super Bowls, Tarkenton, Page, and Grant are in Canton in their first year of eligibility. The waits of Krause, Yary, Eller, and Tingelhoff are cut considerably. Jim Marshall and Chuck Foreman probably aren’t still waiting. Winning titles do matter to voters. 

The Hall of Fame Wait continues for:

Jim Marshall

Chuck Foreman

Jared Allen

Kevin Williams

Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior and Coach/Contributor Finalists

Twelve candidates in the Seniors category and twelve candidates in the coach/contributor category have inched closer to becoming members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024. 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Senior Committee trimmed a list of 31 semifinalists to 12 finalists:

Ken Anderson

Maxie Baughan

Roger Craig

Randy Gradishar

Joe Jacoby 

Albert Lewis

Steve McMichael

Eddie Meador

Art Powell

Sterling Sharpe

Otis Taylor

Al Wistert

Sadly, not among the 12 finalists is former Minnesota Vikings great Jim Marshall. One year remains of the voters electing up to three seniors so next season is Marshall’s next best chance to make it to Canton. 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Coach/Contributor Committee trimmed a list of 29 semifinalists to 12 finalists:

Tom Coughlin

Mike Holmgren

Frank “Bucko” Kilroy

Robert Kraft

Buddy Parker

Dan Reeves

Art Rooney Jr.

Marty Schottenheimer

Mike Shanahan

Clark Shaugnessy

Lloyd Wells

John Wooten

Of course, after each part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection process one has to stop and pick favorites. Without Jim Marshall pulling at my Vikings heartstrings, my senior picks are a little more open.

It starts with the only player that played games before 1950. 

Al Wistert

The Senior Committee really has to do something about their horrible handling of pre-1950 players. After Wistert, I’ll go with the following two Senior finalists.

Maxie Baughan

Randy Gradishar

I’d like to go with one of the receivers (Otis Taylor, Art Powell, or Sterling Sharpe) but I have to go with the two linebackers that really should’ve been in Canton long ago. 

As for the Coach/Contributor, that’s easy:

Buddy Parker

Unfortunately, I have a feeling that Robert Kraft will get the Contributor nod. I wouldn’t like that for a couple reasons. 1) Parker has long deserved a bust. 2) I don’t get this rush of getting active owners into the Hall. Dan Reeves has long deserved induction. So has Carroll Rosenbloom and going back to the very beginning, Ralph Hay. If I were to rank the Coach/Contributor finalists, Kraft would be about eighth. 

Congratulations to the finalists and best of luck moving forward. 

NFL Draft Signing Tracker

All 32 Training Camps are open. There once was a time when a fairly large number of that year’s draft picks would still be unsigned. Holdouts. Rookie holdouts haven’t really been a thing since the 2011 CBA. Only one player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft remains unsigned. There’s only one rookie holdout. That would be the #5 pick, cornerback Devon Witherspoon. 

2023 First Round

1.   Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama-Signed

2.   Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State-Signed

3.   Houston Texans: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama-Signed

4.   Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida-Signed

5.   Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

6.   Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State-Signed

7.   Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech-Signed

8.   Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas-Signed

9.   Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia-Signed

10. Chicago Bears: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee-Signed

11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern-Signed

12. Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama-Signed

13. Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa-Signed

14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia-Signed

15. New York Jets: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State-Signed

16. Washington Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State-Signed

17. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon-Signed

18. Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa-Signed

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh-Signed

20. Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State-Signed 

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU-Signed

22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College-Signed

23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR, USC-Signed

24. New York Giants: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland-Signed

25. Buffalo Bills: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah-Signed

26. Dallas Cowboys: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan-Signed

27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma-Signed

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson-Signed

29. New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson-Signed

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia-Signed

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State-Signed

When asked, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that he expects Witherspoon to sign soon. The rookie’s still a holdout. With today’s scripted salaries for draft picks, that’s ridiculous. 

Quarterbacks are typically the last draft picks to sign their rookie deals. That’s especially true when three of the quarterbacks are among the top four players selected. The negotiations with highly drafted quarterbacks are often a slow, contentious process. Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson were three of the last draft picks to sign. Even Tennessee Titans second-round pick Will Levis was among the last draft picks to sign. The interesting aspect of this year’s rookie signings was that there were several cornerbacks that remained unsigned as training camps neared. Emmanuel Forbes, Christian Gonzalez, and 32nd pick Joey Porter Jr. remained unsigned with the quarterbacks. Witherspoon remains unsigned. Signing early in the process made New York Giants first-rounder Deonte Banks an outlier. 

A rookie holdout? It’s inconceivable!

Minnesota Vikings 91-Man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings will hold their first practice of training camp today. With the pre-reporting tweaks to the roster over the past couple of days, the Vikings are at their 91-man roster limit. Rookie defensive lineman Junior Aho is part of the league’s International Player Pathway Program. As such, he doesn’t count against the team’s 90-man roster limit.

On the day of the first practice of Training Camp 2023, here’s the current roster of the Minnesota Vikings. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Offense (43)

Quarterback (3)

  8 Kirk Cousins

12 Nick Mullens

16 Jaren Hall

Running Back (4)

  2 Alexander Mattison 

26 Kene Nwangwu

32 Ty Chandler

37 DeWayne McBride

Fullback (2)

30 C.J. Ham

41 Zach Ojile

Wide Receiver (12)

18 Justin Jefferson

17 K.J. Osborn

  3 Jordan Addison

  5 Jalen Reager

83 Jalen Nailor

19 Brandon Powell

  9 Trishton Jackson

13 Blake Proehl

89 Thayer Thomas

85 Cephus Johnson II

15 Lucky Jackson

82 Garrett Maag

Tight End (6)

87 T. J Hockenson

84 Josh Oliver

86 Johnny Mundt

34 Nick Muse

49 Ben Sims

48 Colin Thompson

Offensive Linemen (16)

71 Christian Darrisaw

72 Ezra Cleveland

56 Garrett Bradbury 

67 Ed Ingram

75 Brian O’Neill

64 Blake Brandel

65 Austin Schlottman

62 Chris Reed

74 Oli Udoh

79 Vederian Lowe

60 Josh Sokol

66 Alan Ali

63 Jacky Chen

61 Sam Schlueter

     Bobby Evans

68 Jack Snyder

Defense (44)

Defensive Line (12)

94 Dean Lowry

97 Harrison Phillips

92 James Lynch

95 Khyiris Tonga

90 Esezi Otomewo

78 Jaquelin Roy

93 Jonathan Bullard

96 Ross Blacklock

50 T. J. Smith

52 Sheldon Day

69 Calvin Avery

73 Junior Aho

Outside Linebacker (8)

99 Danielle Hunter

  0 Marcus Davenport

98 D.J.Wonnum

91 Patrick Jones

43 Luiji Vilain

51 Benton Whitley

54 Curtis Weaver

57 Andre Carter  II

Inside Linebacker (8)

33 Brian Asamoah

58 Jordan Hicks

45 Troy Dye

59 Troy Reeder

47 William Kwenkeu

40 Ivan Pace Jr. 

57 Wilson Huber

39 Abraham Beauplan

Cornerback (10)

  7 Byron Murphy Jr.

21 Akayleb Evans

23 Andrew Booth Jr.

11 Mekhi Blackmon

29 Joejuan Williams

31 Tay Gowan

27 Kalon Barnes

38 Jaylin Williams

36 NaJee Thompson

35 C. J. Coldon 

Safety (6)

22 Harrison Smith

  6 Lewis Cine

24 Camryn Bynum

44 Josh Metellus

20 Jay Ward

25 Theo Jackson

Special Teams (4)

Kicker (2)

  1 Greg Joseph

46 Jack Podlesny

Punter (1)

14 Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

42 Andrew DePaola

Minnesota Vikings Pre-Reporting Roster Tweaks

On the eve of the full team reporting to training camp, the Minnesota Vikings made a relative flurry of roster tweaks. 

Signed: TE Colin Thompson

Signed: OL Bobby Evans

Signed: G Jack Snyder

Waived/Non-Football Injury: WR Malik Knowles

Placed on Active/PUP List: OLB Andre Carter II

Placed on Active/Non-Football Injury List: OL Chris Reed

The Vikings had two open roster spots coming into the day. The injury release of Malik Knowles made it three. Colin Thompson, Bobby Evans, and Jack Snyder were signed to fill those spots. 

Thompson is the most experienced of the trio. After going undrafted in 2017 out of Temple, he signed with the New York Giants. After an August appendectomy surgery, he was waived. The Chicago Bears signed Thompson to their practice squad in November 2017. He signed a reserve/futures contract after the season. He was waived before the 2018 season. In 2019 and 2020 he had short stints with the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football and the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL. In 2020, Thompson reunited with Temple coach Matt Ruhle with the Carolina Panthers. Vikings tight end coach Brian Angelichio coached the Panthers tight ends in 2020 and 2021. Thompson has one NFL catch. He made it count as he scored from seven yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2020 season. He’s also an experienced long snapper. 

Bobby Evans and Jack Snyder will provide some extra offensive line depth. Both come from the Los Angeles Rams. Bobby Evans started started his Rams and NFL career in fine fashion as a 2019 third-round pick out of Oklahoma. Things haven’t gone well since. He struggled in seven starts at right tackle as a rookie and four games at left guard last season. Perhaps he can work things out with the Vikings as he still has the talent that once got him drafted in the third round. After going undrafted out of San Jose State in 2022, Snyder signed with the Rams. He spent this past spring with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks. 

Hopefully, Chris Reed and Andre Carter II will have short stays on the sideline. It’s never great to miss training camp time during the chase for roster spots. That’s especially true for Carter. As a very raw rookie pass rusher, he needs every rep he can get. Despite not being drafted, he’s freakishly long and talented. He really just needs to get NFL strong. Everything else seems to be there. Now, he has to get back on the field. 

The Vikings full roster, now numbering 91 players, report to training camp at TCO Performance Center today. Minnesota Vikings 2023 Training Camp is here!

Minnesota Vikings Report For Training Camp

Quarterbacks, select veterans, and rookies reported to Minnesota Vikings training camp yesterday. 37 of the 89 players on the roster arrived at Twin City Orthopedics Performance Center to kick off the Minnesota Vikings 2023 Training Camp. 

The 37 Players:

Jordan Addison

Junior Aho

Alan Ali

Calvin Avery

Abraham Beauplan

Ross Blacklock

Mekhi Blackmon

Andre Carter II

Jacky Chen

C.J. Coldon Jr.

Kirk Cousins

Jaren Hall

Wilson Huber

Lucky Jackson

Cephus Johnson III

Malik Knowles

William Kwenkeu

James Lynch

Garett Maag

DeWayne McBride

Nick Mullens

Zach Ojile

Brian O’Neill

Ivan Pace Jr.

Harrison Phillips

Jack Podlesny

Blake Proehl

Chris Reed

Jaquelin Roy

Sam Schlueter

Ben Sims

T.J. Smith

Josh Sokol

Thayer Thomas

NaJee Thompson

Jay Ward

Jaylin Williams

Welcome back!

The rest of the team will report to TCO Performance Center tomorrow. Then the football fun and preparations for the 2023 season will begin. 

Minnesota Vikings 89-man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings rookies report to training camp in Eagan today. The veterans report on Tuesday. Training camp is finally here! The team’s roster is currently at 89 players. Rookie defensive lineman Junior Aho is part of the league’s International Player Pathway Program. As such, he doesn’t count against the team’s 90-man roster limit. If needed, the Vikings could add two players. 

On the day of the opening of training camp, here’s the current roster of the Minnesota Vikings. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Offense (41)

Quarterback (3)

  8 Kirk Cousins

12 Nick Mullens

16 Jaren Hall

Running Back (4)

  2 Alexander Mattison 

26 Kene Nwangwu

32 Ty Chandler

37 DeWayne McBride

Fullback (2)

30 C.J. Ham

41 Zach Ojile

Wide Receiver (13)

18 Justin Jefferson

17 K.J. Osborn

  3 Jordan Addison

  5 Jalen Reager

83 Jalen Nailor

19 Brandon Powell

  9 Trishton Jackson

13 Blake Proehl

89 Thayer Thomas

81 Malik Knowles

85 Cephus Johnson II

15 Lucky Jackson

82 Garrett Maag

Tight End (5)

87 T. J Hockenson

84 Josh Oliver

86 Johnny Mundt

34 Nick Muse

49 Ben Sims

Offensive Linemen (14)

71 Christian Darrisaw

72 Ezra Cleveland

56 Garrett Bradbury 

67 Ed Ingram

75 Brian O’Neill

64 Blake Brandel

65 Austin Schlottman

62 Chris Reed

74 Oli Udoh

79 Vederian Lowe

60 Josh Sokol

66 Alan Ali

63 Jacky Chen

61 Sam Schlueter

Defense (44)

Defensive Line (12)

94 Dean Lowry

97 Harrison Phillips

92 James Lynch

95 Khyiris Tonga

90 Esezi Otomewo

78 Jaquelin Roy

93 Jonathan Bullard

96 Ross Blacklock

50 T. J. Smith

52 Sheldon Day

69 Calvin Avery

73 Junior Aho

Outside Linebacker (8)

99 Danielle Hunter

  0 Marcus Davenport

98 D.J.Wonnum

91 Patrick Jones

43 Luiji Vilain

51 Benton Whitley

54 Curtis Weaver

57 Andre Carter  II

Inside Linebacker (8)

33 Brian Asamoah

58 Jordan Hicks

45 Troy Dye

59 Troy Reeder

47 William Kwenkeu

40 Ivan Pace Jr. 

57 Wilson Huber

39 Abraham Beauplan

Cornerback (10)

  7 Byron Murphy Jr.

21 Akayleb Evans

23 Andrew Booth Jr.

11 Mekhi Blackmon

29 Joejuan Williams

31 Tay Gowan

27 Kalon Barnes

38 Jaylin Williams

36 NaJee Thompson

35 C. J. Coldon 

Safety (6)

22 Harrison Smith

  6 Lewis Cine

24 Camryn Bynum

44 Josh Metellus

20 Jay Ward

25 Theo Jackson

Special Teams (4)

Kicker (2)

  1 Greg Joseph

46 Jack Podlesny

Punter (1)

14 Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

42 Andrew DePaola

Minnesota Vikings Position Rankings

The Minnesota Vikings rookies report for training camp tomorrow. The veterans report on Tuesday. On the eve of the “start” of the preparation for the 2023 season, here’s a ranking of the team’s position groups. 

1. Offensive Tackles

LT Christian Darrisaw

RT Brian O’Neill

Backups:

Blake Brandel

Oli Udoh

Vederian Lowe

Jacky Chen

Sam Schlueter

Alan Ali

This is easy. In two seasons, Christian Darrisaw has emerged as one of the best offensive tackles in the game. In five seasons, Brian O’Neill has developed into one of the better right tackles in the league. Unfortunately, Darrisaw and O’Neill missed a few games last year. Blake Brandel and Oli Udoh had to step up. They did. The Vikings have a recent history of horrid offensive line play. Right now, the starting tackles have the potential to be the best bookend tackles in franchise history. And the backups can play.

2. Long Snapper

Andrew DePaola

Andrew DePaola is one of the league’s best long snappers.

3. Receivers

Justin Jefferson

K.J. Osborn

Jordan Addison

Jalen Nailor

Jalen Reagor

Brandon Powell

Trishton Jackson

Blake Proehl

Lucky Jackson

Cephus Johnson 

Malik Knowles

Thayer Thomas

Garrett Haag

This ranking is mostly due to the greatness of  Justin Jefferson. K.J. Osborn deserves a chance to be #2. Jordan Addison was drafted to be and has the talent to be a wonderful #1b. I like the potential of Jalen Nailor. In Jefferson, Osborn, Addison, and Nailor, the Vikings have a terrific, young receiver group. There’s a wide open competition for receiver #5. Or 6.

4. Safeties

Harrison Smith

Camryn Bynum

Lewis Cine

Josh Metellus

Jay Ward

Theo Jackson

Harrison Smith has been one of the league’s best safeties since he was drafted in 2012. With Brian Flores calling the defense, this could be one of his best seasons. That’s a very high bar. Camryn Bynum was solid in his first season as a starter. Lewis Cine was drafted to be a cornerstone of the Vikings secondary. He’s coming back from a brutal injury. He has the talent to be special. Through the OTAs, Josh Metellus has been the most versatile and curious Vikings defensive player. It looks like he’s going to be a chess piece for Flores. Safety, nickel, linebacker, pass rusher, a bit of everything. Similar to the apparent future for Metellus, Jay Ward was drafted in the fourth round to play all over the secondary. He’s listed as a safety but he’s as likely to be with the cornerbacks. I expect him to be a versatile defender for years. About a decade ago, Theo Jackson would’ve topped the Vikings safety depth chart. He’s a very good football player. Right now, the Vikings have four legitimate NFL starters in their safety room. Smith, Bynum, Cine, and Metellus. With Ward, I expect the Vikings to keep five safeties. 

5. Outside Linebackers

Danielle Hunter

Marcus Davenport

Patrick Jones II

D.J. Wonnum

Luiji Vilain

Andre Carter II

Curtis Weaver

Benton Whitley

This ranking is based on the assumption that the Vikings will work out the contract issues of Danielle Hunter. He and Marcus Davenport have the talent to be one of the best pass rush duos in the league. I’m excited to see both in Brian Flores’ defense. While there is some potential behind Hunter and Davenport, it is all just potential. Patrick Jones II and D.J. Wonnum are playing for their next NFL contract. Whether that is with the Vikings is up to their play this year. Rookie undrafted free agent Andre Carter II is a player to watch. Prior to his final season at Army, he was projected to be one of the top pass rushers in the draft. He fell in the draft because he’s a raw talent. A very raw talent. But the talent is definitely there and it’s on a freakishly long 6’6” frame.

6. Tight Ends

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Johnny Mundt

Nick Muse

Ben Sims

The Vikings acquired T.J. Hockenson at the trade deadline last season. He immediately became target #2. He’s probably target #2, after Justin Jefferson, for the remainder of his time with the Vikings. Hopefully, that is a long and productive time. Josh Oliver was a priority free agency signing of the Vikings this offseason. The tampering period was about an hour old and Oliver had agreed to be a Viking. Fast stuff. Initially, I thought that his signing was for the running game. He’d been a devastating edge blocker for the Baltimore Ravens. I have such fond memories of Jim Kleinsasser obliterating edge defenders. Is Oliver going to be another Kleinsasser? Oliver has the talent to be so much more than he’s been. Hockenson, Oliver, Johnny Mundt. All have shown the ability to impact a defense. 

7. Fullback

C.J. Ham

Zach Ojile

C.J. Ham is one of the best fullbacks in the league.

8. Quarterbacks

Kirk Cousins

Nick Mullens

Jaren Hall

Kirk Cousins is one of the better starting quarterbacks in the league. Nick Mullens is one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league. Jaren Hall is a rookie with some intriguing tools. 

9. Running Backs

Alexander Mattison

Ty Chandler

Kene Nwangwu

DeWayne McBride

This is an interesting group. With Dalvin Cook’s release this offseason, Alexander Mattison is finally getting a shot to be the lead back. He’s shown potential while backing up Cook and in spot starts. He’s ready. With their speed, Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu are nice compliments to Mattison. Despite being drafted in the seventh round, DeWayne McBride has the running talent to be the Vikings back of the future. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s getting some important carries by the end of the season. 

10. Inside Linebackers

Jordan Hicks

Brian Asamoah

Troy Dye

Troy Reader

Ivan Pace Jr.

William Kwenkeu

Wilson Huber

Jordan Hicks is the veteran leader. He’ll likely be the quarterback of the defense. The Vikings released Eric Kendricks partly to make room for Brian Asamoah. He’s going to make plays all over the field. Asamoah is my top breakout player for the Vikings. There will be a wide open competition for the backup spots. I really like the potential of undrafted free agent Ivan Pace Jr. I see him as an eventual starter. 

11. Punter

Ryan Wright

Ryan Wright was terrific as a rookie last season. If he continues to progress, the Vikings are set at punter for a while. 

12. Cornerbacks

Byron Murphy Jr.

Akayleb Evans

Andrew Booth Jr.

Mekhi Blackmon

Joejuan Williams

Tay Gowan

Kalon Barnes

C.J. Coldon Jr.

Najee Thompson

Jaylin Williams

Cornerback is one of the Vikings biggest unknowns. It’s a young group topped by free agent addition Byron Murphy Jr. I like the talent and potential of the group. The competition to start with Murphy is wide open. Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., and Mekhi Blackmon are the top contenders. Cornerback is circled as a Vikings weakness by most pundits. I think that it’s going to be a surprising strength. 

13. Guards

Ezra Cleveland

Ed Ingram

Chris Reed

The Vikings offensive line is finally heading in the right direction. Most of that is on the team’s excellent tackles. The interior of the line had too many low moments. It resulted in Kirk Cousins being hit way too many times. Ezra Cleveland and Ed Ingram have to get better. The potential is there. Chris Reed is a solid, versatile backup. 

14. Kicker

Greg Joseph

Jack Podlesny

Greg Joseph had a lot of high moments last season. He had several clutch, game-winning kicks. He still missed an infuriating number of extra points. Undrafted free agent Jack Podlesny will compete with Joseph in training camp. 

15. Center

Garrett Bradbury

Austin Schlottman

Josh Sokol

Garrett Bradbury had his best season last season. It earned him a second contract. He still has to get better. He has to play to that first round status. Austin Schlottman proved to be a solid backup. When he was lost to injury, the Vikings offensive line play plummeted.

16. Defensive Line

Harrison Phillips

Dean Lowry

Khyiris Tonga

Jonathan Bullard

Esezi Otomewo

Jaquelin Roy

James Lynch

Ross Blacklock

Calvin Avery

T.J. Smith

Junio Aho

I think that defensive line is the Vikings biggest unknown. I see the group as a bigger unknown than cornerback. Harrison Phillips is the only certain starter. The key to the group now and moving forward might be second-year Esezi Otomewo and rookie Jaquelin Roy. I see both as eventual starters. Perhaps as early as this season. The Vikings really need this group to emerge. 

NFL Draft Seven-Round Signing Tracker

Training camps start opening in about a week. Some teams still have some draft picks to sign. Most of the signing interest is on the players selected in the first round. Here’s an update of the signing status of the players selected in that first round as well as a brief summary of the players selected 32-259. 

First Round

1.   Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

2.   Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

3.   Houston Texans: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama-Signed

4.   Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

5.   Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

6.   Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State-Signed

7.   Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech-Signed

8.   Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas-Signed

9.   Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia-Signed

10. Chicago Bears: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee-Signed

11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern-Signed

12. Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama-Signed

13. Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa-Signed

14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia-Signed

15. New York Jets: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State-Signed

16. Washington Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

17. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

18. Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa-Signed

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh-Signed

20. Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State-Signed 

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU-Signed

22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College-Signed

23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR, USC-Signed

24. New York Giants: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland-Signed

25. Buffalo Bills: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah-Signed

26. Dallas Cowboys: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan-Signed

27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma-Signed

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson-Signed

29. New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson-Signed

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia-Signed

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State-Signed

25 of the 31 players selected in the first round have signed their rookie contracts. 80.6% of the players selected in the first round are signed. 

Second Round

25/32-signed

78.1%

The players selected in the second round are annually the slowest/most difficult to sign. 

Third Round

39/39-signed

100%

Fourth Round

32/33-signed

93.9%

Fifth Round

42/42-signed

100%

Sixth Round

40/40-signed 

100%

Seventh Round

42/42-signed

100%

All Rounds

245/259-signed

94.6% of the players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft have signed their first NFL contract. 

Four of the top 10 unsigned players are the four highest drafted quarterbacks. 

Unsigned Picks by Team

Carolina Panthers: 

1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Houston Texans

1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Indianapolis Colts

1. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

2. Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

4. Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

New England Patriots

1. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

2. Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech

Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Seattle Seahawks

1. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

2. Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2. Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State

Tennessee Titans

2. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Washington Commanders

1. Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

2. Jartavius Martin, CB, Illinois

Throwback Thursday: George Allen’s All - Time Team

This Flicker was originally published 8/6/20. 

I was flipping through George Allen's book Pro Football's 100 Greatest Players. It's a fun, interesting read. It was so fun and interesting that I had to post the All-Time Team that he included in the book. Allen was born in 1922. He started his long, distinguished coaching career in 1948. He's seen, coached, and coached against some of the best football players in the game's history. It should be kept in mind that Pro Football's 100 Greatest Players was published in 1982.

George Allen's All-Time Team

Offense

Quarterback

Sammy Baugh

Halfbacks

Jim Brown

O.J. Simpson

Fullback

Bronko Nagurski

Receivers

Don Hutson

Lenny Moore

Tight End

Pete Pihos

Tackles

Jim Parker

Forrest Gregg

Guards

Danny Fortmann

Ron Mix

Center

Mel Hein

Place Kicker

George Blanda

Defense

Defensive Ends

Deacon Jones

Gino Marchetti

Defensive Tackles

Bob Lilly

Leo Nomellini

Middle Guard

Bill Willis

Linebackers

Chuck Bednarik

Bill George

Dick Butkus

Cornerbacks

Herb Adderley

Dick "Night Train" Lane

Safeties

Jack Christiansen

Emlen Tunnell

Punter

Sammy Baugh

***

I love seeing an all-time team that has Sammy Baugh on it. Twice.

It's interesting that Allen took some liberties with the positions that a couple players played. That's not to say that Lenny Moore never played outside the backfield and Ron Mix never slid inside to guard. Each did those things but Moore played running back and Mix played tackle for the majority of their careers. One of Allen’s All - Time tackles, Jim Parker, played more games at guard than Mix. 

It's cool to see Allen recognize Bill Willis and the departed middle guard position. 

All - Time Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster

After counting down the 100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players, I started thinking about a 53-man roster made up of those greats. Here’s that roster. 

Minnesota Vikings All-Time 53-Man Roster

Offense

Quarterbacks
Fran Tarkenton
Daunte Culpepper
Kirk Cousins

Halfbacks
Adrian Peterson
Chuck Foreman
Robert Smith

Fullback
Bill Brown

Receivers
Cris Carter
Randy Moss

Justin Jefferson
Ahmad Rashad
Anthony Carter
Adam Thielen 

Tight Ends

Steve Jordan
Kyle Rudolph
Jim Kleinsasser

Tackles
Ron Yary
Gary Zimmerman
Grady Alderman

Guards
Randall McDaniel
Steve Hutchinson
Ed White

Centers
Mick Tingelhoff
Matt Birk

Defense

Defensive Ends
Carl Eller
Chris Doleman
Jim Marshall
Jared Allen

Danielle Hunter

Defensive Tackles
Alan Page
John Randle
Keith Millard
Kevin Williams

Linebackers
Matt Blair

Eric Kendricks

Anthony Barr

Chad Greenway
Scott Studwell
Matt Blair

Cornerbacks
Antoine Winfield
Xavier Rhodes
Carl Lee
Bobby Bryant
Nate Wright

Safeties
Paul Krause
Harrison Smith

Joey Browner
Robert Griffith

Special Teams

Kicker
Ryan Longwell

Punter
Chris Kluwe

Long Snapper
Cullen Loeffler

Kick Returner
Cordarrelle Pattereson

Punt Returner
Marcus Sherels

Flea Flicker Top 10 Receivers

ESPN concluded their preseason positional Top 10 rankings with their view of the league’s 10 best receivers. The final rankings are based on rankings submitted by more than 80 executives, coaches, scouts, and players. All of the rankings are fun and interesting. I was especially curious about the receiver rankings because of the expected #1. Justin Jefferson. After only three seasons, he’s the best. He’s had three great, productive seasons. Each one has been greater and more productive than the previous. ESPN’s panel of voters see it that way as well. After ranking #4 after his second season, Jefferson is ranked #1. Although, some joker somehow found a way to rank him #7. I’m not sure how that person has a job in football. ESPN’s ranking is behind their ESPN+ paywall so it’s something of a no-no to post the entire ranking. Instead, here’s my ranking of the league’s 10 best receivers.

Flea Flicker Top 10 Receivers

1.   Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

2.   Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders

3.   Cooper Kupp, Las Angeles Rams

4.   Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

5.   Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

6.   Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

7.   Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

8.   Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

9.   CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

10. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

Most top six rankings of the league’s best receivers should be some combination of the above. After the top six, it’s fairly wide open. I’ve really liked Terry McLaurin since his Ohio State days. I still don’t know how he was available in the third round. As a Vikings fan, Amon-Ra St. Brown is a real pain. He always finds a way to get open. CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown played their way into my Top 10 last season. While Brown has the final spot in my Top 10, I’m edging toward DeVonta Smith as the better Philadelphia Eagles receiver. 

Next up: Jordan Addison joining next year’s list of the league’s Top 10 Receivers. 

A Hard Knocks History

The New York Jets will be the next team to appear on Hard Knocks. Apparently, they were forced to do it. That’s no surprise as few teams ever want the intrusion. No teams wanted it this year. If the NFL was going to force a team to do the show, I wish that they’d gone another route. I love the show but I can’t stomach the thought of seeing or listening to Aaron Rodgers for even a moment. I wish that he’d scamper off to a dark space and retire. Anyway, we get Rodgers and the Jets weekly this summer. Thinking about that unfortunate situation got me thinking about the past seasons of Hard Knocks. It got me thinking about the teams that have done the show and those that have dodged it. 

 

A Hard Knocks History

2001: Baltimore Ravens

2002: Dallas Cowboys

2007: Kansas City Chiefs

2008: Dallas Cowboys

2009: Cincinnati Bengals

2010: New York Jets

2011: No show due to the lockout. 

2012: Miami Dolphins

2013: Cincinnati Bengals

In October of 2013, the league came up with a formula to get around a situation in which no team wanted to do the show. Expanding and putting eyes on “the shield” is far more important than a team getting ready for the season. Three factors would exempt teams: 

1. Having a new head coach.

2. Making the playoffs in either of the last two seasons.

3. Submitting to the show in the last ten years.

Until this year, a team always agreed to do the show.

Back to the list:

2014: Atlanta Falcons

2015: Houston Texans

2016: Los Angeles Rams

2017: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2018: Cleveland Browns

2019: Oakland Raiders

2020: Los Angeles Rams & Los Angeles Chargers

2021: Dallas Cowboys

2022: Detroit Lions

2023: New York Jets

The last two seasons there have also been in-season editions of Hard Knocks:

2021: Indianapolis Colts

2022: Arizona Cardinals

That’s 18 years of Hard Knocks. 18 intrusions into a team’s preparation for the season. Two more intrusions while a team is playing the season.

Team Appearances:

3: Dallas Cowboys

2: Cincinnati Bengals

2: New York Jets

2: Los Angeles Rams

1: Baltimore Ravens

1: Kansas City Chiefs

1: Miami Dolphins

1: Atlanta Falcons

1: Houston Texans

1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1: Cleveland Browns

1: Oakland Raiders

1: Los Angeles Chargers

1: Detroit Lions

1: Indianapolis Colts (in-season)

1: Arizona Cardinals (in-season)

14 teams have done Hard Knocks. Throw in the two that did the in-season version and half of the teams in the league have cooperated with NFL Films and HBO. 

I’ve enjoyed every season of the show. While I’d personally love to get an inside look at training camp of the Minnesota Vikings I never want to see the team on Hard Knocks. I know that the NFL Films crews are great at what they do but I simply don’t want the intrusion into their preparations for a season. 

NFL Draft Seven-Round Signing Tracker

Training camps start opening in about a week. Some teams still have some draft picks to sign. Most of the signing interest is on the players selected in the first round. Here’s an update of the signing status of the players selected in that first round as well as a brief summary of the players selected 32-259. 

First Round

1.   Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

2.   Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

3.   Houston Texans: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama-Signed

4.   Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

5.   Seattle Seahawks: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

6.   Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State-Signed

7.   Las Vegas Raiders: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech-Signed

8.   Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas-Signed

9.   Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia-Signed

10. Chicago Bears: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee-Signed

11. Tennessee Titans: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern-Signed

12. Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

13. Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa-Signed

14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia-Signed

15. New York Jets: Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State

16. Washington Commanders: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

17. New England Patriots: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

18. Detroit Lions: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa-Signed

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh-Signed

20. Seattle Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State-Signed 

21. Los Angeles Chargers: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU-Signed

22. Baltimore Ravens: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College-Signed

23. Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Addison, WR, USC-Signed

24. New York Giants: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland-Signed

25. Buffalo Bills: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah-Signed

26. Dallas Cowboys: Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan-Signed

27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma-Signed

28. Cincinnati Bengals: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson-Signed

29. New Orleans Saints: Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson-Signed

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia-Signed

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State-Signed

23 of the 31 players selected in the first round have signed their rookie contracts. 74.2% of the players selected in the first round are signed. 

Second Round

20/32-signed

62.5%

The players selected in the second round are annually the slowest/most difficult to sign. 

Third Round

39/39-signed

100%

Fourth Round

31/33-signed

93.9%

Fifth Round

42/42-signed

100%

Sixth Round

40/40-signed 

100%

Seventh Round

42/42-signed

100%

All Rounds

237/259-signed

91.5% of the players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft have signed their first NFL contract. 

Four of the top 10 unsigned players are the four highest drafted quarterbacks of the draft. 

Unsigned Picks by Team

Carolina Panthers: 

1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Detroit Lions

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama 

2. Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Green Bay Packers

2. Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

2. Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State

Houston Texans

1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Indianapolis Colts

1. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

2. Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

4. Blake Freeland, OT, BYU

New England Patriots

1. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

2. Keion White, Edge, Georgia Tech

New Orleans Saints

2. Isaiah Foksey, Edge, Notre Dame

New York Jets

1. Will McDonald, Edge, Iowa State

2. Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin

Philadelphia Eagles 

4. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Seattle Seahawks

1. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

2. Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2. Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State

Tennessee Titans

2. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Washington Commanders

1. Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

2. Jartavius Martin, CB, Illinois

100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players: 10-1

Finally. This countdown of the 100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players comes to an end with the Top 10 players in franchise history. Well, one person’s view of the 10 greatest players in franchise history. 

100 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players: 10-1

  10. Jim Marshall, DE

    9. Steve Hutchinson, OG

    8. Carl Eller, DE

    7. John Randle, DT

    6. Fran Tarkenton, QB

    5. Adrian Peterson, RB

    4. Randall McDaniel

    3. Randy Moss, WR

    2. Cris Carter, WR

    1. Alan Page, DT

Jim Marshall is the outlier among the Top 10 Greatest Minnesota Vikings Players. He’s the only one of the ten not honored in Canton (Adrian Peterson will soon be there). I’m not going to discuss whether Marshall’s Canton absence is right or wrong. I flip back and forth on the topic so frequently that it’s pointless to try. Besides, this is about his place in Vikings history. I have Marshall among the top ten mostly for his importance to the franchise. He was a very good football player but he wasn’t even the best football player on the defensive line. Or the second best. Despite that, Marshall might be the most important football player in team history. That is why his Hall of Fame candidacy is such a sensitive topic for Vikings fans. He was the leader of the Vikings throughout the team’s first AND second decades. He played defensive end for twenty years. He never missed a game. He played in a 12-game season, 17 14-game seasons, and two 16-game seasons. I guess that he needs to come back at the age of 85 to experience a 17-game season. I wouldn’t put it past him. Marshall was incredible. He was always there for his team. Through four Super Bowls and the team’s “glory” days, he was the heart and the soul of his team. The players looked up to him. The coaches looked to him. If only the Hall of Fame voters could quantify that. With up to three senior players making it to Canton each year for the next two years, Marshall’s best shot is now.  

The Vikings offensive line has been a problem for so long that it’s a struggle to remember a time when Steve Hutchinson was a part of the line. It’s worth the struggle. Remembering his blocking for the Vikings is pure joy. In 2006, his first in Minnesota, Hutchinson was probably the team’s MVP, certainly the offensive MVP. He was brilliant. That brilliance became his baseline over the next five seasons. The only issue that I have with Hutchinson’s career is that it started in Seattle and ended in Tennessee. 

When I was discovering football and falling for the Vikings, I was drawn to Alan Page when the defense was on the field. No matter how focused I was on Page I couldn’t ignore the hulking “81” flashing across the screen. Carl Eller looked huge. I was always intrigued by Page. I think that I was scared of Eller. 

John Randle was too small for the NFL. He was too small to hold up in the trenches. He still dominated both. I was at a Vikings-Raiders game in 1996. The Vikings won in overtime. Randle took over the game in the fourth quarter. That was nothing new. He often did that. It was fun to see it in person. He was a fun, entertaining, and great football player. Among Vikings fans of his era, Randle is a universal favorite. 

Any player in the final six could take the top spot. Due to the position that he played, Fran Tarkenton might be #1 on many lists. He was the quarterback of my youth. Due to injuries, bad luck, whatever, the Vikings are still looking for a franchise quarterback to replace him. At the time of his retirement after the 1978 season, Tarkenton held every career passing record. He held those records longer than any quarterback ever has. It took Dan Marino until the mid-1990s to finally chase down those numbers. Every quarterback that came after Tarkenton played a game that favored the pass. Heavily favored the pass. Tarkenton played all of his career during an era that heavily favored the run. 

In a passing league, Adrian Peterson made it fun to run again. He had games of 224 yards and an NFL-record 296 yards as a rookie in 2007. He was just getting started. The highlight of his brilliant career was his NFL MVP season of 2012. A knee injury ended his 2011 season. He wasn’t supposed to be ready for the start of the next season. He was. 2097 yards. Eight yards short of Eric Dickerson’s season record. Peterson led the league in rushing three times. He could run through and past defenders like no other back that I’ve ever seen. 

Two guards in the Top 10. That feels odd. It also feels right. Randall McDaniel and Steve Hutchinson are deserving of their place in this Top 10. In my book, McDaniel is right there with John Hannah and Larry Allen as the best guards of my lifetime. McDaniel is one of the best guards to ever play. His bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame confirms it. At 6-3 and about 280 lbs, he was a little on the small side during his early years in the league. He was very much on the small side during the latter years of his career. He handled defensive players with a unique blend of athleticism and strength. I’ve never seen an offensive lineman that could run with him or like him. McDaniel was a special guard and football player. Twelve consecutive Pro Bowls. He only missed his first year and last year. Seven times, he was first-team All-Pro. He was second-team twice. The only thing that would knock him out of the top-five of this list is the position he played. If I could put McDaniel and his funky stance on today’s Vikings team, I’d sleep a whole lot easier during the season. I’d sleep a whole lot easier during the offseason as well. 

Separating Randy Moss and Cris Carter isn’t easy or fun. Justin Jefferson is well on his way to making Vikings player and receiver rankings even more difficult. Maybe we should just enjoy and appreciate the Vikings great receiver tradition rather than ranking them. Nope! Gotta rank them! Moss or Carter? Moss was an athletic freak. Carter was a technician. I suppose it depends on what you value most. 

Randy Moss ranks with Adrian Peterson as the most explosive offensive players in Vikings franchise history. Moss is arguably the most physically gifted receiver to ever play. Before his rookie season, he said that he’d “rip up the NFL.” He sure did. The two-touchdown debut against the Buccaneers. The Monday Night thrashing of the Packers. The three touchdowns against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Moss ripped up the NFL as a rookie and kept on ripping all the way to Canton. Moss was a fun, brilliant football player.  My second visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was to see Moss’s induction. 

Hands, body control, route-running. Cris Carter was the best I’ve ever seen at the receiver traits I value most. Maybe I’d sprinkle in a bit more speed. Hands. It all starts with Carter’s hands. Best I’ve ever seen. When I think of Carter I often think of the Vikings-49ers Monday Night game I attended in 1995. The defending champion 49ers jumped all over the Vikings. More specifically, Jerry Rice jumped all over the Vikings. It was 21-0 in a blink. Then, it felt like Carter put the team on his back and hauled them back into the game. It turned into a Cris Carter-Jerry Rice duel. If you’re a fan of receivers, it was pass-catching heaven. I simply loved watching Carter catch a football. My first visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was to see Carter’s induction. 

When I fell for the Vikings in the early 1970s, I was taken by Alan Page. Maybe he was the reason that this little California kid fell for a team from Minnesota. I can’t remember. I do remember I couldn’t take my eyes off Page. I always hoped that the Vikings would open games on defense. I couldn’t wait to see Page. He was a brilliant defensive tackle. He was the Aaron Donald of his day. Page was so quick. He was often in the backfield before the offensive linemen were out of their stances. He was sometimes penalized for that quickness. Then things really got fun. If Page ever felt wronged by the officials, he took his game to an unimagined, unhinged level. During a time when Dick Butkus, Deacon Jones, and Bob Lilly got more attention, Page was the game’s best defensive player. He was league MVP in 1971. A defensive tackle taking the MVP award is unimaginable. He was third in the voting in 1970. He was Defensive Player of the Year in 1971. He was named to nine Pro Bowls. He was first-team All-Pro five times. He was second-team All-Pro three times. Thinking about #88 wrecking offenses always brings a lasting smile. Alan Page is my #1 player in Vikings franchise history. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior And Coach/Contributor Semifinalists

The Pro Football Hall of Fame, on Wednesday, announced 60 semifinalists for the Class of 2024 in the Seniors and Coaches/Contributors categories. The Hall’s 12-member Seniors Committee named 31 semifinalists from a list of nominees. Separately, the Hall’s 12-member Coaches/Contributors Committee named 29 semifinalists. The Hall’s selection bylaws allow 25 semifinalists in each category. The Committees are allowed to advance additional candidates in the case of ties for the final spot. 

31 former players that have been waiting for a while and 29 coaches, some of whI’m have been waiting for a while, and contributors have Hall of Fame life for the Class of 2024. The respective selection committees will now consider the candidates and vote to send 12 Seniors and 12 Coaches/Contributors through to the next stage. The results of those votes will be announced July 27. 

The Coach/Contributor Committee members will meet August 15 to select one Coach or Contributor for final consideration for the Class of 2024. 

The Seniors Committee members will meet August 22 to select up to three Seniors for final consideration for the Class of 2024. Expansion of the Seniors pool for election to the Hall was approved for the Classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026. 

Here are short bios on each of the 60 Semifinalists (from the Pro Football Hall of Fame website):

SENIORS (31)

Ken Anderson (quarterback, 1971-1986): A four-time pro-bowler who started at quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1971-1986. League MVP for the 1981 season. Finished career with 32,838 passing yards and 197 touchdowns.

Ottis Anderson (running back ,1979-1992): Split 14 seasons between the St. Louis Cardinals (1979-1986) and New York Giants (1986-1992). Two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time 1,000-yard rusher.

Carl Banks (linebacker, 1984-1995): Two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants (1984-1992). Played one season in Washington (1993) and two in Cleveland (1994-95).

Maxie Baughan (linebacker, 1960-1970, 1974): A nine-time Pro-Bowler, Baughan played linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles (1960-65), the Los Angeles Rams (1966-1970) and the Washington Redskins (1974).

Larry Brown (running back, 1969-1976): Four Pro Bowls, two All-Pro seasons and league MVP following 1,216-yard season in 1972 as Washington reached the Super Bowl. Led NFL in rushing in 1970. 

Mark Clayton (wide Receiver, 1983-1993): Five-time Pro-Bowler who played 10 seasons with the Dolphins (1983-1992) and one season with the Green Bay Packers (1993). Career totals of 8,974 receiving yards and 84 touchdowns, with a league-high 18 in 1984.

Charlie Conerly (quarterback, 1948-1961): Played all 14 of his NFL seasons with New York Giants. Won NFL title in 1956. Passed for 19,488 yards and 173 touchdowns.

Roger Craig (running back, 1983-1993): First NFL player to total 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season and won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. Spent eight seasons with the 49ers (1983-1990), one with the Los Angeles Raiders (1991) and two with the Minnesota Vikings (1992-93). Totaled 13,100 yards from scrimmage and scored 73 touchdowns.

Henry Ellard (wide receiver, 1983-1998): Three-time Pro Bowl receiver who played 16 seasons overall with the Rams (1983-1993), Washington (1994-98) and New England (1998). Totaled 13,777 receiving yards with seven 1,000-yard seasons.

Randy Gradishar (linebacker, 1974-1983): Centerpiece of the “Orange Crush Defense,” Gradishar played all 10 seasons as linebacker for the Denver Broncos, seven of which were Pro Bowl-caliber years. Intercepted 20 passes. Named AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.

Lester Hayes (cornerback, 1977-1986): Known as “The Judge,” Hayes was a five-time Pro Bowler for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, spending his entire 10-year career with the organization. Intercepted 39 passes in career, including a league-best 13 in 1980.

Chris Hinton (guard/tackle, 1983-1995): Named to seven Pro Bowls and recognized as a two-time first-team All-Pro, Hinton played with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts (1983-89), Atlanta Falcons (1990-93) and the Minnesota Vikings (1994-95).

Cecil Isbell (tailback/defensive back/halfback, 1938-1942): Of Isbell’s five playing years with the Green Bay Packers (1938-1942), he had four Pro Bowl appearances. Named to the All-Decade Team of the 1930s.

Joe Jacoby (tackle, 1981-1993): During his 13-year tenure with the Washington Redskins (1981-1993), Jacoby won three Super Bowls and was named to the Pro Bowl four consecutive years (1983-86).

Billy “White Shoes” Johnson (wide receiver/kick returner/punt returner, 1974-1980, 1982-88): During his 14-year NFL career (Houston Oilers, 1974-1980; Atlanta Falcons, 1982-87; Washington Redskins, 1988), Johnson accumulated three Pro Bowl selections and is most famously known for his endzone celebrations. Scored six times on punt returns and twice on kickoff returns.

Mike Kenn (tackle, 1978-1994): A former first-round draft pick, this University of Michigan product played his entire 17-year career with the Atlanta Falcons and racked up five Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All- Pro selections.

Bob Kuechenberg (guard/tackle/center, 1970-1983): A member of the Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame and a six-time Pro Bowler, Kuechenberg spent the entirety of his 14-year career as a member of the Dolphins. Won two Super Bowl rings.

George Kunz (tackle, 1969-1978, 1980): Named to the Pro Bowl seven times and received three first-team All-Pro honors. Won Offensive Lineman of the Year in back-to-back years (1976-77). He played for the Atlanta Falcons (1969-1974) and the Baltimore Colts (1975-1980).

Albert Lewis (defensive back, 1983-1998): Considered one of the top “cover corners” of his era, Lewis intercepted 42 passes in a 14-season career with the Kansas City Chiefs (1983-1993) and the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders (1994-1998). Also blocked 11 kicks on special teams.

Jim Marshall (defensive end, 1960-1979): After starting his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, Marshall was traded to Minnesota, where he would play the next 19 seasons without missing a game. Marshall’s 282 consecutive games played are the most by a defensive player, and his streak is 58 games longer than the next closest defensive lineman. A member of the Vikings famed “Purple People Eaters” defensive front, Marshall earned two Pro Bowl selections and has been credited with 130.5 sacks.

Clay Matthews Jr. (linebacker, 1978-1996): Matthews made four Pro Bowl appearances for the Cleveland Browns in the 1980s. Intercepted 16 passes and forced 27 fumbles in 19-year career that totaled 278 games. Elected to Browns Ring of Honor. He finished his career with the Atlanta Falcons, where he became the oldest player to record a sack in NFL history at the age of 40 years, 282 days.

Steve McMichael (defensive tackle, 1980-1994): Single seasons in New England as a rookie and in Green Bay at the end of his career sandwiched a 13-year stint in Chicago, where he amassed 92.5 of his 95 career sacks. Two-time first-team All-Pro and member of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears.

Eddie Meador (cornerback, 1959-1970): Meador played his entire career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he earned selection to two first-team All-Pro teams and six Pro Bowls. He is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s. Finished his career with 46 interceptions, which remains a Rams franchise record.

Stanley Morgan (wide receiver, 1977-1990): Posted the most yards per reception (19.2) in NFL history among players with more than 500 career receptions and made four Pro Bowls with the New England Patriots. He is still New England’s all-time leader in receiving yards (10,352). He played his final NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts.

Tommy Nobis (linebacker, 1966-1976): First player the expansion Atlanta Falcons drafted and played his entire career in Atlanta. He won NFL Rookie of the Year, played in five Pro Bowls, selected first-team All-Pro (1967) and is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s.

Art Powell (wide receiver, 1959-1968): Drafted by the NFL Philadelphia Eagles but found success a year later in the AFL, where his speed gave the New York Titans (1960-62) and Oakland Raiders (1963-66) one of the league’s most productive deep threats. Surpassed 1,000 receiving yards five times. Finished 10-year career with 8,046 receiving yards and 81 touchdowns.

Sterling Sharpe (wide receiver, 1988-1994): Sharpe made five Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro teams during his seven-year career with the Green Bay Packers cut short by injury. His 18 touchdown receptions in his final season is still good for third best in league history. Career totals include 8,134 yards and 65 touchdowns.

Steve Tasker (wide receiver/kick returner/punt returner, 1985-1997): Late-round pick of the Houston Oilers. Claimed off waivers by Buffalo Bills midway through his second NFL season. Key member of Bills’ special teams units over next 11 seasons, earning seven Pro Bowl nods and appearing in four Super Bowls.

Otis Taylor (wide receiver, 1965-1975): Taylor won a Super Bowl IV ring with the Kansas City Chiefs, earned two Pro Bowl selections, two first-team All-Pro selections, an AFL All-Star selection and won two AFL Championships during his 10-year career. He led the AFL in touchdown receptions in 1967 and the NFL in receiving yards in 1971.

Everson Walls (cornerback, 1981-1993): Playing most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, Walls made three first-team All-Pro teams, four Pro Bowls and led the NFL in interceptions three times while in Dallas. He finished his career with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns and helped New York to victory in Super Bowl XXV.

Al Wistert (tackle/defensive tackle, 1943-1951): Member of the All-Decade Team of the 1940s, “Big Ox” helped the Philadelphia Eagles to two NFL Championships (1948-49) and was selected to the first-team All-Pro unit four consecutive seasons (1944-47).

COACH/CONTRIBUTOR (29)

K.S. “Bud” Adams Jr.: In his 54 years as founder, owner, chairman of the Board, president and CEO of the Titans/Oilers franchise, Adams was an enduring figure in the NFL.

Roone Arledge: Television industry executive and producer whose creativity, leadership and technical innovations revolutionized the presentation of both news and sports.

C.O. Brocato: A scout for 40 years with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans.

Tom Coughlin: Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach (XLII, XLVI) with the New York Giants. Also first head coach of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, taking team to two AFC Championship Games. Overall NFL record of 182-157 in 20 seasons.

Alex Gibbs: Member of two Super Bowl-winning teams in Denver (XXXII-XXXIII) as assistant head coach/offensive line coach. NFL career spanned four decades and included stints with the Raiders, Chargers, Colts, Chiefs, Falcons, Texans and Seahawks in addition to the Broncos. 

Ralph Hay: Owner of the Canton Bulldogs from 1918-1922 and hosted the NFL’s formational meeting in his automobile dealership in downtown Canton.

Mike Holmgren: Head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992-98 and the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2008. Overall record of 174-122 includes victory in Super Bowl XXXI with the Packers and an NFC crown in Seattle.

Frank “Bucko” Kilroy: Worked in player personnel and scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. He was the Patriots’ general manager from 1979 to 1982 and vice president from 1983 to 1993.

Eddie Kotal: Scout for the Los Angeles Rams from 1947-1961 and was one of the first to scout Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Robert Kraft: Owner, chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots since 1994. His teams have won six Super Bowls.

Elmer Layden: Commissioner of the National Football League from 1941-46 after a successful career as a player and coach at the college level.

Jerry Markbreit: Official in the NFL for 23 seasons, rising to referee in only his second year. Assigned to 25 postseason games, including four Super Bowls – a number no other referee has surpassed.

Virginia McCaskey: Became principal owner of the Bears in 1983 upon the death of her father, Hall of Famer George Halas. Celebrated her 100th birthday this past Jan. 5.

Rich McKay: General Manager, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1994-2003; general manager, Atlanta Falcons, 2003-08; president/CEO, Atlanta Falcons, 2008-present.

John McVay: Joined the 49ers in 1979 as the team's director of player personnel and spent 21 seasons with the Club, ultimately presiding over five Super Bowl-winning seasons as vice president/director of football operations.

Art Modell: Owner of the Cleveland Browns from 1961-1995 and Baltimore Ravens from 1996- 2011.

Buddy Parker: Head coach of the Chicago Cardinals (1949), Detroit Lions (1951-56) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1957-1964). Overall NFL record of 107-76-9 and winner of back-to-back NFL titles with the Lions in 1952 and 1953.

Carl Peterson: President, general manager and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1989- 2008.

Dan Reeves: Head coach of the Denver Broncos (1981-1992), New York Giants (1993-96) and the Atlanta Falcons (1997-2003). Overall coaching record of 201-174-2 and four conference championships in 23 seasons, Two-time AP Coach of the Year.

Art Rooney Jr.: Employed with the Steelers since 1961, from 1964 through 1986, worked in the Steelers’ Scouting Department. Currently a Steelers vice president and member of the Board of Directors.

Marty Schottenheimer: Head coach of the Cleveland Browns (1984-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1998), Washington Redskins (2001) and the San Diego Chargers (2002-06). Overall NFL coaching record of 205-139-1 in 21 seasons.

Jerry Seeman: Line judge, head linesman, referee and director of Officiating from 1975- 2000.

George Seifert: Won two Super Bowls in his eight seasons as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers (1989-1996), Also coached three seasons for Carolina Panthers (1999-2001). Overall record of 124-67.

Mike Shanahan: Head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders (1988-89), Denver Broncos (1995- 2008) and the Washington Redskins (2010-13). Two Super Bowl titles in his 20 seasons with an overall record of 178-144.

Clark Shaughnessy: Head coach of the Los Angeles Rams from 1948-49 and longtime assistant coach for the Washington Redskins from 1944-47 and Chicago Bears from 1951-1962.

Seymour Siwoff: Owner and president of Elias Sports Bureau, the official statisticians of the NFL, from 1952-2019.

Jim Tunney: NFL official from 1960-1991. Worked as a field judge from 1960-67 and a referee from 1968-1991.

Lloyd Wells: Scout for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1963-1974. First full-time African American scout in the NFL.

John Wooten: Director of Pro Scouting for the Dallas Cowboys from 1975 to 1991. Created Player Development programs for the NFL in 1991. Vice President/Player Personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1992 and assistant director of pro/college scouting for the Baltimore Ravens until his retirement in 2002. In 2003, Wooten became chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a position he held until 2019.

***

With the three-year expansion of the Seniors pool for election, this is probably the best Hall shot for Minnesota Vikings great Jim Marshall. 

My hopes for the August votes:

Seniors:

Jim Marshall

Al Wistert

Randy Gradishar

Coach/Contributor:

Buddy Parker

Best of luck to all of the 60 Semifinalists. Especially Jim Marshall. If Jared Allen and Marshall are part of the Class of 2024, I’ll be in Canton for that great day.