Vikings Rumors: Top 100 Snubs, Best FAs, & Trading Justin Jefferson!?!?
Though we’re now into the portion of the year when Vikings rumors aren’t as abundant, we’ll still be highlighting some of the purple rumblings.
The “Vikings Rumor Wrangle” is a series that seeks to keep readers informed on what’s being whispered about in Vikings Land. In this iteration, we discuss the recent release of a top 100 NFL players list, the best players still available as free agents, and whether trading Justin Jefferson has any merit at all.
The Vikings Rumors – 06.21.2023
Rumor #1 – The Vikings Had Several Players Snubbed on the CBS Top 100 Players List
Well, reasonable minds can disagree. Justin Jefferson lands in the top 10 on the CBS list that is authored by Pete Prisco. Failing to put #18 very high in the rankings would have discredited the list for a lot of Vikings fans.
Take a peak at what Mr. Prisco had to say about the Vikings’ WR1: “He led the NFL in catches (128) and yards (1,809), while also leading in receptions of 20 or more yards (28). He is the league’s best receiver heading into next season.”
Jefferson, it turns out, is pretty good at playing football. He is only 24.
The other Vikings to get onto the list are Christian Darrisaw (56th), Patrick Peterson (92nd), Dalvin Cook (94th), and Harrison Smith (97th). A couple of those names are debatable when it comes to including them for the Vikings since the veteran CB is now with the Steelers and the veteran RB is now a free agent.
The most glaring omission? Danielle Hunter. The underpaid edge rusher is a stud who is certainly within the NFL’s best 100 players. Kirk Cousins has a case for inclusion, and so too does T.J. Hockenson.
Overall, don’t get too worked up about this one. Jefferson and Darrisaw are the team’s best players and they get nice spots.
Rumor #2 – The NFL Still Has Several Impact Free Agents
Yes, very true. Over at ESPN, there is a list of the top 12.
Matt Bowen puts a certain talented RB at the very top. Dalvin Cook isn’t coming back (even if the QB1 publicly mentions his desire to see Cook return). Next up is DeAndre Hopkins, someone who is almost certainly going to sign elsewhere. The Vikings seem quite content with where things stand at receiver.
Rounding out the top 5 are a trio of names that have all been mentioned as options for the Vikings (at least online): EDGE Yannick Ngakoue, CB Marcus Peters, and iOL Dalton Risner. Of the three, Peters makes the most sense. The corner room would benefit from an accomplished veteran to take the heat off Byron Murphy.
The other name that really jumps off the page is Justin Houston, who finds himself at 8th. Give the veteran the EDGE3 job and let him wreak havoc on obvious passing downs. No such thing as too many pass rushers.
Rumor #3 – Trading Justin Jefferson for the 2024 NFL Draft’s #1 Pick is Worth It
I’m calling shenanigans on this one. The obvious reason why is because the trade won’t happen. And then there’s the added layer that we simply don’t know if next year’s 1st overall selection – very likely, QB Caleb Williams – will succeed in the NFL.
Consider, though, the argument. SKOR North provides the word:
To be sure, an elite WR will never be as valuable as an elite QB. If we could go into a time machine and trade the 22nd pick from 2020 – Justin Jefferson – for the 1st pick in 2020 – Joe Burrow – then it’s an easy decision. Take the elite QB every time.
However, entering the uncertainty of the NFL draft isn’t particularly appealing when we consider how marvellous Jefferson is. Take a peak at the last 10 1st overall selections:
- Jadeveon Clowney
- Jameis Winston
- Jared Goff
- Myles Garrett
- Baker Mayfield
- Kyler Murray
- Joe Burrow
- Trevor Lawrence
- Travon Walker
- Bryce Young
On that list, Mr. Burrow stands out. He’s the only player who is a clear-cut upgrade. Otherwise, Garrett is an elite player at a premium position, but every other 1st overall selection fails to match Jefferson’s level (Mr. Lawrence has the potential to get there).
I’ll keep Jefferson, thank you very much, and be quite pleased to have done so.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
