Purple Headlines of the Week: Former Vikings TE Finds New Home, Vikings Win Projections, Anthony Richardson’s Pro Day
Josh Frey
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Another week has passed in the Vikings offseason, and we’ve officially made it into draft month. With the NFL Draft just about four weeks away, here are the biggest purple headlines of the week.
Former Vikings TE Joins Super Bowl Contender
Irv Smith Jr. spent his first four years in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, and for the majority of his young career, fans anticipated a breakout that never truly came to fruition. Part of this was due to injuries, but it also had to due with depth around Smith at the tight end position.
Regardless, the former Vikings TE has found a new home, joining the Cincinnati Bengals and presumably being set to compete for a Super Bowl berth with Joe Burrow and a high-powered offense in Cincy. He replaces Hayden Hurst at the tight end spot for the Bengals.
Vikings Get Another “Middle of the Road” Win Projection
If you thought the Vikings would finally leave the group of middling NFL teams from the national lens after going 13-4 in 2022, you were mistaken. Early win total projections have been released for the 2023 season by oddsmakers across the country, and once again, the Vikings have a “middle of the road” total, sitting with an over/under of 8.5.
This projection also puts the Vikings back into second-place in the NFC North, which is where they finished in three of the four seasons from 2018-21. However, there is also a new division champ according to the oddsmakers. That is the Detroit Lions, who are projected to win 9.5 games this season. Meanwhile, both the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers hold win totals of 7.5. If the Lions do win the NFC North, it would be their first division title since 1993.
Vikings Attend QB Anthony Richardson’s Pro Day
In case you needed any more confirmation that the Minnesota Vikings are indeed interested in potentially drafting a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, many collegiate pro days took place over the past week, and one in particular stands out for Vikings purposes. That pro day was the Florida Gators pro day where Minnesota sent a representative to watch QB Anthony Richardson and others.
The Gators QB prospect is one of the many boom-or-bust type prospects in this spring’s class. He has ridiculous arm talent and athleticism, but he is yet to put it all together as a complete quarterback. If he becomes more accurate as a passer and makes sharper reads, he could emerge as the best QB in this class when it is all said and done.
Kevin O’Connell Gives Praise to Vikings WRs
One of the Vikings draft needs that seems to be on everyone’s radar right now is the wide receiver position. With Adam Thielen’s departure, and a lack of proof that there is a WR2 behind Justin Jefferson on the current roster, drafting a wide receiver has become a very trendy pick for the Vikings in the first round.
However, there is growing evidence that Minnesota may have faith in their current squad to move forward into 2023 without major additions. Kevin O’Connell spoke to media at the annual NFL owners’ meeting this past week, and he delivered some high praise for his wide receivers, even down to the Jalens at the presumed WR3/4 spots. If Minnesota does opt to run it back with their same wide receiver group, expect Jalen Nailor to especially take a larger role during this upcoming season.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.