Purple Q&A: Vikings Draft Targets, Player to Keep, Darnold’s Future?
Today, on January 15th, after the disappointing playoff loss and final game of the year, PurplePTSD’s Janik Eckardt answers a trio of questions about the Minnesota Vikings. If you have questions for future editions of the Purple Q&A, please email them to [email protected].
Purple Q&A: Vikings Draft Targets, Player to Keep, Darnold’s Future?
Let’s get right to it.
Q1: Now that the season is over, who are some early draft candidates for the Minnesota Vikings?
There are numerous needs, as the secondary needs a total overhaul. Kevin O’Connell wants to address the interior offensive line, and the team needs to find a young running back at some point. In the last 21 years, the Vikings have only selected one defensive tackle in the first round, and the current Vikings lack a difference-maker at that spot.
Most of those spots will likely be targeted in free agency, but one prospect who is commonly connected to Minnesota in mock drafts is cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.
The defender from East Carolina tore his ACL in September, which surely hurt his draft status. However, he possesses the ideal size (6-3, 193 lbs) and 4.3 speed. He has the talent to become Minnesota’s CB1 for a long time.
More options could be Notre Dame’s cornerback Benjamin Morrison and Alabama’s offensive guard Tyler Booker.
Q2: Of the countless free agents, who is one guy the Vikings can’t afford to lose?
It’s indeed a long list, and this could go towards Aaron Jones or Cam Bynum, but my answer is cornerback Byron Murphy.
The only Vikings cornerbacks under contract are Mekhi Blackmon and NaJee Thompson, who both missed the entire season due to injury, alongside undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern. Murphy was named to the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster and has been the best cornerback Minnesota has had in quite some time.
Murphy signed a two-year contract in the 2023 offseason. That deal was worth a total of $17.5 million. He has earned a significant raise, and the Vikings should pay it.
Q3: Has Sam Darnold played himself out of Minnesota?
The debates about this have been happening for months. Sam Darnold was hired to be the bridge starter until J.J. McCarthy was ready to captain the ship, but his arrival was delayed because of the season-ending knee surgery.
That gave veteran Darnold the opportunity to start the entire season. He made the best out of his chance, throwing for 35 touchdowns in the first 16 regular season games and earning a Pro Bowl trip. Surely, the Vikings would keep him around, right?
Well, unfortunately, the last two games were the biggest of the season, and he played perhaps his worst football, looking hesitant and scared in the pocket while also displaying inaccurate throws.
It can’t be ruled out that the passer wants to stay in the fantastic environment and that the Vikings wouldn’t mind re-signing him on another short contract, but this is McCarthy’s team sooner rather than later, and a long-term extension is highly unlikely.
Still, someone else will likely hand him a check to be their starter for at least the 2025 season.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt