Vikings Rumors: Drafting a RB in the 1st, an Excellent WR3, and Where Kwesi Pinches Pennies

Jan 8, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) embraces wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) following a touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

As we enter the portion of the year when Vikings rumors start heating up, we’ll be highlighting some of the purple rumblings.

The “Vikings Rumor Wrangle” is a series that keeps readers informed on what’s being whispered about in Vikings Land. In this iteration, we discuss the chance of drafting a running back in the 1st, maybe getting a shot at an upgrade at WR3, and then where Kwesi Adofo-Mensah tends to be a bit cheaper with his contracts.

Vikings Rumors: 01.29.2025

Rumor #1 — The Vikings May Target a Runner in RD1 of the 2025 NFL Draft

The idea gets some love in a mock draft on The Athletic.

Ashton Jeanty is the dream, but seeing the Boise State runner fall all the way to 24th feels highly unlikely. The mock under consideration sees Jeanty getting scooped up at 20th by the Denver Broncos. Minnesota thus pivots toward snagging Kaleb Johnson, a runner coming out of Iowa.

Syndication: Iowa City Press-Citizen
Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The write up: “Anyone who watched the Vikings’ playoff collapse to the Rams knows Minnesota needs to address its offensive line in a major way this offseason. But assuming those upgrades come in free agency, the Vikings could look for help at running back here. Jeanty deservedly will command all of the Round 1 running back talk, but Johnson is worthy of landing in the top 32, as well. The Iowa back would be a great fit for Minnesota’s outside-zone scheme, and his impact would help open the passing game.”

In a dozen games last season, Johnson carried the ball 240 times. He turned those opportunities into a whopping 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Crazy production. Plus, he had 22 catches go for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns. A runner worth monitoring as the draft gets closer.

Rumor #2 — Free Agency May Soon Get an Excellent WR3 Option for the Vikings

In all likelihood, the Vikings feel quite content with the pass catchers available. Sure, some help at WR4/5 and then at TE3/4 would be nice, but the trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson leaves the passing offense in a nice spot for weapons.

What happens, though, if Kevin O’Connell wants someone a bit more proven than Jalen Nailor at WR3? Well, is there any chance Tyler Lockett could hit the open market? A recent piece on PFF made note of Seattle’s cap crunch and the huge number that’s going toward Mr. Lockett.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Cutting the veteran receiver means Seattle gains back $17 million in cap space.

Drafted at No. 69 back in 2015, Lockett isn’t getting any younger. He’s 32, so one has to assume that he isn’t as lightning quick as he once was. Even still, the 2024 season featured him playing in all seventeen games while snagging 49 passes for 600 yards and 2 touchdowns. Any chance a role in Minnesota as the WR3 would revitalize the veteran a bit? The added bonus is that Lockett has a history as a punt returner, opening another potential avenue to contribute.

Rumor #3 — Where Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Pinches Pennies

The GM doesn’t love to spend money along the interior o-line. Or, at least, he hasn’t shown that he likes doing so.

Garrett Bradbury landed a three-year commitment that comes in at a total of $15.75 million ($5.25M/season). Otherwise, the deals have all been modest. Dalton Risner didn’t land major money; Blake Brandel got a trio of seasons but just $9.5 million in total money. Veteran depth like Austin Schlottmann and Dan Feeney have been signed for cheap.

Sep 12, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel (64) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, Dustin Baker put together a piece discussing Kansas City’s Trey Smith, perhaps the foremost guard set to hit the open market: “Smith specializes primarily in run-blocking — that’s his primary strength. He does not, however, flounder via pass protection. The guy does it all but is merely a bit more skilled at plowing lanes for running backs. He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion and reached his first Pro Bowl this season. As a comparison, he’s as steady as Brian O’Neill per week-to-week performance.”

The issue is simply that a lot of teams will be interested in adding Mr. Smith. The end result is going to be a large contract that Minnesota has so far been unwilling to hand out for an interior lineman. Does the approach change in 2025?

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, Sports Reference CFP, and Over the Cap helped with this piece.


K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.