Questions Answered: Prediction for WR2, Anthony Barr, The Kicker
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the February 28th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Prediction for WR2, Anthony Barr, The Kicker
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Q: It’s September — who’s the Vikings WR2?
A: Because free agency is underwhelming for a potential WR2 — those players will be expensive and not terribly value-based — and based on the notion that Adam Thielen may not return, we’ll say a rookie from the 2023 NFL Draft.
It’s really tricky to predict who that rookie will be, but for the purposes of this exercise, we’ll say Jaxon Smith-Njigba from Ohio State.
Smith-Njigba might be there for the Vikings at No. 23, and if he is not, Jordan Addison or Zay Flowers could be, too. On the whole, we believe there’s more WR2 value in the upcoming draft than free agency, so jot us down for the rookie WR2 theory.
Q: With Anthony Barr again a free agent, what do you think of him returning to the Vikings?
A: The Vikings just experienced an entire season with two off-ball linebackers at age 30, and most believe that was one of the team’s defensive shortcomings.
No, we don’t predict a Barr-Vikings reunion, although head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke fondly of Barr at his introductory press conference one year ago.
Barr should chase rings as a depth linebacker at this point in his career. If that’s with the Vikings — great. But we don’t expect him to return in 2023.
Q: Do you believe Greg Joseph will for sure be back in 2023?
A: For sure? No. Possibly? Yes.
Last year, the Vikings had a “punter battle” between Jordan Berry and Ryan Wright. The process worked, Wright was triumphant, and then Wright established himself as one of the best punters in the league.
While it’s possible for Joseph to be re-signed with the hope he’ll figure out his extra-point demons, we predict the Vikings will treat Joseph like they did Jordan Berry last year, asking him to win the job versus a young kicker.
Another NFL QB Hits Free Agency
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.