Questions Answered: Picking 10 QBs over Cousins, OTA Positional Battles, Alexander Mattison

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May 20, 2022
Kirk Cousins
Aug 18, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks on prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the May 20th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

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.

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Q: With the “would you take 10 quarterbacks over Cousins” thing circulating, would you pick 10 over him for the 2022 season, and who would those be if so?

Kirk Cousins
Oct 24, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view as Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

A: For the 2022 season alone, yes, there are 10 (11, actually) quarterbacks we’d take over Cousins. Here are those men in alphabetical order:

  1. Josh Allen
  2. Tom Brady
  3. Joe Burrow
  4. Justin Herbert
  5. Lamar Jackson
  6. Patrick Mahomes
  7. Kyler Murray
  8. Dak Prescott
  9. Aaron Rodgers
  10. Matthew Stafford
  11. Russell Wilson

Those would be the 10, and one would have to take Deshaun Watson, too, if he wasn’t shady.

Q: There wasn’t much to learn about position battles at minicamp. Did they keep it simple on purpose?

Jan 9, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jesse Davis (77), guard Robert Hunt (68), and guard Solomon Kindley (66) watch from the field after winning the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

A: Yes, this was just an introductory session for the team.

Plus, there really aren’t too many bonafide position battles to solve. Of course, right guard and center will be interesting, but after that, the depth chart is pretty firm. Men still have to physically win jobs, but barring upsets, the depth chart feels mostly self-evident.

Q: Do you expect Alexader Mattison to have an increased role in 2022?

Alexander Mattison
Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (25) runs the ball against Detroit Lions outside linebacker Jahlani Tavai (51) to score a touchdown during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

A: Yes, but the spike in his usage won’t be colossal.

The Rams, Kevin O’Connell’s old team, like to use more than one running back. The Vikings are a dying breed in the sense that Dalvin Cook owns most of the RB touches. Teams increasingly balance the RB1-RB2 workload more equitably.

We believe there is credence to Cook’s usage as a pass-catcher, which will create opportunities to utilize Mattison on the ground.

Regardless, this is likely Mattison’s last year with the Vikings. His contract expires in 10 months.

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 Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

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