Questions Answered: Surprise Cuts This Summer, Unexpected Rookie Breakout, Biggest 2022 Concern
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the May 8th 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: Give us a list of surprise cuts by the Vikings this summer.
A: Well, it certainly won’t be all of the following men. But, based on relatively low dead cap hits (sans Garrett Bradbury’s $5 million), we offer these players as surprise cuts later this summer. Again — just theories, not based on credible tips or anything of the ilk:
- Garrett Bradbury
- Wyatt Davis
- C.J. Ham
- Greg Joseph
- Alexander Mattison
- Chris Reed
And the theoretical Bradbury and Reed cuts operate under the mindset Ed Ingram emerges early as a starter — either at center or right guard.
Q: If you had to name one rookie from the 2022 draft class who unexpectedly breaks out in 2022, who would it be?
A: Ty Chandler.
Dalvin Cook always missed a few games, Alexander Mattison could realistically be waived, and it is unclear if Kene Nwangwu is a true-blue RB1.
With that perfect storm, Chandler could see snaps as RB1. Plus, the Rams, where Kevin O’Connell was recently employed, typically use an RB hodgepodge.
We didn’t say Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth, or Ed Ingram because those men are supposed to be good.
Q: What is your biggest concern for the Vikings heading into 2022?
A: We have two — finally solving the offensive line’s pass-protecting woes and depth chart top-heaviness.
Let’s face it. The Vikings still plan to start Garrett Bradbury in September. His pass protection stinks. Leaving his maturation up to a new coaching staff and hoping for better OL performance leaves a lot to chance.
Then, like the 2021 team, the roster feels top-heavy. What happens if Danielle Hunter gets hurt for the third season in a row? What about Eric Kendricks? Those are the spooky ones.
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).
