Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws a pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Even though we’re officially into the portion of the year when Vikings rumors are slowing down, we’ll still 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 Minnesota looking to snag more draft picks, the JJ tandem being locker buddies, and the Vikings’ new weapon for the red zone.
Vikings Rumors: 07.17.2024
Rumor #1 — The Vikings Will Pursue Creative Ways to Add Picks
In a sense, they’re already doing so.
Minnesota has become notoriously aggressive with pursuing UDFA talent. The strategy paid off in a major way last year with the addition of Ivan Pace Jr. Imagine the entire NFL hopped into a time machine. Any chance the Cincinatti Bearcat makes it out of Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft? Likely not. Getting the UDFA is akin to manufacturing a pretty high pick out of thin air.
Pace, of course, isn’t the lone example of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah being aggressive with the UDFA adds. He has done something similar with Luiji Vilain, Zach McCloud, Andre Carter II, Jeshaun Jones, and Gabriel Murphy. Whenever a UDFA really hits, it feels like the team added a draft pick for nothing other than cap space.
Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) celebrates after an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
But then one also thinks of the real picks. Or, at present, the lack thereof.
Right now, things look pretty light in Minnesota. The 2025 war chest is featuring the 1st and then a pair in the 5th. The expectation is that a 3rd — courtesy of the compensatory wizards at the NFL — will get tossed into the mix. Maybe another comp pick gets tossed in there somewhere, but that’s merely speculation at this stage.
The more surefire way to add a pick is to trade a player out. Minnesota does have trade candidates and there are players who aren’t 100% locks to make the team. Last season, Vederian Lowe got moved for a 6th. Does Adofo-Mensah pull off a trade or two in late August to add more picks into the mix for 2025?
Rumor #2 — J.J. McCarthy is Locker Buddies with Justin Jefferson
True.
Minnesota’s hope is that the QB/WR tandem turns into one of the most dynamic in the NFL before too long. After all, their deals are synced up, so they’re walking in lockstep. Letting the young QB learn about life in the NFL from the NFL’s preeminent receiver isn’t a bad approach.
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates his touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Recently, the topic came to the fore on The Rich Eisen Show and then discussed in a piece on PurplePTSD by Janik Eckardt. Therein, Eckardt relays how Jefferson talks about getting placed alongside the Wolverine. However, the tidbit emerged even earlier.
Before the players took off for the summer break, McCarthy spoke with the media. One topic that came up was the locker placement: “Obviously, we’re locker neighbors, so it’s like nice to get those off-the-field interactions with him.” Ideally, the off-the-field dynamic leads to a productive on-the-field dynamic.
Rumor #3 — The Vikings are Looking Toward a New Red Zone Threat
N’Keal Harry used to be a large wide receiver. He’s now a small tight end.
Not too long ago, Kevin O’Connell spoke about the transition, noting that Harry is “really fired up about it, he has attacked the process.” O’Connell then said that he wants to “see the receiving traits kind of lead the way early on.”
Part of what made the rest of the answer notable is that O’Connell is looking forward to help in specific moments in the game.
Aug 19, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry (15) takes the field against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
“We’re hoping we’re developing a guy,” O’Connell explains, “that can grow into a real 3rd-down weapon, red zone weapon with his skill set. And then the more and more he can do from an all-down standpoint will only help his value.”
N’Keal Harry, 26, stands at 6’4″ and weighs 225 pounds. Quite possibly, he is packing on some added weight to handle the switch over to the new position. Playing at just 225 would be odd for an NFL tight end, but it’s possible that he’ll only be leaned on in the specific moments that O’Connell discussed in his answer.
In his career, Harry has 5 touchdowns and has picked up 33 first downs.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference 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 and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.
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Publish date : 2024-07-17 08:00:00
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