2022-23 Season Results
The Minnesota Vikings prepare for the 2023-24 season, as they try to defend their NFC North division title after going 13 and four, winning the division by four games over the Detroit Lions. They do have to replace some big names, although, with the depth and draft they had, the Vikings should still be in a position to win the division yet again. Kirk Cousins had a career year with 4,547 passing yards which put him fourth in the NFL and Justin Jefferson yet again impresses as he leads the league in receiving yards with 1,809. The Vikings will have to fill some big holes in 2023-24.
Key Additions
WR Jordan Addison
One of the best wide receivers in the class, Addison will try to replace Adam Thielen, as he signed with Carolina this offseason. Addison went for 875 yards and eight receiving touchdowns last season at USC with NFL-ready quarterback Caleb Williams. He should step right in and make an immediate impact.
CB Byron Murphy Jr
Byron Murphy, the former Arizona Cardinal, will try to replace Patrick Peterson, his former teammate in Minnesota. Murphy is a good fit for a Brian Flores-led defense, as they like to bring the pressure. Murphy could be an X-Factor if the Vikings’ young cornerbacks don’t develop the way they envisioned when they drafted them. Low risk high reward for a one million dollar deal.
DE Marcus Davenport
The former number 14 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Davenport comes to Minnesota after a tenure with New Orleans for four years. He will come in and try to replace Za’Darius Smith, the former Vikings and All-Pro defensive end. Davenport has struggled to stay on the field but if he can this will be a huge hit for the Vikings defensive unit.
DT Dean Lowry
A reconnection with Vikings head coach Mike Pettine, when he was Green Bay’s defensive coordinator, is intact for Dean Lowry. Lowry has only missed three games in seven years and is as effective as defensive tackles come. Lowry will attempt to replace former Viking defensive tackle Dalvin Tomilson.
Key Departures
RB Dalvin Cook
Dalvin Cook got released by the Vikings in the offseason and ran for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns this past season. They will need to rely on Alexander Mattison to get the job done, which he has shown he can when games Cook was out for during the season. He is a top-ten running back immediately.
WR Adam Thielen
Adam Thielen signed with the Carolina Panthers this offseason, leaving the Vikings short-handed before the NFL Draft and forcing them to take Jordan Addison. Theilen was as productive as they come, aside from last year he was a nearly 1,000-yard receiver yearly out of the slot.
LB Eric Hendricks
Hendricks is unreplaceable at this point as he was the best defensive player last year for Minnesota, tallying 137 total tackles, 87 solo, 50 assisted, eight tackles for loss, and one sack in 2022. A big hole up the middle.
CB Cameron Dantzler Sr.
One of the best cornerbacks for Minnesota leaves for Buffalo, after a season in which he tallied 45 solo tackles, 50 total tackles, five assisted, one forced and recovered fumble. Byron Murphy will have to step in and replicate or match what Dantzler did.
Projected Depth Chart
QB: Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall.
RB: Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler, DeWayne McBride, Abram Smith.
FB: C.J. Ham
WR: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, Jalen Reagor, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Blake Proehl, Trishton Jackson, Thayer Thomas, N’Keal Harry, Garett Maag, Lucky Jackson, Jacob Copeland.
TE: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, Ben Sims, Colin Thompson.
LT: Christian Darrisaw, Vederian Lowe, Jarrid Williams, Jacky Chen.
LG: Erza Cleveland, Chris Reed, Josh Sokol.
C: Garrett Bradbury, Austin Schlottmann, Alan Ali.
RG: Ed Ingram, Blake Brandel, Jack Snyder.
RT: Brian O’Neal, Olisaemeka Udoh, Christian DiLauro,
DT: Khyiris Tonga, Jaquelin Roy, T.J. Smith, Calvin Avery
DE: Dean Lowry, Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Ross Blacklock, Sheldon Day, Esezi Otomewo, Junior Aho.
LB: Danielle Hunter, Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah II, Marcus Davenport, Pat Jones II, Ivan Pace Jr, Troy Reeder, D.J. Wonnum, Luiji Vilain, Troy Dye, William Kwenkeu, Benton Whitley, Andre Carter II, Wilson Huber, Abraham Beauplan, Curtis Weaver.
CB: Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, Byron Murphy Jr., Andrew Booth Jr., Joejuan Williams, Jay Ward, Kalon Barnes, Tay Gowan, Jaylin Williams, Najee Thompson, C.J. Coldon Jr.
FS: Camryn Bynum, Lewis Cine, Theo Jackson.
SS: Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus.
PR: Jalen Reagor, Brandon Powell, Thayer Thomas.
KR: Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler, Brandon Powell.
P: Ryan Wright
K: Greg Joseph, Jack Podlesny.
Season Outlook
The Vikings have some massive holes to fill, which they did to the best of what their front office believed in. Jordan Addison will step into a pass-heavy offense that is led by Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson, two players in the top five at their positions. They lose a lot of key defensive players, rotation players, and depth. So the offense will need to be the focal point for the Minnesota Vikings 2023-24 season to be successful and win yet another division title. Alexander Mattison will prove to folks why he stayed in Minnesota and cement himself as a top-eight running back in the league. My prediction for the Minnesota Vikings’ 2023-24 schedule record is eleven and six with an NFC North division title and a playoff berth.
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