Arguably the front-runner in the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings look to avenge their division title from a year ago with another good season this campaign. They had a disappointing playoffs, losing in the first round to the New York Giants, but the team has changed since that brutal loss in January.
When people think of the Minnesota Vikings these days, they think of their underrated quarterback, Kirk Cousins, throwing touchdowns to the best wide receiver in the league, Justin Jefferson. The Vikings offense has proved that it can be very explosive and added onto that explosiveness this offseason.
The Vikings first round draft pick this year was another wide receiver by the name of Jordan Addison out of USC. Addison had a very nice career with the Trojans in Southern California and will step into the role of WR2 or WR3 in this Vikings offense. I believe Addison could also be a sleeper pick for the offensive rookie of the year award after a receiver won it last year.
The offense did lose some weapons during the offseason as longtime Viking, Adam Thielen, signed with the Carolina Panthers, and Dalvin Cook was released by the team as well. Alexander Mattison will now step up and serve as the number one running back for the Vikings after showing lots of great potential starting some games last season in Cook's absence.
On the defensive side of things, the Vikings did also part ways with another longtime veteran of the team, Eric Kendricks. Kendricks was a well-known and respected leader on the defensive front, but the Vikings thought it was best that they move on. Most of the players that the Vikings did in fact move on from this offseason were guys that have spent a majority, if not their whole careers with the team. It's clear that the Vikings are definitely trying to shake things up to make a big push this season.
Also on the defensive side, Brian Flores was hired as the new defensive coordinator of the team after a subpar defensive season last year. The coaching staff continues to improve with this acquisition to pair with second-year coach, Kevin O'Connell. In my opinion, O'Connell showed last season that he can be recognized as one of the top coaches in this league. Let's see if he will carry that into his second term with the team.
To recap, the Vikings added some weapons, but overall did not improve to the extent where they could go farther in the NFC playoffs this season. I do believe that they will once again make the playoffs, but they could be heavily threatened this season with the Detroit Lions for that NFC North crown. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of highlights between Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson this upcoming season.
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