Last year was a smashing success for rookie head coach Kevin O’Connell. Minnesota won the NFC North Division title dominantly. And QB Kirk Cousins saw a career resurgence with the NFL odds. Still, the Vikings being the Vikings, they failed to take full advantage. In the NFC Divisional Playoffs, Minnesota’s leaky defense was lit up in a home loss to the upstart New York Giants. On the whole, the 2022 season was a great leap forward for Minnesota. And in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Vikings worked to fill needs and address weaknesses.
NFL Future Odds Post Draft 2023-24 Minnesota Vikings
| Super Bowl Championship SBG Odds: | +4000 |
|---|---|
| NFC Championship SBG Odds: | +2200 |
| NFC North Division Championship SBG Odds: | +310 |
| 2023 Over/Under Win Total: | 8.5 |
The Top Pick – WR Jordan Addison
It is true that wide receiver was hardly a need position for the Vikings. Especially with superstar Justin Jefferson in place. And KJ Osborn is seemingly ready to step into the No. 2 role vacated by Adam Thielen. But Osborn is entering the final year of his contract. Hence, the Vikings have been focused all offseason on collecting enough weapons to burn the extra coverage that Jefferson often sees.
Coach Kevin O’Connell feels confident that Addison can learn all three receiver positions. In turn, that will help the Vikings move Jefferson to different spots on the field. The online wagering decision to focus on Addison over a cornerback such as Maryland’s Deonte Banks revealed a few important facts. First, the Vikings are trusting two 2022 draft picks. Namely, Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans will be in the cornerback mix. Second, they were realistic about their ability to find an heir apparent for quarterback Kirk Cousins.
In sum, Addison scored six touchdowns on screen passes over the past two seasons. That was the most in the FBS during that span. Last season, the Vikings were an active screen team under O’Connell. Minnesota tied for the 11th-most such plays (43) and scored an NFL-high three touchdowns off them. Of course, they didn’t necessarily draft Addison to focus on screen plays. But his NFL betting odds success in running them is a significant part of his fit with the team.
Certainly, it would be disappointing if Addison is not part of the Vikings’ three-receiver set to open the season. And that would make Addison a starter based on how the Vikings deployed their scheme under O’Connell last season. To show, Minnesota used three-receiver sets on 825 plays, the fourth-most in the league. Jefferson and Osborn seem set for two of those positions. Subsequently, that leaves Jordan Addison to compete with Jalen Nailor, Jalen Reagor, and journeyman free agent Brandon Powell for that third spot.
The Cornerback – Mekhi Blackmon
It is true that the Vikings needed cornerback depth. Five of their 2022 cornerbacks have either departed or remain unsigned. But the Vikings only had one opportunity to select in the first 101 picks. Thus, they took Blackmon at No. 102.
Blackmon is one of five cornerbacks on their roster who will be either a rookie, first- or second-year player. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acknowledged there are a lot of unknowns about the group. In turn, he re-stocked the position for new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Consider that Justin Blackmon and Addison were college teammates. Both made pre-draft visits to the Vikings’ practice facility for a day of interviews and discussions with coaches, scouts, and administrators.