“If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra
Now that the team has chosen to roll with Dobbs, I wonder if it says something about Mullens physical health? Maybe they are still a little worried and want to give him more time? Doubtful since there is some speculation that Dobbs could get pulled if he fails to launch again.
Although, Jefferson coming back is good for any QB. I wonder about the contract negotiations now that he missed 7 games. Will the team hold it against him or use it to try and drive down the price a bit? JJ has played 82% of the offensive snaps in 2020, 89% in 2021, 92% in 2022, and was at 92% in 2023. At the same time, this is an indication of the team possibly overusing him.
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/eagles-darius-slay-high-praise-vikings-justin-jefferson
“Dude was amazing, man,” Slay said. “I gotta give him the upmost respect. I’ve only seen one other receiver do what he does. This man do not come out the game. Only one other receiver that never came out the game when I guarded him was Antonio Brown. You usually have guys that play receiver, if they’re the best ones, sometimes they get out on run plays. Not those two guys. I gotta commend them.”
I wonder how playing that many snaps effects his hammies? Did the Vikings blow it?
Things that make you go hmmm ….
Note: Tyreek Hill has played 41%, 81%, 87%, 72%, 86%, 73%, 76%, and 66% of the offensive snaps throughout his career thus far.
Since yore last open thread …
2023 NFL Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders
Vikings officially announce Josh Dobbs as starter for Raiders game
Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders: Initial injury reports for both teams
Other Vikings News …
Packers luckiest, Vikings unluckiest team in NFL
Raiders’ OC Bo Hardegree Presser Vikings Week
Vikings Need Bounce-Back Game From Brian O’Neill vs. Raiders
Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill is typically a model of consistency and reliability. He’s been a rock at that position for each of the last six seasons, earning a $92.5 million extension prior to the 2021 campaign and making his first Pro Bowl later that year.
His most recent performance was a rare dud. In the Vikings’ disheartening loss to the Bears a couple Mondays ago, O’Neill went up against Montez Sweat and lost the matchup decisively. Per PFF, he allowed a career-high six pressures and surrendered two sacks in one game for just the second time in 93 career appearances.
O’Neill’s pass blocking grade on the night was a 44.7, his lowest of the year by nearly 20 points and his worst mark since his rookie season in 2018. That tells you quite a bit about how consistently good O’Neill has been and how unusual his poor performance was on Monday night (though he still graded well as a run-blocker, as he typically does).
Things aren’t going to get any easier for O’Neill this weekend. In fact, they’re getting even more difficult. Sweat is a great player, but O’Neill’s matchup this weekend is Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, a former All-Pro and DPOY vote-getter in the prime of his career at 26 years old. Crosby, who mostly lines up against right tackles, has 11.5 sacks, 64 pressures, and a 91.8 PFF grade this season.
Draft Stuff
Most notable players in transfer portal 2024
Kyle McCord, QB, Ohio State
Walter Nolen, DL, Texas A&M
LT Overton, DL, Texas A&M
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma
Dante Moore, QB, UCLA
Cameron Ward, QB, Washington State
Will Howard, QB, Kansas State (announced)
Tobias Merriweather, WR, Notre Dame
Riley Leonard, QB, Duke
DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Oregon State
Grayson McCall, QB, Coastal Carolina (announced)
LT Overton, DL, Texas A&M (announced)
The college football transfer portal, which can justifiably be referred to as college football free agency, opened up this week with a myriad of surprises.
Players who seemed ready to enter the NFL draft chose the portal instead. A multitude of draftable quarterbacks signaled their return for another year on the college field and entered the portal, destination unknown. All of this has wreaked havoc in the scouting community and amongst NFL agents.
Scouts were hopeful last year’s lack of depth would be made up in the 2024 NFL Draft, when those super-seniors who returned to school last season would join a regular batch of seniors. Yet in the early going, it seems many seniors will be going the super-senior route themselves.
Players who would normally project as late-round picks are receiving NIL deals in the range of $250,000 to $300,000. Middle-round prospects are inking deals that will net them $500,000 for the upcoming season.
…
The portal is giving players lots of options and it is a great opportunity for them to make some money while possibly improving their draft position.
Mekhi Blackmon was picked #102 (last pick of third round) and received a signing bonus of $857,516 which was all that was guaranteed as well.
Aidan O’Connell was picked #135 (last pick of fourth round) and received a signing bonus of $509,380 which was all that was guaranteed.
Puka Nacua was picked #177 (last pick of fifth round) and received a signing bonus of $244,976 which was all that was guaranteed.
If you are a college kid who gets a mid to late round draft grade, then it would not be a bad idea to get some MIL money and try to get a better draft grade. They all wont get 250K but they can get something.
Yore Mock
Trade Partner: Ravens
Sent: Pick 117, Pick 211
Received: Pick 125, Pick 158
..
Trade Partner: Browns
Sent: Pick 158
Received: Pick 189, Pick 216
…
21. Jared Verse EDGE Florida State 6’4” 260
52. Ruke Orhorhoro DT Clemson 6’4” 295
123. Mike Sainristil CB Michigan 5’10” 182
125. Payton Wilson LB NC State 6’4” 238
151. Beaux Limmer OC Arkansas 6’5” 307
153. Zak Zinter OG Michigan 6’6” 322
161. Ray Davis RB Kentucky 5’10” 216
189. Ainias Smith WR Texas A&M 5’10” 200
216. Joe Milton QB Tennessee 6’5” 235
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