Minnesota has the draft in a little over two weeks, and it’s one that’s more important than usual.
The Vikings have no choice but to fill important positions in the NFL Draft. What ends up oftentimes being depth players, will now have to be starters in 2020-21, given the way the team’s salary cap worked out, and the talent who signed elsewhere in the offseason.
The Vikings, which has general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer in contract years, will have to answer these three questions in order to assess the long-term future of the team.
Can the offensive line continue to improve?
The offensive line struggled in 2018-19, but this past season, the position group improved.
Minnesota switched to a system that was less about standard drop backs, and more about running the ball, and utilizing play-action passes and roll outs.
The switch worked, not only for Kirk Cousins, but also for the offensive line. It helped running back Dalvin Cook have a career year.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Vikings 29th on the offensive line after 2018’s final regular season game. This past season, the group ranked 19th after the regular season.
The Vikings have to make sure the team takes steps forward on the offensive line. Minnesota should draft a tackle or maybe even make a trade for Trent Williams, in order to ensure that the position group finds success. It’s crucial for the future.
Is Kirk Cousins the answer at quarterback?
As much as Cousins improved in 2019-20, there are still question marks surrounding his level of play against the top talent in the league.
I think Cousins has gotten a bad wrap among Vikings fans. He’s thrown 56 touchdowns and only 16 interceptions. He also led the team to a playoff victory this most recent season.
However, Minnesota will have to assess if Cousins is the quarterback of the team’s future. If he’s not, there’s no longer a no-trade clause in his contract, so the Vikings could deal him.
Is it time to move on with the coaching staff and front office?
This is a make-or-break year for Zimmer as head coach and Spielman as general manager.
The team cannot afford to rebuild, but sometimes it seems like they’re doing just that.
I still think the Vikings are in win-now mode, and if the team takes a step back in 2020-21, like missing the playoffs, then it’s time to question whether Minnesota should move in a different direction.
Zimmer is a good coach who wins games, but should Minnesota have a defensive coach? Spielman is a solid general manager who can help the team find value in the draft. But did he sign too many lackluster free agents, bogging the team down in the salary cap?
Those are questions that the team should be thinking about in 2020-21, especially if the Vikings start losing.
