Sunday, April 20, 2025

Christmas in April for NFL fans

 

This is the time I year I look so forward to as draft week is here and all the mock drafts I have seen or read I am ready for the real deal starting this Thursday night April, 24,2025.

The team last season surprised even me with all the success they had with double digit wins after Las Vegas has them winning 6-7.  I of course will take that surprise again and again.  I am a diehard but looking at last year’s schedule and so many new players how would it go?

I am very concerned this year again with the draft because our GM, Kwesi seems to have missed on more than he has not. I am a positive person and state here in this blog I love the job he has done signing free agents.

It’s a twofold thought because I love the new players but on the other hand, we are not getting younger by adding veterans. I look at the NFC North and see so much success with their drafts we can’t afford to get behind the youth movement.  I love what the Lions have done. In the last few years and the Packers I believe are one if the youngest teams in not the youngest.

I love the roster up and down and wonder what we need with so many veterans. I start with safety after losing Cam Bynum to free agency to the Colts and know Harrison Smith’s time is winding as the older, he gets. I am appreciative of his coming back for another year. I know the team signed Theo Jackson resigned Safety, Theo Jackson however he has very little play time in the secondary with most of his time om special teams. It will be an interesting makeup with Smith and Jackson. I know Josh Metellus is very versatile and will be needed. I look at the draft and have seen mock drafts with looking like Nick Emmanwori out of South Carolina is slotted to be in purple. The other safety, Azarey’eh Thomas from Florida State to be a potential pick.  I have watched highlights on both on would love to see either one in purple.

My other thought on the draft knowing we only have 4 picks I would not be surprised whatsoever to see a trade back to 26,27,28, or 29 and get more picks. If I was a betting man this is what I would bet on.

The other positions or positions I would like to add depth is offensive line or defensive line. I love to see the two new veterans signed in free agency Justin Skula (TB), Ryan Kelly (Ind) and Will Fries (Ind). I am glad the Vikings moved on from Garrett Bradbury at center. I do thank him for his time here but I thought he was too small and got pushed around a little too much for my liking.

One thing that has bothered me the last few years is watching the opponents get 3-4 yards before being touched while the Vikings running back might get a couple yards and then fight like heck to get more.  Our running backs have had to work much harder than they should have to at the line of scrimmage.

I have been looking at a couple mock drafts and see what is projected for the purple and a name I see are Grey Zabel,a guard from NDSU and Kelvin Banks Jr., out of Texas. I read what people like Is his reach ability.

I look at our current tackles both Brian O’Neil and the other book end, Christian Darrisaw which I love the duo however after early season ending surgery on Darrisaw how will he be?

I think right now on paper the offensive line will be much improved from last year and the Vikings will run the ball with authority.

It’s such an exciting time of hype and hope for all of NFL fans.

I am a big fan of giving JJ McCarthy the keys to the convertible and know our backup for now is unproved Brett Rypien. I know the time will sign a veteran and NO I DO NOT WANT AARON RODGERS!!!!!

 

Thursday night can’t come soon enough for me.  I have been to over 20 draft parties and honestly well over half of them fans have booed the Vikings pick.  It was last year the biggest cheers came with the drafting of JJ McCarthy at pick 10 then the team surprising the fans and moving up to 17 to take Dallas Turner.

How will Thursday go at US Bank Stadium will fans boo or cheer? Only time will tell.

 

That’s all for now.

Thank you for reading

Purplestick

SKOL

 

 

 

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