There's a lot of things I like about Sanders and have said as much over the last year plus. He's tough minded, keeps his eyes downfield, accurate, some pocket mobility. But the buzz on him low-level is that his arm is really weak. Like if he started in the NFL tomorrow, his arm would rank 32nd. That's rough. It can't be fixed or overcome, its just a trait that is what it is. I could see him falling out of the first round possibly.

per Vikings.com

I'm biased, but it seems to me that a 14-win team upgrading at least 5 positions would finish a little better than just one spot ahead of an 11-win team who did virtually nothing. I suppose it's all about the QB though, and ours is a big question mark in the eyes of most.

Rank 7
Minnesota Vikings
You can't say the Vikings have been passive, that's for sure. The defensive line was an issue, so they added defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The O-line wasn't how they wanted it, so they dropped two starters and added Will Fries and Ryan Kelly . They also kept Byron Murphy Jr. and Aaron Jones -- paying up to do so -- and made a savvy trade with the 49ers for RB Jordan Mason . And, of course, there was the Big One: letting Sam Darnold walk. I wondered how the Vikings would approach the offseason after going 14-3, and as it turns out, they're being very aggressive. But for now, the aggression has stopped at quarterback, where most signs point to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy taking over as the starter. Sure, there's risk in that approach, but it's always felt like their North Star, even with the Aaron Rodgers option available to them. This is a delicate situation, but so far, the Vikings haven't done anything to upset it, which is commendable.

Rank 8
Green Bay Packers
Years of inactivity in March conditioned Packers fans to feel disappointment at this juncture of the calendar. So perhaps 2024's veritable free-agent frenzy -- Green Bay signed Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney -- reset expectation levels a bit too high. Some harbored dreams of trading for Trey Hendrickson or DK Metcalf , but neither of those moves materialized, with the actual additions of nickelback Nate Hobbs and guard Aaron Banks paling in comparison. Then again, those could end up being fairly important when we look back later. Cornerback still seems like a spot where the Packers could add, and they have the flexibility to do so. And it continues to feel likely they'll move on from Jaire Alexander at some point. But the thing about this team under GM Brian Gutekunst is that it has found ways to get the roster in good shape more often than not by training camp. I suspect these Packers will do the same by the time we get to July.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-ranki...ree-agency

I've heard the term 'championship caliber' thrown around. Thoughts?

I think we've bridged the gap mightily. I'd say we're closer to that undoubtedly, but not sure if its Superbowl level. Lots of factors of course in play: health, cohesion, QB play, etc. Its only March. I'm asking what you think RIGHT NOW.

Will Johnson will miss the Michigan pro day with a still tweaked hamstring. There's whispers of his draft stock dropping before this latest piece of bad news. I've got to think he's in play at 24. Started off this draft cycle as a likely top ten CB2 prospect. 

The rest of Michigan's pro day hopefully will feature something looking like Bruce Feldman's freaks list. Ill be interested in Graham's weight as he apparently cut weight for the Combine but couldn't run or drill due to a heel bruise. I'm guessing high 4.8s for him and sub 5 for Grant.

I wish we had a spot for Landon Jackson. Absolutely terrorised during the Senior Bowl game. An Edge with a 1.71 split is considered elite. He went 1.69. Seriously undervalued guy right now. 

With KOC favorite Johnny Mundt off to Jax, TE late seems to be an option. Not a bad year to want a TE. There are a couple big WR types that I would avod. Could be deep enough to grab a guy as a priority UDFA.

Speaking of UDFA, I fully expect Kwesi to pull out the checkbook again and tap into what will likely be a class heavy in undrafted RB talent. JCM and Efron Chism could be a couple excellent gets in Day 4. 

Someone will do something stupid in the top 10. Happens every year. My guess is someone over values Jason Dart big time. NYG is my guess.

Here's who's gone:

Kirk Cousins
Cook
KJO
Theilen
Cleveland
Bradbury
Ingram
Tomlinson
Hunter
Hicks
Kendricks
Z' Smith
Dantzler
Peterson
Mattison
Reigor
Irv Smith
Tonga
Sullivan
Shelley
Reed
Schlottman
Nwangwu
Jones II
Udoh
Vilian
Wonnum
Wright
Bynum
Cine


Oh my...I'm sure there's some I missed

https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/stat...QxBOcXgWvA&s=19

Not grading them as players, just ranking them according to how much I liked the move. I didn’t include depth moves like Wilson, Skule, Thomas et al. 

1. Jonathan Allen - 3 years @ 17M per
Our biggest need filled by a ultra-talented pass rusher whose price was reasonable due to a pec injury in 2024.  Hurt last year, but his pass rush grades the 4 years prior: 78, 81, 91, 84. To compare, Jonathan Bullard’s pass rush grade last year was 47, Tillery’s 54. Great player, great human, great leader. Will add some serious fire to the Vikings defense. Biggest misconception about him is that he’s old. He just turned 30. Also, not a factor in the comp formula. 6 months from now, this is the player we'll all be excited about. 

2. Ryan Kelly - 2 years @ 9M per
Every bit the run blocker that Bradbury is, but this is a massive, immediate upgrade in pass pro. With a young QB, I actually like that he’s older. Bradbury would surround a good game with two bad games. But year in, year out, game in, game out, Kelly’s been remarkably consistent as both a run and pass blocker. I also think signing the older Kelly over the younger Dalman might signal how they feel about Jurgens.

3. Will Fries - 5 years @ 17.6M per
Absurdly good PFF grades in 2024 in both run and pass. So why in the name of chili cheese did the Colts let him go? I really don't get that. My biggest concern is he did it for only 5 games. Brandel looked good for 5 games too. Did his light come on or was that an outlier? Vikings are obviously convinced it’s the former. 26 years old and signed for 5 years, this is our RG for the ages. Adding his line mate Kelly makes this move even better. 

4. Isaiah Rodgers - 2 years @ 5.5M per
Young, ascending player. PFF grades definitely argue starter-level, but probably not someone you want to count on as a CB1 or CB2. More than any other, this addition feels like many of the moves we made last year.

5. Javon Hargrave - 2 years @ 15M per
32 yo and hurt last year, but his pass rush grades the 4 years prior were 87, 91, 92, 84. Again, Jonathan Bullard’s pass rush grade was 47, Tillery’s 54. By itself, this is a solid move, but combined with Allen it’s a home run. We had to get better pressure when rushing only 4. Greenard, Allen, Hargrave, Turner/Gink could be the best pass rush we’ve had in decades. Who do you block? 


6. Byron Murphy - 3 years @ 18M per
I think Murphy is a very good corner, but I don’t think he’s elite. In fact, I think of him as a very good CB2. The $22M was jarring. But that’s not what he got. It’s basically a two-year deal at $18M per. I’m fine with that. The Vikings didn’t have many options left after Ward and Reed signed with other teams. He’s not a shut-down guy, but we already know he fits well in Flores’ defense. How many picks will he have with better pressure?