2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: IOL

[MaroonBells]

I know some want RB, I think Minnesota is looking toward next year's Draft for a RB. I bet they don't even Draft one this year. I'd rather go vet FA spend next year also for a ILB, need them to be smart in Flo's D more than a super athlete. Less mistakes. I could also see Minnesota going Edge D-line somewhere after round 1....but like round 3. 

The team isn't hurting for skill players. But let's fortify both lines of scrimmage and work from there. Like the land of plenty deal. Hell Detroit might grab an O lineman or D lineman and Hutch is back for them. We have to keep up on the lines. FA has been A+ but its not sustainable next year or probably the year after, time to hit on the Draft.

How much? :-) Jones signed a two-year deal, but his cap hit in year two is $16M and the Vikings won't pay that to a RB of his age. So it's a one-year deal. Vikings may not feel RB is a day one or two need now, but I don't think they'll go into this pivotal season with the injury prone Aaron Jones as the only lead back on the team. Mason is awesome but much more of a RB2, and I think it would be a surprise if Chandler's back at all since he can't be trusted in pass pro. 

I actually think we add two backs. One in the draft and one after. If I'm KOC I want my RBOTF this year so he can take over for Jones next year, giving him a Jahmyr Gibbs-like on ramp.

[StickierBuns]

How much? :-) Jones signed a two-year deal, but his cap hit in year two is $16M and the Vikings won't pay that to a RB of his age. So it's a one-year deal. Vikings may not feel RB is a day one or two need now, but I don't think they'll go into this pivotal season with the injury prone Aaron Jones as the only lead back on the team. Mason is awesome but much more of a RB2, and I think it would be a surprise if Chandler's back at all since he can't be trusted in pass pro. 

I actually think we add two backs. One in the draft and one after. If I'm KOC I want my RBOTF this year so he can take over for Jones next year, giving him a Jahmyr Gibbs-like on ramp.

Why would the Vikings add two backs? Is Ham going somewhere? Jones, Mason and Ham is how the team is going to roll final roster. That's why 2026 is the year for the RB. Rookie RBs succeed every year and in every round. But JMO, I won't be upset with any scenario really thanks to KAM's free agency. The Vikings resigned Jones and brought in Mason, why again do you think its a need for 2025? Because its a deep field? I'm asking, not accusing.

[MaroonBells]

Why would the Vikings add two backs? Is Ham going somewhere? Jones, Mason and Ham is how the team is going to roll final roster. That's why 2026 is the year for the RB. Rookie RBs succeed every year and in every round. But JMO, I won't be upset with any scenario really thanks to KAM's free agency. The Vikings resigned Jones and brought in Mason, why again do you think its a need for 2025? Because its a deep field? I'm asking, not accusing.

Because of what I said above. Teams typically keep 4 backs. One on the practice squad. Vikings have two. One of whom is injury prone and 30.

[StickierBuns]

Because of what I said above. Teams typically keep 4 backs. One on the practice squad. Vikings have two. One of whom is injury prone and 30.

So you would be ok with drafting R.J. Harvey or the like in Round 3 and putting him on the practice squad, available for poaching? Because he wouldn't be on the final roster. Or does it make more sense to get a RB in rounds 1 or 2 NEXT year and just keep him on the regular roster, splitting carries with Mason? Just sayin' because Aaron Jones is gonzo after this season.....replace it with a rookie contract next year and save $8 million which is the difference between cap hit and dead cap hit on Jones in 2026.

[supafreak84]

I actually think we add two backs. One in the draft and one after. If I'm KOC I want my RBOTF this year so he can take over for Jones next year, giving him a Jahmyr Gibbs-like on ramp.

Sounds a whole lot like Treyveon Henderson to me. I know running back isn't our most pressing need for this upcoming season, but for all the reasons you bring up, adding another weapon to help out our young quarterback is a move I don't think anyone can complain about. Especially if we are going to be more committed to running the football this season. Treyveon Henderson is absolutely the pick I'd be most excited about in this draft and give us the juice in the backfield we haven't had since Dalvin Cook was in his prime. You want players that scare defenses and Henderson is one of those guys because he is so damn good at everything and only needs a little daylight to take it 80 yards.

[MaroonBells]

So you would be ok with drafting R.J. Harvey or the like in Round 3 and putting him on the practice squad, available for poaching? Because he wouldn't be on the final roster. Or does it make more sense to get a RB in rounds 1 or 2 NEXT year and just keep him on the regular roster, splitting carries with Mason? Just sayin' because Aaron Jones is gonzo after this season.....replace it with a rookie contract next year and save $8 million which is the difference between cap hit and dead cap hit on Jones in 2026.

Huh?? No, you wouldn't draft a guy like Harvey in the 3rd and put him on the practice squad. Why would you do that? He'd obviously be on the active roster.

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Sounds a whole lot like Treyveon Henderson to me. I know running back isn't our most pressing need for this upcoming season, but for all the reasons you bring up, adding another weapon to help out our young quarterback is a move I don't think anyone can complain about. Especially if we are going to be more committed to running the football this season. Treyveon Henderson is absolutely the pick I'd be most excited about in this draft and give us the juice in the backfield we haven't had since Dalvin Cook was in his prime. You want players that scare defenses and Henderson is one of those guys because he is so damn good at everything and only needs a little daylight to take it 80 yards.

You and I are in sync on this one. I think drafting a back with our 1st pick would be a little surprising given the depth of this class at RB and our dearth of draft picks, but I would have no problem with Henderson as our first pick, especially after a trade down.

[JustInTime]

I’d say we carry 4 RBs this year AND Ham. Depending on what additional picks we acquire going Harvey and Martinez would be ideal. You’ve got like in kind replacements for Jones and Mason. Plus you get a legit home run hitter in Harvey. Plus, if Harvey can return punts then you’ve really got something.

[JustInTime]

I’d say we carry 4 RBs this year AND Ham. Depending on what additional picks we acquire going Harvey and Martinez would be ideal. You’ve got like in kind replacements for Jones and Mason. Plus you get a legit home run hitter in Harvey. Plus, if Harvey can return punts then you’ve really got something.

[MaroonBells]

I’d say we carry 4 RBs this year AND Ham. Depending on what additional picks we acquire going Harvey and Martinez would be ideal. You’ve got like in kind replacements for Jones and Mason. Plus you get a legit home run hitter in Harvey. Plus, if Harvey can return punts then you’ve really got something.

That's just it. I think the amount of backs we carry, whether three or four, depends on what position the return guy plays. In 2023, we had Mattison, Akers, Chandler and Fast Kenny active. A year later, a WR (Powell) was our return guy, so only three RBs, Jones, Chandler and Akers. 

I'd love to go into the season with a RB depth chart of Jones, Mason, Harvey and a UDFA on the PS. Sign me up for that.

[StickierBuns]

No my bad, I was thinking Vikings carry only 3 RBs....they could carry 4. My post was on the thought of just 3.