Well.....better to find out definitively now....

[JimmyinSD]

This is a good point. Who on the current staff could succeed Flores if he leaves? We've heard some positive buzz about Daronte Jones, but I haven't heard anyone say that he's the logical successor to Flores.

and there is all the talk about how exotic and unique Flores D is,  can any of his assistant or others in the league run it the way he does?  Sure there are disciples, but how often do they do it as good as the teacher?  would we once again be looking at a rebuild on D in terms of finding players to fit a new scheme instead of trying to put the proverbial round peg in that square hole once again.

[Knucklehead]

the board is full of posts about needing a massive talent infusion on the OL.... and we are talking about drafting DBs and RBs?

come on guys,  lets commit to fixing the IOL and IDL,  free agency as well as some younger talent as well.  Our DBs look a lot better if we had anything that resembled an interior push in our pass rush without having to send 5+ players.  our run game will look a lot better as well with some damn road graders blowing open holes.  for JJM we need to focus on the OL and dont be happy with 1 new IOL,  lets get serious about fixing the thing or watch JJM turn into the next Sam Darnold... mumbling about seeing ghosts.

It's early in the draft evaluation process, but from the mocks that I've seen & the stuff that I've read, it doesn't look like they'll be an IOL worthy of a first round selection. There should be a good crop of IOL's available in FA. That's the way to go to improve the IOL next season.

[supafreak84]

It's early in the draft evaluation process, but from the mocks that I've seen & the stuff that I've read, it doesn't look like they'll be an IOL worthy of a first round selection. There should be a good crop of IOL's available in FA. That's the way to go to improve the IOL next season.

I agree with this. There is talent at offensive line in free agency and I think that's where you spend the money. Sign guys that are proven. We've talked about Tre Smith, but Drew Dalman the center from Atlanta is another name to look at. 26 years old and is the top rated player at his position in free agency. According to PFF out of 64 centers graded, he ranked 4th overall, 5th in run blocking, and 22nd in pass blocking. That's a massive improvement to Bradbury who ranked 33rd overall, 14th in run blocking, and 44th in pass blocking. Back up the brings truck for Smith and Dalman in free agency and call it a day. Use the draft to address holes on defense, where our needs line up with the depth available.

[MaroonBells]

It's early in the draft evaluation process, but from the mocks that I've seen & the stuff that I've read, it doesn't look like they'll be an IOL worthy of a first round selection. There should be a good crop of IOL's available in FA. That's the way to go to improve the IOL next season.

Agree. It's a good free agent guard class too. I think all 10 of the guards on the FA list below would be upgrades. It would be a mistake to draft IOL in the 1st round. I don't say that just because I believe the 1st round should be reserved for positions of impact, but it's a bad year for top end IOL. I just looked at a top 250 big board and the first center or guard is number 65. 

https://www.pff.com/news/2025-nfl-free-a...y-position

[MAD GAINZ]

Agree. It's a good free agent guard class too. I think all 10 of the guards on the FA list below would be upgrades. It would be a mistake to draft IOL in the 1st round. I don't say that just because I believe the 1st round should be reserved for positions of impact, but it's a bad year for top end IOL. I just looked at a top 250 big board and the first center or guard is number 65. 

https://www.pff.com/news/2025-nfl-free-a...y-position

That's an interesting list.  According to their positional rankings, we have 5 of our own pending FAs listed top 5 in the FA class (Sam Darnold #1 at QB, Aaron Jones #1 RB, Cam Robinson #3 LT, Cam Bynum #4 Safety, and Byron Murphy #5 CB).

Even if we bring back Bynum (assuming Harry retires) and Murphy, we should still have a couple guys that will figure into the comp pick formula.

[JimmyinSD]

I agree with this. There is talent at offensive line in free agency and I think that's where you spend the money. Sign guys that are proven. We've talked about Tre Smith, but Drew Dalman the center from Atlanta is another name to look at. 26 years old and is the top rated player at his position in free agency. According to PFF out of 64 centers graded, he ranked 4th overall, 5th in run blocking, and 22nd in pass blocking. That's a massive improvement to Bradbury who ranked 33rd overall, 14th in run blocking, and 44th in pass blocking. Back up the brings truck for Smith and Dalman in free agency and call it a day. Use the draft to address holes on defense, where our needs line up with the depth available.

I typically assume that the best will be gone by the time FA rolls around,  or we just get outbid by teams that are "1 player away"

I will concede that I havent looked at draft or FA yet,  but I dont see any reason no to plan for both to address our line needs,  maybe try and flip that first for a couple later picks ( as long as we dont trade out of the talent and not get any decent prospects for the first.

[Greylock]

No doubt IDL. corner is a big need. I would not be surprised if they went tailback at 24, could be the prime spot for one of the top ones this draft. 

(cough, Henderson, cough)

Look what Gibbs and Montgomery have done for the Lions.

Given the # of needs on the team, its surprising to me they posted 14 wins. Not surprising, but kinda incredible. JJM's job would be a lot easier with a running game and that D has to improve vs pass too. 

Vikings are a good team, but not elite.

Tailback at 24, not sure that would be a good move unless they improve the offensive line.  Agree though they need a good tailback but maybe one could be found with a later pick.  Think they will sign an offensive line guy in free agency maybe even two.  So at pick 24 defensive line, corner, or even trade back for an extra pick.

[purplefaithful]

Tailback at 24, not sure that would be a good move unless they improve the offensive line.  Agree though they need a good tailback but maybe one could be found with a later pick.  Think they will sign an offensive line guy in free agency maybe even two.  So at pick 24 defensive line, corner, or even trade back for an extra pick.

Yah, Im not pounding the table for RB or bust at 24...

But I look at what Gibbs has done for Goff, King Henry for Lamar, Cook for Allen, Saquon for Hurts....

There is a pattern there - including good OL's.

[supafreak84]

I typically assume that the best will be gone by the time FA rolls around,  or we just get outbid by teams that are "1 player away"

I will concede that I havent looked at draft or FA yet,  but I dont see any reason no to plan for both to address our line needs,  maybe try and flip that first for a couple later picks ( as long as we dont trade out of the talent and not get any decent prospects for the first.

Vikings come in with the 6th most cap space to spend this offseason. KC is 22nd in cap space and the Falcons are 28th and already 6 million in the hole. So that's a good sign that guys like Smith and Dalman could actually hit the open market and be available. If I'm the Vikings, who have proven we can't draft offensive line talent, sign the proven players and upgrade that line.

[medaille]

I think you invest your FA money into OL and whatever best defender you can get on DL or DB.

At RB, I would resign Jones if his contract is similar to this year and then try to find a more physical guy that is more punishing to go with him.

I think you worry about stud RB in a year or two once the OLine is in place, not early in the rebuild.