Analyst suggests the Minnesota Vikings add a veteran backup at a key position
Minnesota signed Isaiah Rodgers in free agency, but he has only had 13 starts since 2020. On the other side, former top-three pick Jeff Okudah is looking to battle with third-year cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, who is coming off an ACL tear.
The coaching staff has expressed their optimism in the room, but what if injuries strike again? Even if these players were to all pan out, there isn't much proven depth behind them. Matt Holder of Bleacher Report believes that the Vikings should swing a trade for a veteran before the season kicks off.
With Byron Murphy Jr. covering the slot in nickel personnel, the Vikings are expected to start Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah at the two cornerback spots on the boundary. Rodgers and Okudah were backups for the Eagles and Texans, respectively, a year ago, so it couldn't hurt to add another veteran into the mix.
Rodgers will be counted on to start. Okudah's spot on the roster, let alone the starting lineup, isn't a guarantee. But there are also free agent options, such as Rasul Douglas and Stephon Gilmore, who started 15 games for the Vikings last season.
Perhaps the Vikings are waiting to see how their current room plays out before contacting Gilmore, who will turn 35 in September. Minnesota didn't sign him until mid-August the previous season, but his familiarity with Brian Flores' system helped facilitate his transition. Maybe we see the same scenario play out this year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Seeking to learn, Puka Nacua asks Davante Adams to lead the LA Rams' receiving drills
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although Puka Nacua is one of the NFL's top receivers as he heads into his third season with the Los Angeles Rams, he thinks he still has plenty to learn from the new teammate wearing his old uniform number. Nacua was full of praise and admiration for Davante Adams after just one practice in training camp at Loyola Marymount University on Wednesday. Nacua is determined to soak up the techniques and teachings of the six-time Pro Bowl selection who joined the Rams as a replacement for Cooper Kupp in the spring. 'I've asked Davante to lead our position group drills,' Nacua said. 'There was respect from him coming in, saying, 'I don't want to push you out of the way, or to try to take your spot,' or that I should be up there No. 1, but it's something (where) I have a huge amount of respect for his game, and I'm blessed to be around people like Coop, and to have Davante come in.' There's also a practical reason for Nacua's invitation to Adams: 'When I was in the front, I'm trying to sprint as fast as I can so I can turn around and watch him. So I was like, 'Hey, I think it would make my job a little easier if you go first.'' Nacua's respect for Adams has been obvious from the day Adams signed. Nacua willingly ceded the No. 17 jersey he had worn for two seasons in Los Angeles, switching to the No. 12 he wore in college. Adams got the ball frequently during the Rams' opening workout, impressing the fans in the stands while catching passes from Jimmy Garoppolo. Matthew Stafford is starting training camp on the sidelines as he recovers from back soreness, leaving Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett in the pocket for the first week. Nacua was observing Adams with admiration, watching everything from his famous release skills at the line of scrimmage to his ball concentration in traffic. 'His illusion of speed and lateral quickness is something I'm trying to add to my game in the way that it fits my skill set,' Nacua said. 'I wouldn't say there's a lot of people that can replicate some of the things that he can do, but I try to understand the movement so I can add it to my game.' But Adams also recognizes the remarkable ascent of Nacua, the former fifth-round pick. Nacua's average of 88.4 yards receiving per game is the second-best in NFL history among non-scab players, trailing only Minnesota's Justin Jefferson (96.5). Nacua has 184 catches for 2,476 yards in just 28 regular-season games for the Rams, but he could be even more dangerous with Adams as his counterpart. Defenses will be unable to focus primarily on Nacua, as they did at times in his first two seasons when Kupp was injured or ineffective, likely allowing Nacua to get into more advantageous matchups for Stafford. The big picture looks good for Nacua, but he's also concentrating on learning the small details from Adams, whose skills he can list in encyclopedic detail. 'I'd say his body control, and obviously his elusiveness at the line of scrimmage,' Nacua said. 'But then his awareness, the rotation of defenders and how to attack leverage on anyone, everything down the field, and then to have the illusion of going the opposite direction of where you want to go. He does a great job, and he explains it so well in the meeting room, so it makes it fun to watch tape and to be like, 'OK, how can I add some of these things to my toolbox?'' Nacua is one year away from the chance to sign a contract extension, but he isn't thinking much about the massive looming payday if he produces another prolific season with Stafford and Adams. 'A little bit, but I try my best to stay completely present where my feet are,' Nacua said. 'It's exciting to see guys push the envelope for the wide receiver game.' ___ AP NFL:
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Seeking to learn, Puka Nacua asks Davante Adams to lead the LA Rams' receiving drills
Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Although Puka Nacua is one of the NFL's top receivers as he heads into his third season with the Los Angeles Rams, he thinks he still has plenty to learn from the new teammate wearing his old uniform number. Nacua was full of praise and admiration for Davante Adams after just one practice in training camp at Loyola Marymount University on Wednesday. Nacua is determined to soak up the techniques and teachings of the six-time Pro Bowl selection who joined the Rams as a replacement for Cooper Kupp in the spring. 'I've asked Davante to lead our position group drills,' Nacua said. 'There was respect from him coming in, saying, 'I don't want to push you out of the way, or to try to take your spot,' or that I should be up there No. 1, but it's something (where) I have a huge amount of respect for his game, and I'm blessed to be around people like Coop, and to have Davante come in.' There's also a practical reason for Nacua's invitation to Adams: 'When I was in the front, I'm trying to sprint as fast as I can so I can turn around and watch him. So I was like, 'Hey, I think it would make my job a little easier if you go first.'' Nacua's respect for Adams has been obvious from the day Adams signed. Nacua willingly ceded the No. 17 jersey he had worn for two seasons in Los Angeles, switching to the No. 12 he wore in college. Adams got the ball frequently during the Rams' opening workout, impressing the fans in the stands while catching passes from Jimmy Garoppolo. Matthew Stafford is starting training camp on the sidelines as he recovers from back soreness, leaving Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett in the pocket for the first week. Nacua was observing Adams with admiration, watching everything from his famous release skills at the line of scrimmage to his ball concentration in traffic. 'His illusion of speed and lateral quickness is something I'm trying to add to my game in the way that it fits my skill set,' Nacua said. 'I wouldn't say there's a lot of people that can replicate some of the things that he can do, but I try to understand the movement so I can add it to my game.' But Adams also recognizes the remarkable ascent of Nacua, the former fifth-round pick. Nacua's average of 88.4 yards receiving per game is the second-best in NFL history among non-scab players, trailing only Minnesota's Justin Jefferson (96.5). Nacua has 184 catches for 2,476 yards in just 28 regular-season games for the Rams, but he could be even more dangerous with Adams as his counterpart. Defenses will be unable to focus primarily on Nacua, as they did at times in his first two seasons when Kupp was injured or ineffective, likely allowing Nacua to get into more advantageous matchups for Stafford. The big picture looks good for Nacua, but he's also concentrating on learning the small details from Adams, whose skills he can list in encyclopedic detail. 'I'd say his body control, and obviously his elusiveness at the line of scrimmage,' Nacua said. 'But then his awareness, the rotation of defenders and how to attack leverage on anyone, everything down the field, and then to have the illusion of going the opposite direction of where you want to go. He does a great job, and he explains it so well in the meeting room, so it makes it fun to watch tape and to be like, 'OK, how can I add some of these things to my toolbox?'' Nacua is one year away from the chance to sign a contract extension, but he isn't thinking much about the massive looming payday if he produces another prolific season with Stafford and Adams. 'A little bit, but I try my best to stay completely present where my feet are,' Nacua said. 'It's exciting to see guys push the envelope for the wide receiver game.' ___ AP NFL: recommended Item 1 of 3
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Wild's Kirill Kaprizov gets record-setting $120 million contract update
Kirill Kaprizov is on his way to a record-setting payday. That's what the latest report from NHL insider Frank Seravalli says. Seravalli has Kaprizov lined up an eight-year, $120 million contract extension with the Minnesota Wild. That would be $15 million a year, which would narrowly break Leon Draisaitl's mark for annual average value. The expectation is then that Edmonton star Connor McDavid would get an even bigger contract, but that's still to be determined. The 28-year old Russian winger Kaprizov is coming off a season in which he played just 41 games but still managed 25 goals and 31 assists. MORE: Maple Leafs have completed their $10.5 million Mitch Marner replacement plan In his career, he has 185 goals and 201 assists in 319 games. Minnesota took Kaprizov in the fifth round in 2015, and it has certainly been a worthwhile pick. He has spent five seasons in the NHL since coming stateside. In the last four, he has averaged more than a point per game. Kaprizov is one of the best players in the league, and he's soon going to be paid as such. MORE NHL NEWS: Avalanche's failed winger leaving for KHL Blue Jackets lose 1st-round pick to Russia for at least 4 years Red Wings forward announces shock NHL retirement at age 28 Lightning legend retires after 2 Stanley Cups Anze Kopitar shares feelings on his NHL future Rangers center retires after 12 NHL seasons due to knee injuries
