Dustin Baker’s Bold Summer Predictions for Vikings

Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass while defended by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images. The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason has featured a mostly quiet coaching carousel, a not-quiet free agency, a pretty compact draft, and the schedule release. The summer is almost here, and these are five bold predictions for the Vikings when we get there. Now, it’s on to summer. Consider these five bold predictions for June through early September. The prognostications are listed in no particular order. UDFA OT Logan Brown on the 53-Man Roster a No-Brainer In 2023, Ivan Pace Jr. quickly turned into the undrafted free agent no-brainer to make the Vikings’ 53-man roster. To an extent, those men in 2024 were cornerback Dwight McGlothern and outside linebacker Bo Richter. Oct 5, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks offensive lineman Logan Brown (52) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images. This time, offensive tackle Logan Brown from Kansas will fit the description, especially with Christian Darrisaw recovering from a torn ACL. The Vikings have newcomer veteran Justin Skule on the roster after Darrisaw, along with second-year lineman Walter Rouse. The roster is tailor-made for a man like Brown to earn a role, and most draft pundits believed the Jayhawk should’ve flown off the draftboard sometime in Round 4, 5, 6, or 7. Tai Felton Hype Train Hits Fever Pitch Round 3 wide receivers are no joke, and in fact, the Vikings haven’t drafted one from that specific round in 22 years. The last guy was Nate Burleson. Teams don’t draft receivers from that Round to let them waste away on the depth chart. That’s what 5th- through 7th-Rounders do. Sep 14, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Tai Felton (10) catches a touchdown pass as Virginia Cavaliers safety Antonio Clary (0) looks on during the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images. With any wide receiver drafted by Minnesota, expectations soar through the roof because of the franchise’s rich history with men like Randy Moss, Justin Jefferson, Percy Harvin, Stefon Diggs, Jordan Addison, and others. Felton will be no different per the hype train. To accompany the soon-to-be hype, Felton will flash signs of promise — speed galore and electricity for the WR3 position. By late August, fans will pound the table for Felton as perhaps the Vikings’ next big thing. They don’t swing and miss on wide receivers often. Vikings Sign TE Gerald Everett Indeed, the purple team has three new tight ends on the roster: Gavin Bartholmew, Ben Yuroksek, and Bryon Nesbit. Bartholomew or Yurosek will probably make the 53-man depth chart as TE3, and that’ll be that. Nov 23, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett (81) runs the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Jordan Whitehead (33) during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports. But let’s get bold and predict tight end Gerald Everett as a late-summer Vikings signing, a man with ties to Kevin O’Connell from the 2020 Los Angeles Rams. Similar to adding Robert Tonyan last summer, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will sign Everett as depth insurance. Everett last played for the Bears in 2024 but wasn’t used much on offense. Rondale Moore Gets Cut Moore, a free-agent signing from March, is recovering from a season-ending injury in 2024, and his timeline for full health might bump against the end of the summer. At the time of the Moore signing, nobody knew that Adofo-Mensah would draft the aforementioned Felton six weeks later. Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports. The Vikings also signed undrafted free agent wide receiver Silas Bolden from the University of Texas, a man with Temu Rondale Moore qualities. Moore can be cut this summer with just a $250,000 dead cap penalty — frivolity in NFL-speak. Felton and Bolden pass him on the depth chart. Trade for CB Tariq Woolen with Seahawks Considers these factoids about a possible Tariq Woolen trade to the Vikings. The Seahawks employ Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, and Tariq Woolen at cornerback — three bonafide starters. Seattle has auditioned cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Rasul Douglas in recent weeks. Why does it need another starting corner? Woolen’s rookie contract will expire at the end of the 2025 season and has not been extended. The Seahawks benched Woolen for a game last December, and he fussed about it. Brian Flores loves tall, physical cornerbacks. The Vikings arguably have a CB2 roster need. Minnesota is no stranger to trade business with Seattle — see: Sam Howell. Aug 10, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and other teammates react from the sidelines after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports. There’s the case for a Woolen trade to the Vikings. As a bold prediction, book it.