Questions Answered: Early Draft Darling, Vikings’ Different QB, Divisional Spherical Opponent

Notre Dame nook again Benjamin Morrison (20) walks together with his group throughout heat ups earlier than a NCAA faculty soccer recreation between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend. © Michael Clubb / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Questions Answered: Early Draft Darling, Vikings’ Different QB, Divisional Spherical Opponent

Additionally, please observe: These are opinion-based responses. Some solutions might be incorrect once in a while. However we’ll attempt to preserve that to a minimal.

Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs.

Q: Who’s your early, sensible draft crush for the Vikings?

Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison addresses media after a Notre Dame soccer apply at Irish Athletic Middle on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in South Bend. © MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Reply: Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison.

That, after all, is that if Boise State operating again Ashton Jeanty isn’t remotely out there.

Morrison can begin straight away within the NFL and needs to be out there to Minnesota within the 20s. He’ll be in motion on Thursday evening towards Penn State, so test him out. He blends group want and finest participant out there, a minimum of from a January viewpoint within the draft cycle.

Heading into 2025, the Vikings have solely Mekhi Blackmon, Dwight McGlothern, and NaJee Thompson beneath contract at nook. Yikes.

Q: Who would be the QB2 for Minnesota this week? Nick Mullens or Daniel Jones?

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Reply: No person is aware of. Most likely Mullens.

Whether or not Mullens or Jones would play within the occasion of a Darnold harm, for instance, is unknown.

“It’s such a fluid thing here the rest of the way. We’re gonna do whatever we think gives us the best chance to win,” head coach Kevin O’Connell stated Thursday when requested if Jones could be the QB2 within the postseason.

For the final 18 weeks, Mullens, not Jones, has served because the undisputed QB2.

The non-answer from O’Connell is attention-grabbing — and proof that Jones might trot onto the sector if Sam Darnold acquired damage. The younger skipper might’ve simply stated, “Come on, people. Mullens is our QB2, and you know that.”

However he didn’t.

It’s a thriller that most likely received’t matter. It’s additionally value questioning how lengthy O’Connell would persist with Darnold if he started his incompletion streak once more. You realize, just like the world noticed at Ford Area.

Q: Which group is Minnesota most definitely to face if it beats Los Angeles?

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell cheers for the gamers at warm-up earlier than the Seattle Seahawks recreation at Ford Area in Detroit on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs.

Reply: If there are not any upsets, the Vikings (with a win) will play the Lions subsequent weekend.

Nonetheless, one win by the Commanders over the Buccaneers or the Packers beating the Eagles would flip that schedule. Minnesota would host the Commanders if Washington and Inexperienced Bay received.

Consider it this manner: the Vikings would keep away from the Lions for per week if the Packers win. That’s the ticket.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his every day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options company, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple group, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as intently because the NFL. 

All statistics offered by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual info offered by OverTheCap.com.