Minnesota Moves 2023

[Bundy]

With the offseason reaching its pre-draft peak and NFL front offices shifting the majority of their focus to the 2023 Draft, the Minnesota Vikings announce some roster moves.

Departures

WR Mathew Madden - traded to Washington

While the NFL world has had time to digest the defending Super Bowl champs loading up with another weapon, the closest followers of the Vikings didn't seem to be shocked by the move.

Calling in to Paul Allen's 9 to Noon radio show, Vikings insider Ben Gosling made note of the success of 2022 1st round selection Alex Williams III's success through his rookie campaign, with the trade reinforcing the Vikings ideas of getting the young budding star to be more heavily involved in the offense. "Madden is certainly going to be missed after being the marquee free agency signing a year ago - but his departure is probably just as healthy for the team as it is for Madden's championship hopes," quipped Gosling. "When you have Paul Gurule, who can be a WR1 on 30 other NFL teams, and you have AWIII, hypothetically keeping Madden for another year doesn't necessarily translate into wins in 2023 and beyond for the Vikings."

OT Nelson Garcia - traded to Las Vegas

Garcia was a big time bookend opposite Charles Seay, but the Vikings offensive line was made up of the two tackles, LG Louis Perez, center Darren Willard, and a rotation at right guard. Creating another hole in the very important offensive trench isn't ideal, but the Vikings shed cap space both this year and next in moving Garcia.

OG Jin Webb - signed with Pittsburgh

Webb was probably the biggest "constant" at the Vikings right guard spot, playing 800+ snaps and allowing 4.0 sacks. The 27 year old was eager to make at least one "payday" in his career, which didn't align with the Vikings plans as they viewed his status as replacement caliber.

RB Bruno Hanson - traded to Dallas

Hanson entered the Vikings program as the default bell-cow back, but with the team scooping 2021 CFB leading rusher Cooper McGough in the 2022 Draft, Hanson's days were immediately numbered. With the Vikings having hiccups early in the 2022 campaign, they shifted primary duties to McGough, which stunted Hanson's ability to be a difference maker. Dallas is still in a solid spot to contend with Washington, even with the Madden acquisition into the division, and Hanson will get plenty of opportunities to push the Cowboys towards a ring. 

OLB Michael Naccarato - agreed to terms with Carolina

Minnesota let Naccarato walk despite him seeing big time reps at both OLB and ILB for the team. He finished with 100 tackles over 999 snaps, and there were rumors that the Vikings were holding out until post-draft to bring the versatile 27 year old back into the fold. Instead, Naccarato took a FA trip to Carolina, and after meeting Panthers GM @Jambo, he was hooked on their plan moving forward. The Vikings wouldn't commit to Naccarato being a starter in 2023, and while he hasn't locked anything up under a new coaching staff in a new city, he thinks he's got a better chance there.

DT Ronald Dixon - agreed to terms with L.A. Rams

Dixon finsihed with 42 tackles, 12 assits, and 3.5 sacks, playing over one thousand snaps with the 2022 Vikings. Although Dixon and Minnesota were in negotiations, they were unable to come to terms before free agency started. Dixon still entertained a Minnesota free agency offer, but eventually was overcome by interest from @tsweezy's Commanders and @Vivid's Rams offers. Of all Vikings to leave the team through Free Agency, Dixon is probably the biggest loss in terms of impact.

SS Anthony Ahmed and CB Nick Beltre - traded to Kansas City

Ahmed was a special teams star for the Vikings, recording a team-leading 11 ST tackles over 501 snaps. But the Vikings, following a tip off from a casual meeting with the Tulane college coach @kgreene829, had already turned to UDFA WR Austin Clark midseason as their special teams gunner focus, with Clark notching 6 ST tackles himself despite only being signed for around half of the season. Special teams specialists are important, but it was already coming down to a numbers game, with the Vikings wishing to focus on "schematic fits" defensively over the luxury of carrying special teamers on that side of the ball, ruling Ahmed (and Beltre) out of future plans. The Vikings did good by the now sophomore DBs in sending them to zone-heavy Kansas City.

ILB Kevin Vangrinsven - contract expired to free agency

Vangrinsven's most notable contributions to the Vikings were his drunken tirades during the Week 2 Bye following the victory over Green Bay. He quickly lost his role to Michael Naccarato, and has since become disgruntled with the Vikings organization, and with football in general. Unless @Suffocationand the Packers want to offer him a spot based off of hate-fueled revenge, his time in the League is probably expired.

TE D.J. Neverauskas - contract expired to free agency

The Vikings primary tight end following the trade of John Hendrickson to the Titans (and now, Bengals), Neverauskas had put up 63 receptions for 815 yards and 7 TDs in his lone college season under @Kirby and catching passes from notable mom-banger Matt Howard. Neverauskas could never quite catch on with the Vikings, struggling to 15 catches for 111 yards with a ST tackle. Neverauskas might have something to offer post-draft when teams don't have to offer him GTD money, and could potentially be a FA target for the Jags, who continue to look to acclimate Howard to the NFL game.

RB Jaboree Hundley, TE Gary Stewart, WR Bryn Moore, WR Justin Bethel, OT Eldridge Staggers, OG Francisco Spaight, DT Anthony Brown, DT Daniel Dekker, DE Zhaire Kouandjio, FS Shawn Johnson - released to be free agents

There might be a chance that a few of these guys catch on elsewhere yet, but they mostly make up the Vikings 2022 Practice Squad and some low-level special teamers, and are probably nothing more than camp bodies going forward. FS Shawn Johnson, who had 3 special teams tackles early in the 2022 season, has already begun looking into a future coaching career, completing a spring internship at his alma mater Kansas. 

Additions

C Quinterrius Parsons and DT Michael Fumagalli - traded from Washington

The Vikings had a high draft grade on Fumagalli entering the 2022 Draft, and they made sure to go out and get him this year when the opportunity presented itself. Fumagalli had a disappointing rookie season, never clicking with the Washington staff, and in turn getting on the field for zero reps. The Vikings were also majorly seeking out interior depth following the departure of Jin Webb, and they are no stranger to playing lineman out of their natural position, having played 2022 rookie UDFA OT Brandon Gwynn (497 snaps, 1.0 sack allowed, 2 ST tackles) at right guard for portions of the season. Parsons is immediately an upgrade over Gwynn and fellow 2022 UDFA Danny Syndergaard, though it seems the Vikings are more focused on making him the long-term plan to replace Darren Willard eventually in the middle of the line. 

Fumagalli remembers the Vikings pre-draft interest in him well. "They had me out there on the same day as (2022 Vikings draft pick, DE) Mitch Rivers, and I remember just hitting it off so well, and all the plans they were laying out for us. I wasn't disappointed to go to Washington, but the Vikings visit really stood out, they really wanted me." The Vikings had interest in Fumagalli for good reason, as he'd tallied 38 tackles, 4 assists, 16 TFL, and 2.0 sacks at Auburn. Whether he can recapture this dominating presence remains to be seen.

OT Steve Kozel - signed from street FA

Kozel spent time with the Saints during the 2022 offseason, but couldn't quite hack the opening day roster, getting cut during the preseason. With the Vikings moving on from Nelson Garcia, Kozel signs a 1-year "prove it" deal to at least pencil in as the stop-gap right tackle. The Vikings remain high on 2022 UDFA Ricky Gonzalez, so Kozel won't be a shoe-in for the role, but the presumption is there. Kozel is also only 26, so if he shows out this year and has a decent progression, he could be looking at a bit bigger of a FA payday in 2024.

OG Ronald King - agreed to terms from street FA

King initially announced his availability to sign with an NFL team heading into 2022, but since he was already playing for a semipro team based out of Detroit, most pro teams passed on the Notre Dame alum due to his limited availability in the early 2022 offseason. King, a 6'5", 279 menace who has dominated the amateur leagues since his college graduation, is also just 26 like Kozel, and is looking to score a future NFL payday. While King hasn't officially inked his deal yet, the only hang up is one final semipro game for him to play, as he has Detroit in the midst of a national championship. 

DT Marvin Scott - agreed to terms from Carolina 

Scott didn't get on the field for one snap in 2022 despite the Panthers very raw roster. He doesn't quite have an intimidating frame at just 6'2", 278, but he has agreed to terms on a 2-year deal. With the Vikings losing Ronald Dixon to FA, Scott comes in as likely one of many looking to crack the Vikings DT rotation. 

ILB Narinder Beckmann - signed from Atlanta

Beckmann didn't see the field at all for the Falcons, but he also was buried on the Falcons DC behind Todd Bunch and Bryan Thompson. The Vikings notably run just a 2-linebacker defense most of the time, and with their loss of Naccarato, they turned to Beckmann and now-Ravens-signee Ronald Burgeron in hopes to fill a starting position. Minnesota was desperately searching for a starting caliber linebacker to pair with OLB Jeffery Kersting, and with Beckmann signing for two seasons, its certainly an upgrade over what they had last year. 

CB Ralph Cornelius - signed from Cincinnati

Cornelius was a presence on special teams for the Bengals last year, recording 9 tackles. He recorded 20 defensive tackles as well, totaling 834 snaps. With the Vikings focusing heavily on their Man scheme, Cornelius signs to compete with Elias Oliva for the nickel/dime role. Even more important, the Vikings pair another Ball Hawk with elite Marcos Maldonado, meaning it won't be safe for teams to focus on feeding their WRs 2+3 to avoid the NFL's leading interceptor. 

SS Christopher Chapman - agreed to terms from Tampa Bay

With Anthony Ahmed dealt to Kansas City, the Vikings needed a depth safety. Chapman played primarily specials in west central Florida, with 4 ST tackles over 483 snaps. 

Re-Signings

CB Paul Wade

Wade was the Vikings CB2 last year, playing all 1208 defensive snaps, and recording 63 tackles, 2 TFL, with 2 INTs. There was initial concern that Wade would be headed to greener pastures with his camp and the Vikings FO being further apart on terms prior to FA, but once free agency kicked off, Wade tested the market, and then cut off everyone but Minnesota, who had made him an early offer to return. 

What's Next?

The Vikings head into next week's 2023 Draft with fourteen selections, a year after moving up with Seattle and limiting the 2022 Draft class. Stay tuned for future media introducing the remainder of the new faces of the Vikings.

[Sarge]

Minnesota made a lot of shrewd moves and look to be a formidable out. Having that much draft equity is going to be a huge boon for the team.