Coaching
Mike Zimmer will run the Vikings franchise for the seventh year. Minnesota has 10 victories or more in three of his last six seasons. He has a career 64-47-1 record with three playoff appearances (2-3). In six seasons prior to his Vikings HC tenure, Zimmer was the Bengals defensive coordinator. He has 21 years of coaching experience while helping the Cowboys win the Super Bowl in 1995.
Minnesota promoted Klint Kubiak from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. He takes over for his father (Gary Kubiak), who retired in the offseason. The younger Kubiak starts the year at age 34 with seven years of experience with the Vikings.
In 2020, the Vikings dipped to 11th in points scored (430) despite moving to fourth in offensive yards.
Minnesota will use Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer to run their defense again in 2021. Patterson is in charge of the defensive line, and Zimmer will handle the linebackers. Both coaches ran the same part of the defense since 2014.
Some significant changes on defense led to a sharp decline in the rankings in points allowed (475 – 29th) and yards allowed (27th – 14th in 2019). They allowed 172 points more than the previous season.
Free Agency
All of Minnesota’s free agent moves came on defense. They revamped their secondary by signing CB Patrick Peterson, S Xavier Woods, CB Mackensie Alexander, and CB Bashaud Breeland.
Peterson has been a top player since being drafted in the first round in 2011. His play slipped in 2020, leading to many big plays and struggles with touchdowns allowed.
Woods picked up 149 combined tackles over the past two seasons, but his run defense faded in 2020 with more mistakes in touchdowns allowed.
Alexander jumped to the Bengals’ defense after spending his first four years with Minnesota. He likes to keep receivers in front of him while allowing short yards per catch out of the slot with minimal damage in touchdowns allowed. The Vikings will use him off the bench in 2021.
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Breeland helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl in 2019 with his risk/reward play in coverage. Last year, he allowed a higher catch rate, leading to shorter yards per catch and more damage in touchdowns allowed.
Minnesota lost S Anthony Harris and LB Eric Wilson to the Eagles.
Minnesota also added DT Dalvin Tomlinson. He played well over his career against the run while delivering 49 tackles and 3.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons.
Draft
T Christian Darrisaw
Darrisaw's game projects to have a high ceiling, but he has to decide if he wants to be an elite player. His movements and quickness create a winning edge with vision to cover a significant portion of the field. The only thing holding him back is motivation. Minnesota expects him to have a long career for them at left tackle.
QB Kellen Mond
Mond has the foundation to run the ball and throw well on the move. His challenge comes from his poor accuracy to the sidelines and questionable arm strength in the deep passing game. The Vikings hope he can develop into a productive game manager.
LB Chazz Surratt
Surratt has limited experience playing linebacker, but he brings a warrior feel to the game. His biggest challenge will be to overcome his lack of size (6’2” and 230 lbs.) while also needing to get stronger. Surratt has shown a high work ethic, pointing high upside once he improves his vision and decision-making in traffic.
G Wyatt Davis
Davis wants to beat his man to the punch after the snap, but his range is limited. He’ll handle power rushers in pass protection while getting caught up with his reads and movements when facing moving targets in traffic and open space.
DE Patrick Jones
Jones spent plenty of time in the backfield in college, creating losses and sacks. His motor doesn’t always fire and struggles to find his way in run support. He tackles well with the presence to win on the edge. Jones needs to add more power to earn more playing time.
RB Kene Nwangwu
Nwangwu gets a knock for lack of experience with the ball in his hands, but he may still have plenty of room for growth. He needs to feel holes open while knowing when to hit the gas to win in tight quarters. His speed makes him an interesting developmental project.
CB Camryn Byrum
Byrum plays at a high level with the tools to excel at many levels. Unfortunately, his speed can’t match the top wide receivers in the game. In the red zone, his press coverage has a better window to slow down receivers. Byrum is a leader with a willingness in run support.
DE Janarius Robinson
He looks the part of an upside pass rusher with tools that cause problems for blocking schemes. His vision and tackling rank below par with questions about his desire on some plays.
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Smith-Marsette needs to add bulk if he has any chance of earning wide receiver snaps at the next level. He brings open field running and long speed that plays well in the return game. Smith-Marsette lacks in his route running with questions about his hands.
TE Zach Davidson
Davidson has an underdeveloped body while needing to get stronger. His route running, hands, and quickness project well, but the Vikings won’t get much out of him for a couple of seasons.
DT Jaylen Twyman
Twyman brings a below-par base, but he does play with strength. His hands create early wins in the pass rush. Twyman puts up a standing fight in the run game that gets washed out by the big bodies. He was shot four times this offseason in a tragic assault. He is expected to make a full recovery.
