Despite Multiple Defensive Holes, Vikings Must Address Key Offensive Spots In 2023 Draft

The Minnesota Vikings were a 13-4 team that won the NFC North with relative ease. Yes, there were significant problems on defense that led to the team’s demise in the Wild Card loss to the mediocre New York Giants, but the Vikings had one of the best offenses in the NFL, and that unit appeared to be at its best in the fourth quarter of most games last season.

This allowed head coach Kevin O’Connell’s team to come through at the most important moments and win games.

Most of the attention during the offseason has gone to the defense and that makes sense. Start with the decision to hire Brian Flores as defensive coordinator and implement an aggressive defense. Adding players like Marcus Davenport, Byron Murphy and Dean Lowry are positive moves. The Vikings will make additional moves during the NFL Draft next month.

But what about the offensive skill positions? Can they perform as well as they did in 2022? Will there be a regression or can those areas improve in 2023?

Start with Kirk Cousins, whom the Vikings are not committing to beyond the upcoming season. It seems like Cousins is neither worried nor offended by this development. Cousins has had fine statistical seasons every year he has been in a Vikings uniform, but his performance against top opponents or in prime time games regularly fell short of expectations prior to last season.

His ability to come through when the game was on the line represented a significant improvement over previous years. Head coach Kevin O’Connell’s ability to build a positive environment in the lockerroom and confidence in his players has helped Cousins dramatically. A season with a completion percentage of 65 percent, 30-plus touchdowns and 8 interceptions or fewer is within reach.

Cousins has the top receiver in the league in Justin Jefferson. Brilliant hands, top-end speed, exceptional leaping ability and superior pattern running have allowed him to rise to the top of the class. Jefferson does not have to take a back seat to any NFL receiver.

“He’ll always be our No. 1,” O’Connell said. “He’ll always be our guy we’re trying to build a pass game around with complementary players who are major focal points of our offense.”

Adam Thielen is gone after learning that he no longer fit in with the team’s plans. He signed a free-agent contract with the Carolina Panthers, and the Vikings seemingly need a new No. 2 receiver. At least in theory.

But in reality, they have a sensational “No. 2” guy in tight end T.J. Hockenson. He fit in perfectly with Cousins and the offense last season, and No. 3 receiver K.J. Osborn did just enough to become a legitimate threat for the new No. 2 wideout position. Nevertheless, it seems likely that the Vikings will draft at least one wideout in April.

The running game may see some changes in 2023. The Vikings have re-upped Alexander Mattison, who very likely has been the best backup running back in the NFL. A potential trade of Dalvin Cook is a distinct possibility on or around Draft Day.

Cook has been a dynamic runner and receiver for years but there was a downturn last year. He could bounce back to top form next season, but research shows that a 28-year-old running back heading into his seventh season is not likely to return to the top form he had in his best seasons. Cook rushed for 1,173 yards and 4.4 yards per carry last year, and while those are good-to-very-good numbers, they don’t compare to the 2020 season when he ran for 1,557 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry.

If the Vikings do trade him – don’t be surprised if it’s to Buffalo where he can partner with his brother James Cook – look for Mattison to get a promotion.

A trade of Cook could bring a player and multiple draft choices, and one of those picks almost certainly would be used to bring in a quality running back.

The Vikings have known since the middle of last season that the bulk of their offseason work had to do with building a competent defense. But the offense cannot be ignored if the Vikings are going to continue to be productive in that area.