What about Oliver - a massive tight end who the Vikings paid handsomely in free agency - and first-round wide receiver Jordan Addison? SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 10: Jordan Addison #3 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball during the second quarter of the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Augin Seattle, Washington. We know what Cousins, Justin Jefferson and T.J. That said, they should improve upon an impressive first season under head coach Kevin O'Connell.Ĭousins, entering his sixth season with the Vikings, will play under the same offensive coordinator in back-to-back seasons for the first time in Minnesota. Minnesota's offense this year may look a little different without Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen. If they get behind the chains this Sunday, Vea and co will be all over Cousins. They brought in tight end Josh Oliver to help with that. The Vikings need the ground attack to improve drastically. Defenses were ready and Cousins took a beating because of it. In second or third and long, they had to try and move it through the air. Minnesota had the highest percentage of their runs go for zero or negative yards of any team. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is sacked by Green Bay Packers linebacker Justin Hollins (47) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. They've taken a lineman with their top picks in the last two drafts.Ĭousins was on the ground so much in 2022 because the Vikings were terrible running the football on first down. Rookies are always question marks, but it's clear Tampa Bay wants to continue to add pieces to their defensive line. The Bucs also used their first-round pick this year on lineman Calijah Kancey from Pittsburgh. He was the 12th overall pick in 2018 and can wreak havoc on the interior. The challenge this week will be containing Bucs defensive tackle Vita Vea. Minnesota returns all five offensive linemen from last season. We know both the tackles - Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill - are high-level players.Ĭousins was knocked down 84 times last season, by far the most in the league. The question mark offensively for the Vikings: Will Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram and Ezra Cleveland be able to keep Cousins upright more often than in 2022? Bank Stadium on Novemin Minneapolis, Minnesota.īucs' defensive line versus Vikings' offensive line #23 of the Minnesota Vikings stands between plays in the fourth quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 20: Andrew Booth Jr. Facing a team with a below-average offense but two high-level receivers, new defensive coordinator Brian Flores will see if his secondary is up for the challenge. It's the perfect test for Minnesota's defense. However, the Bucs team averaged only 18 points per game. The 2022 second-round pick out of Clemson had nagging injuries and did not climb up the depth chart as many predicted.īucs' receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will test the Vikings' secondary. Let's see if he can stay on the field and keep improving in coverage.Īndrew Booth only played in two games last year. A fourth-round pick in 2022, Evans only appeared in six games. Behind him, there are plenty of questions.Īkayleb Evans looked like a promising youngster, but multiple concussions sidelined him last year. All Rights Reserved.Newcomer Byron Murphy is a proven commodity.
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