Biggest Need The Vikings Must Address In The 2022 NFL Offseason

The Vikings have quite a few needs to address in the offseason but their biggest need is an offensive line. A healthy and improved O-line will help them control games, which they failed to do this past season

The “nfl 2022 ” is the biggest need that the Vikings must address in the upcoming offseason. The team has a lot of work to do, and the offseason will be an important time for them.

The Minnesota Vikings might be in for a turbulent offseason in the coming months after sealing a losing season for the second consecutive year.

The Vikings missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, despite being in contention for a wild card place in the NFC for most of the season. The Vikings just did not have much going for them during the season, with to injuries on offense and a slew of underachievers on defense, which resulted in the resignation of veteran head coach Mike Zimmer.

Kevin O’Connell, the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, is expected to take over as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings Overall, O’Connell’s first season in Minnesota may not see much of a change on offense, as the team’s biggest offensive threats, Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson, are under contract until 2022. On defense, though, this may not be the case.

The Vikings’ starting lineup in Week 1 of the 2022 season is undoubtedly a work in progress. They recently finished a season in which they conceded 25.1 points per game and struggled to come away with vital red zone saves on a game-by-game basis.

The Vikings are well-positioned to address many defensive spots in the coming offseason, and they must focus on bolstering this unit.

The Vikings’ most pressing priority this summer is to solve

The Vikings must work on improving their cornerback corps in order to have a shot to enter the playoffs in 2022.

It was just a few years ago that the Vikings’ secondary was led by a one-two punch of Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes. For one thing, they each played at least 90 percent of the defensive snaps during the Vikings’ 2017 season, when they were first in points allowed per game with a 15.8 average.

Four years later, the Vikings have strengthened one of the league’s least effective secondary teams. With a 252.9 average, they placed 28th in passing yards allowed per game during the 2021 regular season.

During the previous season, the Vikings experienced a lot of turnover at cornerback. Patrick Peterson, a veteran defensive back, ended up being the only cornerback on the team to play at least 70% of the time, allowing a 78.7 passer rating in 13 games.

Vikings defensive coordinators Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer leaned on veteran CB Bashaud Breeland throughout the season. Breeland, on the other hand, had a forgettable season, allowing seven passing touchdowns despite serving as the closest defender in coverage and was dismissed in December after a verbal fight with players and coaches during a practice session.

Mackenzie Alexander and second-year prospect Cameron Dantzler were the only cornerbacks to play at least 50 percent of defensive snaps this season, joining Peterson. Alexander had his fair share of issues in coverage, allowing a team-high 119.2 passer rating. Dantzler, on the other hand, showed some progress during the season, defending 323 routes and allowing a 54.7 completion percentage in coverage.

As of now, Dantzler and Kris Boyd are the only cornerbacks on the roster from last season that are expected to return for the 2022 season. In March, both Patterson and Alexander will be unrestricted free agents

The Vikings will have a lot of alternatives for retooling their cornerback depth across the board. From Stephon Gilmore to Joe Haden, the 2017 free agency class is expected to contain a slew of seasoned cornerbacks. Still, the Vikings are projected to be $14 million or more over the salary limit this season, and the front management may choose to free up cap room to address other needs.

The forthcoming 2022 NFL draft on the other hand, will include numerous diverse, game-changing players that have the potential to ignite the Vikings secondary. Even if the Vikings choose to shore up another position with their No. 12 overall choice in the draft, a prospect like former Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon, with his quickness and ability to take on matchups in the slot, may enhance their depth at the position.

The Vikings are in for a franchise-altering offseason, with numerous new faces in their secondary unit.