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Could Vikings Target ‘One of Us’ in Draft’s First Round?

Posted on April 10, 2025April 18, 2025 by David Shama

Updated April 18, 2025

Enjoy a Thursday notes column:

Will the Vikings take “one of us” next Thursday with the 24^th selection of the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft from Green Bay?

Well, Nick Baumgardner, with his mock draft this week for The Athletic, thinks the Vikings will go for a parochial pick. He predicts Minnesota will choose Grey Zabel, a center-guard prospect from North Dakota State whose hometown is Pierre, South Dakota. He was an All-American left tackle for the FCS champs, but Baumgardner said the 6-6, 305-pound athlete is better suited to the interior line.

Ryan Wilson from CBS Sports has the Vikings opting for East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in his April 8 mock draft. Other mock draft sites believe the Vikings will trade the No. 24 pick to accumulate more draft choices than the four they now have.

Chad Reuter in his April 4 mock for NFL.com has the Vikings receiving third and fourth round selections from the Chiefs, while giving up their first and sixth round picks. And Reuter has the Chiefs selecting Gopher offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery with that first rounder. The Vikings, of course, could really go home region in the first round by taking Ersery.

The Vikings are short on draft slots right now, owning four selections currently in the first, third, fifth and sixth rounds. That status not only prompts speculation about trading the first rounder for more picks, but also that Minnesota could emphasize bringing in a lot of free agents just out of college.

The Gophers had a program record six players invited to the NFL Combine earlier this year. Ersery is all but certain to be drafted in the early rounds. He projects eventually as an NFL starter.

The other five, at worst, are almost assured of at least free agent tryouts. Quarterback Max Brosmer, defensive lineman Jay Joyner, linebacker Cody Lindenberg and cornerback Justin Walley may have a more realistic chance of being selected in the seven round draft than wide receiver Daniel Jackson.

Jackson has the lowest cumulative score from NFL.com/prospects among the University of Minnesota prospects. He has route running and ball catching skills, but his ability to get open against NFL defenders is a concern and so is his lack of speed.

Brosmer, lacking a big arm and mobility, might not hear his name during the April 17-19 draft either. But his confidence, high football IQ and quick release could intrigue a club looking for a developmental quarterback willing to take on any role for multiple seasons.

New Gophers assistant men’s basketball coaches Brian Cooley and Armon Gates will earn $300,000 and $400,000 respectively, per a Discovery request made to the University of Minnesota by Sports Headliners. Dave Thorson, the holdover assistant from coach Ben Johnson’s staff, will remain at $341,423.

The Timberwolves, despite losing to the Bucks Tuesday night, are fortunate to have two of their last three regular season games against softies as they compete to avoid the Western Conference play-in-tournament. After tonight’s game in Memphis against the Grizzlies the Wolves finish the regular season at home against the Nets, with a 26-53 record, and the Jazz, 17-63. Both franchises are presumably more interested in positioning to win the NBA Draft lottery and select Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg.

The hitting and pitching have been spotty, and there’s no excitement about the 4-8 Twins. But while the verdict by many fans may already be in on what kind of season the Twins will have, franchise Hall of Fame manager Tom Kelly used to say a team can’t be fairly judged until 50 games.

The Twins try for a win this afternoon in Kansas City and a four-game series split with the Royals. Minnesota has won 195 games in Kauffman Stadium, the most in any road ballpark.

Murray’s Restaurant owner Tim Murray is a passionate baseball fan who attended his 45^th consecutive Twins home opener last week.

Happy birthday next week to Jim Dutcher who coached the Golden Gophers to the Big Ten championship in 1982. Dutch turns 92 on April 17 and is healthy. He recently renewed his driver’s license and eats what he wants.

Dutch told Sports Headliners he does have arthritic knees and uses a walker to help his mobility and prevent a fall. His brother Norman is 96 and lives in Alpena, Michigan.

Former Gophers football head coach Glen Mason turned 75 yesterday.

Minnesotans are naïve if they think Dallas might trade its No. 1 draft spot to the Lynx who then could grab hometown hero Paige Bueckers. The WNBA Draft is Monday with the Wings all but certain to take Bueckers, the former Hopkins High School legend. But don’t rule out Bueckers eventually coming home via trade or free agency.

Bueckers was coached at Hopkins by Brian Cosgriff who was asked if there is another Bueckers on the horizon in Minnesota. “You don’t know about Maddyn Greenway (prep senior next season). I mean she’s doing some spectacular things here. Won four state championships. Scored over 4,000 points. She was very, very good this year. I look for Maddyn to be an amazing college player (at Kentucky) as well.”

The Lynx, BTW, had little to no financial worth in their early years after starting as a expansion franchise in 1998, but a fair estimate now is the club is worth $80 million to $100.

The Minnesota Minute Men Amateur Athletic Foundation has awarded its 2025 Scholarship to Sophia Anderson of Liberty Classical Academy in White Bear Lake. She captained her varsity track and field, and basketball teams, and also earned a state championship and a fourth-place finish nationally with USA Powerlifting. A Magna Cum Laude student, she will attend Dallas Baptist University with a biology major and compete in track and field.

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Vikings Defense Prepared to give Opponents ‘Hell’ in 2025

Posted on March 31, 2025March 31, 2025 by David Shama

The Vikings defense was among the most respected in the NFL last season and in this offseason the front office made headline personnel additions like defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Can the 2025 unit be the equal of any in the NFL?

“Absolutely,” said Viking linebacker Blake Cashman. “You know, I thought that way last year, too. I think you put us up with the best and you know we’re going to give the opponent hell.

“You know, I think by the end of the (2025) year I believe that our numbers, our stats, whatever—all that data—will be up there as a top defense.”

Directed by second-year defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Vikings last season utilized a blitzing and confusion causing scheme that excelled on the field and in NFL statistics. The defense gave up a fifth lowest 19.5 points per game and second lowest 93.4 yards rushing. Minnesota allowed a passer rating by opponents of 82.4, second best in the NFL to the Lions.

Those stats were pointed out by Rob Kleifield at Vikings.com earlier this year. He also wrote the defense was outstanding on fourth downs allowing a league-best conversion percentage of 37.1. The defense was clutch on third down conversions, too, allowing a 35.6 percentage, fourth best in the NFL.

Asked about his anticipation of the 2025 defense, Cashman said, “I am really excited about it. We’ve made really great decisions and we’re going to be a loaded team with a lot of talent. So now the question is: Can we put it all together and have success? Which I think we will do… .We have the right people in the building.”

Cashman, the Eden Prairie and Golden Gopher alum, was outstanding for the Vikings last season after signing as a free agent in the offseason. The 6-1, 235-pound Cashman had career highs in tackles (102), sacks (4.5) and passes defended (7). Two of the team’s three regular season losses came when Cashman couldn’t play because of his turf toe injury.

Cashman’s career was slow to develop with the Jets from 2019-2021, but he earned considerably more playing time in two seasons with the Texans in 2022 and 2023. After the 2023 season Pro Football Focus labeled him as a “secret super star” and because of his speed and explosive play referred to him as “a bat out of hell.” PFF gave him a grade of 83.7, fifth best among NFL linebackers.

Cashman, who should have been chosen as a Pro Bowl player after the 2024 season, turns 29 in May and wants to both improve and maintain his standard of performance in Flores’ intense pressure defense.

“…A focus for me is working on my hands and my pass rush moves. That’s something that is an art, honestly. You ask guys that rush the passer like (linebacker teammate) Jonathan Greenard, (and) they talk about it being an art. So, that’s going to be…a big focus for me.

“Honestly, just continuing to stay very fast and explosive. Obviously, as you continue to get older those things can diminish. But I still feel like I am at a really great spot and that’s just something you need to work (on) really hard and maintain every year because I feel like, for me and how I play, that’s one of my advantages.”

Cashman played on state championship teams at Eden Prairie including a 13-0 club his senior year. He was a walk-on safety at Minnesota under former head coach Jerry Kill. Then one day at practice Kill approached him and said: “Son, I am going to make you a linebacker.”

Later awarded a scholarship by head coach P.J. Fleck, Cashman was named second team All-Big Ten by the media his senior season of 2018. He was drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the NFL Draft in 2019.

Asked what player over his six-year pro career was most frustrating to play against, Cashman didn’t hesitate in naming quarterback immortal Tom Brady. He said Brady stood over the line of scrimmage and not only knew what kind of blitz was coming but also from where.

Cashman remembers a Jets coach telling him in jest that Brady’s preparation and knowledge of an opponent was so thorough he knew on Tuesday what kind of “underwear” you wore.

Worth Noting

Figure the Minneapolis-St. Paul TV market will have higher ratings than a lot of big city areas tonight when Hopkins native Paige Bueckers leads her Connecticut team against USC in an Elite Eight matchup from Spokane starting about 8 p.m. on ESPN. Bueckers, the 23-year-old Hopkins alum, is closing out a college career that ranks with the best in history for women’s basketball. The do-it-all 6-foot guard scored a career high 40 points in Saturday’s NCAA Tournament win over Oklahoma.

A Big Ten men’s basketball team hasn’t won the NCAA title since 2000. This year’s teams are all from the South: Auburn, Duke, Florida and Houston. Even with an expanded league to 18 members, the Big Ten is shut out.

Ron Stolski said the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s Tackle Cancer initiative has raised about $4.1 million over 13 years in support of the state’s cancer efforts. The executive director of the MFCA also said various communities have success stories in raising funds including Randolph, Minnesota, with a population of about 500, generating $70,000 last year.

Steve Hamilton of Elk River has been named the MFCA’s 2024 Coach of the Year. The Elks had a 12-1 record and won the Class 5A State championship last fall. The 2024 Class 5A State championship was his third as a head coach.

The MFCA held its annual clinic last week with registrations at about 1,500 and 58 vendors participating. Speakers came from not only Minnesota but places like Detroit, Georgia and Texas.

Connor Wilkie is the new head football coach at Holy Family replacing Dan O’Brien, the former Gopher assistant coach who resigned in January for personal reasons. Hall of Fame coaches Jeff Ferguson and Dave Nelson will continue on staff to assist Wilkie who comes from Augsburg where he was an assistant.

Among the biggest names in Wild history until the arrival of Kirill Kaprizov was Marian Gaborik. Wild fans have to hope history doesn’t repeat itself with Kaprizov leaving the team like Gaborik did in 2009.

Gaborik, a star right wing, turned down a long term Wild contract before the 2008-2009 season. Known as injury prone, Gaborik was rolling the dice on his financial security and sure enough he was only able to play in 17 games that season because of lower body injuries. The Wild’s interest cooled and in the 2009 offseason Gaborik, then 27, moved on to the Rangers.

Kaprizov, Minnesota’s star left wing, hasn’t played in a game since January 26 since surgery for a lower body injury. He probably won’t be back on the ice until close to playoff time. This summer Kaprizov will be eligible for a contract extension, although he has a five-year deal that runs through 2025-2026.

Kaprizov, 27, could be smart to sign a lucrative deal rather than risking lower market value if his 2025-2026 season goes haywire. Otherwise, Kaprizov and his representatives might be savvy to investigate a Lloyd’s of London policy protecting him financially if he decides to turn down the Wild this summer.

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Potential Jordan Addison Suspension Hangs Over Vikings

Posted on March 21, 2025March 21, 2025 by David Shama

There is a possibility the NFL will suspend star wide receiver Jordan Addison for multiple games during the 2025 season. The impact on the outcome of those games could be significant for a team with Super Bowl ambitions.

Addison was arrested last July by the California Highway Patrol on suspicion of driving under the influence. His car was reportedly found blocking traffic on I-105 near Los Angeles International Airport while he was asleep in the driver’s seat.

The NFL is waiting for the legal process to proceed before issuing a possible sanction that could be a three-game suspension. Jordan has pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges stemming from his arrest.

Fox 9 reported last week Jordan had a pre-trial hearing on March 12 in Los Angeles County Superior Court and that a pre-trial conference date is set for April 10. When the legal process concludes the NFL will decide if Addison has violated the league substance abuse policy.

This isn’t Addison’s first road incident as a Viking. In 2023 he was cited for speeding and reckless driving at 140 MPH on Interstate 94 in St. Paul. He later pled guilty to a misdemeanor speeding charge, $686 fine and had his license suspended for six months.

In two seasons Addison has proven his high value to an offense that is the envy of many rival teams. He’s an exceptional complement to superstar wide receiver and teammate Justin Jefferson.

Addison has been both durable and productive. He has played in 32 of 34 regular season games. He has 1,786 career receiving yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 13.4 yards per reception.

Jordan Addison image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Addison can make a difficult catch, a long reception or a clutch catch setting up an important drive or a winning score in the end zone. His absence next fall as the offense’s No. 2 receiving threat could impact the outcome of games and playoff seeding for Minnesota.

None of this is lost on the Vikings front office. Expect the Vikings to be proactive in addressing their wide receiver room which has already lost Trent Sherfield and could lose another free agent WR from last season in Brandon Powell.

Jalen Nailor, the team’s No. 3 WR option last season, is back after an okay 2024 and is on the last year of his rookie contract. And this week they signed former Purdue receiver Rondale Moore as a free agent. He missed all of last season with the Falcons because of a knee injury but previously played three seasons with the Cardinals where he showed game-breaking speed as a receiver and runner. If healthy he could add explosiveness to the Minnesota offense, including as a punt and kickoff returner.

The Vikings could still be shopping for wide receivers. Targets drawing media speculation include free agents Amari Cooper and Tyler Lockett. Superstar Tyreek Hill has been upset with the Dolphins in the past and it’s possible the Vikings might figure out a way to acquire him.

With the No. 24 selection in the first round, the Vikings could opt for a wide receiver having already filled needs in the offensive and defensive lines with free agent signings. Two standouts who might be available at No. 24 are Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State and Luther Burden III of Missouri.

Worth Noting

Carter Coughlin, the former football standout for Eden Prairie High School and the Golden Gophers, has five years of pro experience at linebacker and special teams for the NFL Giants but is now a free agent. Coughlin and former Baylor All-American volleyball player Yossi Pressley married last June.

New Gophers defensive coordinator Danny Collins carries a ticket stub from a Northwestern-Notre Dame football game he attended in South Bend when he was three years old to remind him of the motivation needed to be a college coach. Collins is referring to his unit as the “H.A.V. O.C. Defense.” Means how, attack, violence, one (togetherness), compete.

The Gophers, 8-5 last year, began spring practice Thursday with head coach P.J. Fleck praising the intelligence of the team he’s observed over the winter months. Tight end Jameson Geers, a senior, called this the “most connected” team he has seen.

Fleck indicated 2024 freshman All-American safety Koi Perich will not only figure again in the return game but be used on offense. Last season he was the team’s primary punt and kickoff returner, with minimal plays on offense. Athletically gifted and instinctual, Perich could produce big plays on offense as a receiver, runner or even a surprise passer.

Fleck believes his 2024 quarterback Max Brosmer is opening the eyes of pro evaluators, commenting that the Georgia native has “solidified himself” as a draft pick who is moving up the draft board.

If Niko Medved is named as the new men’s head basketball coach at the U, it will be interesting to see if players from his Colorado State roster follow him to Dinkytown. Potential transfers could include two Minnesota natives on the Rams roster who are freshmen, Kyle Jorgensen, a 6-9 forward from Washburn, and Jon Mekonnen, 6-8 forward from Eastview.

Jorgensen has played in 32 games, starting four and averages 4.3 points. Mekonnen hasn’t played for the Rams who today have their NCAA Tournament opener against Memphis in Seattle. Minneapolis game time is 1 p.m. and TBS has the telecast.

Condolences to family and friends of former Gophers and Edina High School football player Paul Wright who passed away from cancer March 16. Paul lettered at Minnesota from 1970-72.

The Minnesota Football Coaches Association Clinic is coming up March 27-29 and organizers want to get out the word on these two correct links regarding the schedule and academy: 2025 MFCA Clinic Schedule; 2025 MFCA Clinic Schedule

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