Freethinker
Hall of Famer
At CF, we've expected a decline with the new black GM and coach. It wasn't drastic last year but will it move that way this year? Let's check the roster composition to find out:
QB: Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens
T: Brian O’Neill, David Quessenbery
G: Ezra Cleveland, Blake Brandel
C: Garrett Bradbury, Austin Schlottmann
TE: TJ Hockenson, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse
NT: Harrison Phillips
DE: Dean Lowry
SS: Harrison Smith
Number of White starters: 8
Total Number of Whites on 53 man roster: 17
Grade: D+
P: Ryan Wright
PK: Greg Joseph
LS: Andrew DePaola
IR: James Lynch (DL), Chris Reed (G/C)
Practice squad: Henry Byrd (OL), Thayer Thomas (WR), Nick Vigil (LB)
The 2023 Vikings actually increased by 1 White starter and overall total! If Lynch comes of IR, I assume they'll bump to 18 Whites in total.
Kirk Cousins is a QB that is seemingly underrated every year. The only criticism that could be thrown at him is that he hasn't been able to win the big playoff game. Fair but that is still better than 90% of the other QBs that struggle to even lead their team to a winning record consistently. Since becoming a full time starter in 2015, Cousins has only had 1 season where he did not top 4,000 yards passing. His QB rating is also always in the 90s or 100s. He's been great. After 2 games he's averaging 354 yards per game.
The o-line is 3/5 White.
TE is 3/4ths White, with all pro caliber TJ Hockenson leading the way. He just got a nice new contract making him the highest paid TE in the league. Hopefully that motivates him to get even better. 101 yards with 2 TDs through the 1st couple games is a good start. I'm hoping he achieves his 1st thousand yard season as he came just short last year with 914.
On defense the team starts the “Harrisons,” nose tackle Phillips and all-pro strong safety Smith. Phillips has invented a new genre, the White (nose)Tackling Machine. He's already up to 21 total tackles after racking up a very respectable 58 last year. Dean Lowry comes over from the rival Packers and provides a stout 3-4 defensive end. James Lynch, who was a dominating tackle at Baylor, still has yet to crack the starting lineup as a tackle or end. He needs to get himself healthy.
The practice squad continues the Viking tradition of White receivers with former NC State standout Thayer Thomas. With Thielen departing, he's the only shot at keeping that recent history going. Nick Virgil would be a better inside LB than either guy on the roster right now.
Though maybe not as good a choice as the Lions in the NFC North, they are much preferred to the Bears or Packers. I hope they can manage a playoff spot again.
QB: Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens
T: Brian O’Neill, David Quessenbery
G: Ezra Cleveland, Blake Brandel
C: Garrett Bradbury, Austin Schlottmann
TE: TJ Hockenson, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse
NT: Harrison Phillips
DE: Dean Lowry
SS: Harrison Smith
Number of White starters: 8
Total Number of Whites on 53 man roster: 17
Grade: D+
P: Ryan Wright
PK: Greg Joseph
LS: Andrew DePaola
IR: James Lynch (DL), Chris Reed (G/C)
Practice squad: Henry Byrd (OL), Thayer Thomas (WR), Nick Vigil (LB)
The 2023 Vikings actually increased by 1 White starter and overall total! If Lynch comes of IR, I assume they'll bump to 18 Whites in total.
Kirk Cousins is a QB that is seemingly underrated every year. The only criticism that could be thrown at him is that he hasn't been able to win the big playoff game. Fair but that is still better than 90% of the other QBs that struggle to even lead their team to a winning record consistently. Since becoming a full time starter in 2015, Cousins has only had 1 season where he did not top 4,000 yards passing. His QB rating is also always in the 90s or 100s. He's been great. After 2 games he's averaging 354 yards per game.
The o-line is 3/5 White.
TE is 3/4ths White, with all pro caliber TJ Hockenson leading the way. He just got a nice new contract making him the highest paid TE in the league. Hopefully that motivates him to get even better. 101 yards with 2 TDs through the 1st couple games is a good start. I'm hoping he achieves his 1st thousand yard season as he came just short last year with 914.
On defense the team starts the “Harrisons,” nose tackle Phillips and all-pro strong safety Smith. Phillips has invented a new genre, the White (nose)Tackling Machine. He's already up to 21 total tackles after racking up a very respectable 58 last year. Dean Lowry comes over from the rival Packers and provides a stout 3-4 defensive end. James Lynch, who was a dominating tackle at Baylor, still has yet to crack the starting lineup as a tackle or end. He needs to get himself healthy.
The practice squad continues the Viking tradition of White receivers with former NC State standout Thayer Thomas. With Thielen departing, he's the only shot at keeping that recent history going. Nick Virgil would be a better inside LB than either guy on the roster right now.
Though maybe not as good a choice as the Lions in the NFC North, they are much preferred to the Bears or Packers. I hope they can manage a playoff spot again.
