Top edge rusher falls to Vikings in latest 33rd team mock draft

With the uncertainty on defense, the Vikings fortified the edge rusher position in the latest 33rd Team mock draft

The Minnesota Vikings are currently facing a challenging situation as they try to fill gaps on their roster, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. With limited cap space available, the team needs to make strategic moves in order to improve its competitiveness and address its weaknesses.

On Monday, the Scouting Department of the 33rd Team released a mock draft and helped the Vikings out by selecting Clemson edge Myles Murphy.

“The Minnesota Vikings pass rushers are starting to age, so they pick a young, talented one in Myles Murphy. Murphy would help new defensive coordinator Brian Flores improve a defense that was suspect vs. the pass last season.”

Murphy is an electric pass rusher with the quickness and physicality to get to the quarterback, which is something this Vikings defense desperately needs. With Flores as the new defensive coordinator, he would be able to tap into Murphy’s relentless motor and hopefully develop him into a star in the league. Murphy is highly ranked, so getting him at 23 would be a steal for the Vikings.

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The 33rd Team sends Vikings Alabama defender in 2023 NFL mock draft

Another mock draft has the Vikings taking the Alabama cornerback/safety

The process of how everyone thinks about the Minnesota Vikings is fascinating. It’s interesting how each analyst has the Vikings viewing things differently, especially when it comes to team needs.

The 33rd Team’s scouting department is one of those that has an interesting view on what the Vikings should do in the first round on the NFL draft. They have the Vikings taking Alabama cornerback/safety Brian Branch. Here is what they had to say about the pick.

“The Vikings went secondary heavy in the draft last year, but it didn’t pay off for the 31st-ranked passing defense. Branch is a smart and versatile defense back who they will find a way to get on the field.”

I think they are missing the fact that the three secondary players that the Vikings drafted were all on injured reserve for most of the season which prevented them from playing. Adding Branch, who can play just about anywhere on the back end, and when Nick Saban trusts you, that means something.

Former NFL executives Mike Tannenbaum, Joe Banner evaluate Chiefs’ season

Our @EdEastonJr asked @The33rdTeamFB’s @RealTannenbaum and @JoeBanner13 to share their thoughts on the #Chiefs’ season so far.

The decisions made in the front offices of every team in the NFL have direct effects on the product on the field. The Kansas City Chiefs’ success on the field during the 2022 NFL season has a direct correlation with some of the decisions made this past offseason.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently sat down with former NFL executives Mike Tannenbaum and Joe Banner to get their thoughts on the Chiefs this season. The executives spoke on behalf of The 33rd Team and assessed Andy Reid and Brett Veach’s most recent work and how it has led to consistent success.

“Yeah, I think what they did is really impressive from a standpoint. Like, I think when you move on from a guy like Tyreek Hill, it’s a little bit of a resource allocation discussion,” said Tannenbaum. “There’s other guys, (Marquez) Valdes-Scantling or (JuJu) Smith-Schuster. Taking Skyy Moore in the second round, and we’re gonna serve to allocate that money to other areas of the team, be it offensive line or certainly on defense.”

Tannenbaum spent years as an executive for multiple NFL teams, most recently from 2015 – 2018 with the Miami Dolphins after 15 years in the New York Jets organization. As the founder of The 33rd Team, he constantly evaluates decisions made around the league, including the Chiefs trading up for Trent McDuffie during April’s NFL draft.

“I thought what was interesting in the draft was, you know, when they traded for (Trent) McDuffie,” said Tannenbaum. “That was with New England. I thought Belicheck was gonna take McDuffie; I thought he was like the perfect New England corner. I think him and (George) Karlaftis have a chance to be foundational players. And I think (Willie) Gay and (Nick) Bolton can both run. So I like what they’re doing defensively. And I agree with what Joe said about Spags (Steve Spagnuolo). He’s a really good coach. So I think over the course of the season, like they’re getting better, which is obviously being really well-coached. And I think they have a chance to be there again at the end.”

Andy Reid’s head coaching career began in 1999 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was hired by the then-team executive and later president Joe Banner. The Eagles, under Banner’s leadership, went to five NFC Championship games in eight seasons and played in Super Bowl XXXIX. Banner weighed in on the Chiefs’ progress as well but gave tremendous praise to Reid and his staff.

“It’s not a mistake that — or a coincidence that all of Andy Reid’s teams — they do two things: They get better as the season goes and they win after (bye weeks),” said Banner. “So assume what you’re seeing right now is that the team will be much better over the next two and four weeks.”

As the 2022 season winds down, the Chiefs will be in the mix for another Super Bowl title. A trip to another AFC Championship game alone is a tremendous badge of honor for those that don’t wear the pads in the organization, but they’ll look to go the distance again come playoff time.

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Hall of Famer Rod Woodson talks how to cover Justin Jefferson

The Hall of Famer gives his take on covering the mega star wide receiver

The Minnesota Vikings have one hell of a player in wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Not only does he lead the NFL in receiving yards but he also won the Nickelodeon Valuable Player (NVP) Award for week one. He was outstanding for the Vikings against the Packers going off for nine receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns, including this beautiful deep crossing route in the second quarter.

With such a star on the outside for the Vikings, there are more and more questions on how to cover the third year player from LSU.

In an article with The 33rd Team, hall of fame defensive back Rod Woodson, who knows a thing or two about coverages, broke down how he would cover the star receiver. His biggest key? Stuffing the number.

What he means by that is by rolling coverages to his side when he’s lined up outside. Think about how teams used to have a safety to Randy Moss’ side whenever he was on thei field for the Vikings. For Woodson, that means a lot of cover-2 man with that one safety responsible for providing support for the man on Jefferson. On the backside they would play cover-3 or man.

When Jefferson is in the slot its a different story. Woodson described it as a cover-4 man with the safety and nickel double covering the star receiver.

While these are good strategies, good luck covering the mega-star.

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Former NFL MVP Thinks Kirk Cousins Can Throw for 5,000 Yards

One expert believes in Kirk Cousins to go next level

The 2022 NFL season is fast approaching and the Minnesota Vikings are one of the most intriguing teams in the National Football League.

With a new regime taking flight in general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and especially head coach Kevin O’Connell, the way they handle a roster that is mostly similar to what Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer had last season. The Vikings finished the season 8-9.

This season, all eyes are on Kirk Cousins who signed a one-year extension in the offseason. The idea of re-signing Cousinsdis predicated on O’Connell unlocking the 11th-year signal caller.

In a recent article for The 33rd Team, former Vikings and NFL MVP quarterback Rich Gannon believes that Cousins can not only have his best season ever but throw for a career-high in yards.

“Look at the success that Stafford had in his first season, winning a Super Bowl with the Rams,” said Gannon. “In talking to O’Connell, he said Matthew took ownership of the offense. I think we’re gonna see that with Cousins.I think he can throw for 5,000 yards in his new offense, and I think O’Connell is going to take the training wheels off.”

If Gannon is right, Cousins will have the season of his life. I believe there are real roadblocks to achieving that. If he doesn’t have his best season and finishes with a record around .500, it will likely be the same old story.

Needless to say, Cousins and the Vikings will be appointment viewing all season.

Greg Jennings believes in the Minnesota Vikings

Former Vikings WR believes in the purple and gold

Back in 2013, Greg Jennings left the Green Bay Packers via free agency in search of his next home.

That March, Jennings signed a five-year, $45 million contract to play in Minnesota. It was the beginning of the end for Leslie Frazier’s tenure. Jennings caught 127 passes for 1,546 yards and 10 touchdowns during his two seasons with the Vikings.

Having been recently hired by The 33rd Team, Jennings was tasked with predicting the NFC North. His prediction is one that Vikings fans hope come true.

“This team is prepped, primed and ready to compete against the Green Bay Packers. The Minnesota Vikings are a team that the Green Bay Packers have shown that they struggle with. This team in purple does not fear Aaron Rodgers and supporting cast.”

With a new regime in place, the Vikings just might be in prime position to take over the NFC North.

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