There were multiple calls for the Minnesota Vikings to stop worrying about victories and start concentrating on draft position after the team’s 0-3 start. That will only increase after the Vikings dropped to 1-4 with a 27-20 loss to Kansas City on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
It’s nonsense to think coach Kevin O’Connell and his players are going to consider tanking or give draft position any thought. But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might, especially if he sees this as a lost season. If that’s the case, Sunday’s game presented Adofo-Mensah with an opportunity to lesson his team’s ability to win.
Buy Vikings TicketsIt came in the fourth quarter when Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson departed because of a hamstring injury. Jefferson did not return and it won’t be surprising if he misses time.
The question is how much time?
There’s no reason for the Vikings to try to rush Jefferson’s recovery, and it’s in everyone’s best interest to hold him out until the injury is fully recovered. That includes Jefferson, who needs to look out for himself, especially since he’s still playing on his rookie contract and has yet to sign the rich extension he’s sure to get.
So what would be a wise play for the Vikings and Jefferson? The Vikings have three more games in October, including next Sunday in Chicago, a Monday night matchup against San Francisco at U.S. Bank Stadium and then at Green Bay on Oct. 29. The Bears and Packers games are the Vikings’ first two in the division this season and losing either or both would shovel more dirt on O’Connell’s team.
If the Vikings lose all three, it will drop them to 1-7 and enable Adofo-Mensah to make a compelling case to ownership that he should be allowed to move veterans on expiring contracts before the Oct. 31 trade deadline.
The two most attractive trade candidates would be defensive end Danielle Hunter and quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has a no-trade clause but certainly would draw interest. The return would be first or second-day draft picks that could be added to a first-round selection that right now would be the fourth overall pick.
Not a bad position for a team that is looking for its quarterback of the future and would have a high selection in what looks to be a quality draft for QBs.
Jefferson, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, is going to have no interest in missing time, but he’s also smart enough to know that taking care of himself is the most important thing. And if his hamstring injury is a bad one, missing three games might be only a start.
“It was tough on him,” O’Connell said of Jefferson having to leave Sunday’s game and not return. “He’s the ultimate competitor. I just spent some time quickly with him in the locker room, and we’ll get him back as soon as we possibly can.”
First-round pick Jordan Addison, who had a team-high six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown Sunday, should move to the top of the depth chart. K.J. Osborn, who already sees plenty of snaps, would be second and Brandon Powell would see increased playing time.
Addison is turning into a very good receiver but Jefferson’s absence would take away one of the league’s most dynamic players from the Vikings. Jefferson entered Sunday with an NFL-leading 543 yards on 33 receptions and three touchdowns. He only had three receptions for 28 yards on six targets Sunday before departing.
“There won’t be a better teammate in that locker room during the time (he’s out),” O’Connell said. “Hopefully we have him right back this week. I know he’s a captain. He’s done everything the right way on and off the field for us as a team. Absolutely love him and what he brings from a competitiveness standpoint and setting a standard of what we are all out for, and it will no question be something we have to work through.”
How long the Vikings will have to work through it could tell us plenty about their faith in rebounding this season.
Judd Zulgad is co-host of the Purple Daily Podcast and Mackey & Judd podcast at www.skornorth.com
