The Addison question...

[kmillard]

And (sorry for the side-bar) but where/if does Tai Felton fit into any of this discussion?

Wasn't he like a 3rd round pick?

Can't they get him out there some on offense as the year sunsets?

That was one of the stranger picks in recent years (that is saying something). Seems like a good gunner on special teams other than that ??

[Greylock]

Smart organizations that know what they are doing don't draft special teamers in the 3rd round. Felton may develop into a player but so far he hasn't shown the ability to live up to his draft status, but then that's so far typical for this front office.

[medaille]

I like your plan, but something to consider is the 2027 receiver draft class is shaping up to he historically good on talent and depth, so this might be the more ideal offseason to move him in a trade as a lot of receiver needy teams would likely figure they could just draft a better receiver and not give up anything in trade compensation. If I could get a high second round pick this year and a sweetener in the form of a player or late round pick, I'd probably make that deal. For shits and giggles;

If the Raiders offered us their second round pick and TE Michael Mayer, would you make that deal?

I don’t think that’s the worst trade in the world.  You’re pretty much depending on replacing Addison with your 2nd round pick you got for him.  The TE doesn’t do anything for me.  I think I’d rather go through all of 2026 knowing JJM had quality receivers to work with and then trading him for a one round worse draft pick.

[MaroonBells]

And (sorry for the side-bar) but where/if does Tai Felton fit into any of this discussion?

Wasn't he like a 3rd round pick?

Can't they get him out there some on offense as the year sunsets?

He was WR5 on a team who just released its WR4 two weeks ago. I was not a fan of taking a WR in the 3rd round, with what I thought were bigger needs at RB and DB, but I also said at the time that this was going to be a redshirt season for him with Jefferson, Addison and Nailer ahead of him on the depth chart. Bottom line is it's far too early to say anything at all about Felton.

[purplefaithful]

He was WR5 on a team who just released its WR4 two weeks ago. I was not a fan of taking a WR in the 3rd round, with what I thought were bigger needs at RB and DB, but I also said at the time that this was going to be a redshirt season for him with Jefferson, Addison and Nailer ahead of him on the depth chart. Bottom line is it's far too early to say anything at all about Felton.

Still would like to see him out there some on offense these last 3 games. 

Clearly McCardell pounded the table for the kid, I wish the RB coach would have gotten his way in that way deep RB class last year. Maybe Tutten or Skattebo would be a Viking today.

[MaroonBells]

Still would like to see him out there some on offense these last 3 games. 

Clearly McCardell pounded the table for the kid, I wish the RB coach would have gotten his way in that way deep RB class last year. Maybe Tutten or Skattebo would be a Viking today.

It's a head scratcher for sure, especially considering the quality of the RBs still on the board at that point. I'll give McCardell the benefit of the doubt on this one...for now.

[medaille]

Like maybe get some touches for Felton, but I think it’s more about sharpening JJM than it is about Felton.

Not too worried about his lack of playing time when we’ve really only used WR1-3 when they’re all pretty legit. That said, shouldn’t really be an issue to get him a couple snaps on WR screens or jet sweeps or something.

[pattersaur]

It's a head scratcher for sure, especially considering the quality of the RBs still on the board at that point. I'll give McCardell the benefit of the doubt on this one...for now.

You can give it, that’s nice of you, but the Vikings recent draft picks have in no way earned the benefit of the doubt

Addison has little incentive to sign a deal with us this offseason, unless the Vikings overpay based on What Could Have Been and not, What Was. If they sweeten it enough to keep him around a few more years I won’t complain. He’s excellent.

Nailor and Hockenson I’d try to move on from. Hock makes way more than his production is worth. The problem is there just aren’t many good tight ends, and even fewer who come available. Outside of a rookie phenom, I think upgrading at TE in ‘26 is unlikely. So can we achieve roughly the same results (not much frankly) for less money? It looks like Hockensons dead cap would be $12M if we cut him if I’m reading it right. Ouch…

Nailor has been solid this year but how much do you pay a guy for 500 yds and a couple TDs? Speedy screams “Signs A Fat Deal With A Bad Team” to me. And that might be a great move for him to go somewhere with more opportunities and money. 

If somehow Addison does get traded, for continuity’s sake I guess I’d keep Hockenson around for one more year over anointing Nailor WR2. I’m just not super high on his potential anymore.