Minnesota Vikings

At the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah aggressively rejected the idea of trading star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The Vikings came close to extending Jefferson last offseason, and the team still has no plans to trade him despite quarterback Kirk Cousins' departure to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, according to sources. The 25-year-old pass-catcher is currently signed through the 2024 season. With Cousins gone, the Vikings signed former first-rounder Sam Darnold. Unless the team makes a splash in the upcoming NFL draft for a rookie signal-caller, all signs point to Darnold taking over the starting gig in Minnesota, which would give Jefferson far less upside as an elite WR1 for fantasy purposes.

The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms to re-sign wide receiver Brandon Powell to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday night, according to a source. Powell caught 29 passes for a career-high 324 yards and a key touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons on 44 targets in 17 games (two starts) in 2023 in his first year with the Vikings and fifth year in the NFL. Normally more of a punt returner, Powell was relied on more often due to injuries to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Florida has bounced around with four different teams in his five NFL seasons, but he'll stay put in Minnesota in 2024 and could be the team's starting slot wideout if Osborn doesn't re-sign. Still, with quarterback Sam Darnold potentially Minnesota's starter under center in 2024, Powell will be off the fantasy radar in most leagues.

Free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings when the new league year begins on Wednesday, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. He will ink a one-year, $10 million deal. The Vikings just lost veteran franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons, so Darnold could have the chance to earn a few starts in 2024. Minnesota could be eyeing a rookie quarterback in next month's NFL Draft, but Darnold could serve as a bridge quarterback as they ease a rookie into action. The former No. 3 overall pick by the New York Jets has thrown for 12,064 yards, 63 touchdowns, and 56 interceptions during his six-year NFL career. He was Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco last season. Although he's not on the single-QB fantasy radar, he could be worth rostering in two-QB or Superflex leagues early next season.

Former Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is staying in the NFC North, as he is set to sign a one-year, $7 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Jones was released by the Packers after they landed former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. The 29-year-old dealt with injuries last year and was limited to 656 rushing yards and 233 receiving yards to go along with three total touchdowns. However, he dominated in the playoffs, posting 39 carries for 226 yards (5.6 YPC) and three touchdowns in two games. He still has plenty of juice, and he should be set up to be the featured back with the Vikings. However, the offense could be headed for steep regression after losing franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons.

Free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold is weighing free-agent offers between the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings, according to sources. The Broncos recently released Russell Wilson, who was quickly picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Vikings saw Kirk Cousins walk in free agency to the Atlanta Falcons, so both teams could use a veteran QB addition like Darnold to compete with either Jarrett Stidham (in Denver) or Nick Mullens? (in Minnesota). Of course, both teams could also make a move up in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft to land a future franchise signal-caller as well. Darnold, 26, was a bust for the Jets as the third overall pick in 2018 and has started just seven games in the last two years with the Panthers and Niners. If Darnold ends up starting for the majority of next season with either the Broncos or Vikings, their offenses would be in bad shape.