Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Athletic's Dianna Russini writes that we should look for the Minnesota Vikings to go after free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold after former QB Kirk Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons in free agency on Monday. Darnold has other suitors on the open market, but perhaps none more desperate than the Vikings right now. The former first-round pick spent the 2023 season as the San Francisco 49ers' backup to Brock Purdy, and he ended up going 28-for-46 for 297 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in 10 games played (one start). The 26-year-old looked much more comfortable with the Niners in limited action last year, but that doesn't mean he'll improve at all in a different organization if he's forced into a starting role for the Vikings in 2024. However, he would be in a strong situation with one of the best receivers in the game in Justin Jefferson.

The Green Bay Packers are releasing running back Aaron Jones after signing free agent running back Josh Jacobs to a contract on Monday. Jones had $12 million in non-guaranteed compensation for 2024, but with the Packers adding Jacobs to the roster, Green Bay decided to move on from the veteran back. Jones rushed for 656 yards and two touchdowns while catching 30 passes for 233 yards and a score over 11 games in 2023. The 29-year-old finished the season and playoffs strong, logging five consecutive 100-yard games and three touchdowns during that five-game span. After seven seasons with the Packers, Jones will be a free agent and look to latch onto a team in search of a starting back. Jones should be a free agent for only a short time, and after a strong finish last season, the former Packer should be a solid fantasy option in 2024, regardless of where he lands.

According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, tight end Johnny Mundt has agreed to a new deal with the Vikings. The 29-year-old began his career with the Rams but spent the last two years in Minnesota. In 79 regular season games, he amassed 46 catches for 405 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, that type of production won't earn him a place on most fantasy rosters, considering his presence is more crucial as a member of the special teams unit.

ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks NFL teams are higher on Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy than a lot of people on the outside think, and Graziano wouldn't be surprised to see McCarthy come off the board in April's NFL draft in the top 10. He came to the scouting combine in Indianapolis last week as one of the prospects with the most to gain, and while teams have their questions, he has intriguing traits and is ranked by ESPN as the No. 4 signal-caller in this year's class behind USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye, and LSU's Jayden Daniels. The consensus is that QBs will come off the board with the top three picks this year (Chicago, Washington and New England), but McCarthy could be an option for the Giants (No. 6) or Falcons (No. 8) or another team (Vikings, Raiders) that potentially trades up into the top 10 in the first round.

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones is reportedly discussing a pay cut with the organization. Jones is heading into the final year of his four-year deal with the team. He's set to make a base salary of $11.1 million with a cap hit of $17.5 million in 2024. Jones missed six games last season, but still put together solid numbers when he was healthy. The 29-year-old finished with 656 rushing yards on 142 attempts with two touchdowns in 11 games. Fellow back AJ Dillon is set to become a free agent this offseason. That being said, Jones appears to be in line to be the workhorse back next season.