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The week after an NFL Draft can be a little quiet when teams choose the second weekend to hold rookie minicamp (as the Vikings did for this upcoming weekend), but there was quite a bit of news from Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center last week.

J.J. McCarthy, Brian O'Neill, Jonathan Greenard and Joshua Metellus each participated in media sessions.

Most of you have probably seen Lindsey Young's great story about the impressions McCarthy is making on vets as he proceeds to his first NFL season as a starter. Every chance I've had to observe him in a press conference, during interactions with teammates and at community events has pointed to one of the first things General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told us about him: "His emotional intelligence is a superpower. … He uses his superpower to create lasting bonds."

While there's a heckuva lot more to being a successful quarterback than that, the ability to make authentic connections should help as he guides 10 other professionals with his maturity that is beyond his 22 years of age.

I was working on some long-term content this past week, so I appreciate Lindsey also handling a feature led with a comment that Greenard made after last season ended, "More is required," as well as how O'Neill and the rebuilt offensive line are already meshing.

Oh yeah, how about a contract extension for GINK!? The Vikings rewarded one of the most stellar seasons by a free agent with a pay bump and a year added to Andrew Van Ginkel's deal. Really cool for his family, which is rooted in Vikings fandom, to be able to join him for the signing, even if it complicated the photo effort (I have a feeling other parents can relate to Sam Van Ginkel's post).

The team closed out the week by announcing jersey numbers for the rookies, veteran newcomers and players who are making a switch in 2025.

Let's get to the questions because rookie minicamp will be here before we know it (players are scheduled to arrive May 8 and participate in an open practice May 9).

1. With the O-line and D-line being addressed in free agency, why not go after Nick Emmanwori or Malaki Starks? We had an opportunity to take them both.

2. Why trade for Sam Howell instead of taking Shedeur Sanders or Will Howard if we wanted another QB? Understanding that Sam Howell is considered a veteran, he's no better than a fifth or sixth-round rookie.

3. What are we doing to become legitimate contenders in the NFL? We are not taken seriously. The 14-win season was just that. We still weren't serious contenders just like we weren't in Kevin O'Connell's first season. We are not winning. The opponent is losing. That's what I see.

— BK

One of the stories we posted last week that I didn't mention was a roundup of report cards issued by external media outlets. The grades ranged from an A to a D. Those always provide some interesting talkers and thoughts for consideration. If people wanted/expected an addition in the secondary, then they may have graded Minnesota's efforts lower.

But with just one selection in the first two rounds this year, the Vikings continued their offseason commitment to the offensive line.

The grade the Vikings had on Jackson, along with his potential to provide a multiyear option, was greater than any other decision in front of the Vikings.

Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell hosted an off-the-record film review for Twin Cities media members last Thursday. It's an awesome hour-plus of insight to point out particular strengths of each player, as well as to mention a couple of growth opportunities in a player's game.

While we can't take everyone into that space, I can pass along that the session started with Jackson's impact in the run game before going to the passing game. Minnesota wants to continue to run the football better because of the correlation between that success and opening up the passing game and keeping the ball away from opponents and keeping the defense fresh. As Adofo-Mensah mentioned during draft weekend, offensive lines can be team lifters.

You can step inside the Film Room with analyst Pete Bercich as he's breaking down footage of each draft pick. This video of Jackson posted Friday.

The other component to answering Question 1 is Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores is projecting some good things from free agent signee Isaiah Rodgers at cornerback. Minnesota has Harrison Smith and Joshua Metellus back for big-time roles, and safety Theo Jackson is expected to pick up where he left off from a really impressive training camp last summer.

As for the Howell trade, he is a former fifth-round pick, but I do believe he will be well ahead of where a fifth- or sixth-round rookie would be in 2025. The Vikings evaluated him in 2022, and they also reviewed his 2023 season when he didn't have much to work with on a 4-13 Commanders squad that got outscored 518 to 329 for the third-worst point differential in the first 93 seasons of the franchise.

The QB evaluators on Minnesota's staff can set aside those and assess the play of the QB. This isn't too dissimilar from the Vikings trading to acquire Nick Mullens in 2022 to back-up Kirk Cousins. The difference is the timing. Mullens was added in August. Howell will have the benefit of the offseason program here but also the understanding of a major share of reps going to McCarthy.

I'm not sure there's a lot I can say to sway anyone who is of the mindset the Vikings weren't legitimate contenders last season. The 14 victories — by a team in a loaded division — were undermined by a disappointing ending, but last year's squad was plus-100 in points (432 to 332). True, four victories resulted from a sweep of the AFC South, but two teams provided the source for all four losses, and the Vikings demonstrably improved in areas that proved costly in January.

Some predicted 6.5 wins (some even fewer!) for Minnesota last season, which added to the enjoyment for Vikings players and coaches when they opened 5-0 and then responded to two losses with a nine-game winning streak.

One complaint that I have about this year's draft is that when Green Bay Packers announced their first-round draft choice, they subjected us to their annoying "GO PACK GO" chant, and it went on for three minutes before Commissioner Roger Goodell announced our first-round draft pick (Donovan Jackson).

Perhaps if the Twin Cities hosts the NFL Draft in the future, maybe we should blare out "SKOL, Vikings" after each of our draft picks to see how Green Bay Packers fans like it.

— Brandan Fiedler in Chisholm, Minnesota

I'll chalk that up to a "host privilege." It did seem like the coverage really leaned in extra on the fact the Packers selected a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since 2002 (Javon Walker), but I have no problem with a host city showing pride in its team.

Minnesota, which has successfully hosted two Super Bowls, is now the only NFC North locale that has not yet hosted a draft. If/when that opportunity arrives, I expect the community here will represent well in showing their support of the Vikings — and the ability to be hospitable to fans of other teams. Those elements are part of what makes U.S. Bank Stadium such a great place in the sports stadia landscape.

I'd imagine there would be plenty of "SKOL, Vikings" to offset.

Will Gavin Bartholomew be used as an H-back like Jim Kleinsasser was when he was with the Vikings?

— Mark Quirk

Bartholomew will be rocking the No. 86, which was previously worn by Johnny Mundt (now in Jacksonville).

I'd imagine Bartholomew will be a multitasker but maybe more closely related to Mundt's role than Kleinsasser's.

"We think he can be a hybrid Y/F tight end for us. He's got some route-running ability. We think he's got a lot the ability in his body. His pro day showed a lot of that," Adofo-Mensah said of Bartholomew after the draft. "We think he's got a lot of lower-body strength to … be somebody to help us in the run game and special teams. A good athlete. A good football player."

So that might involve playing in-line with the formation, and it also could involve being the move tight end when Minnesota uses 12 or 13 personnel.

I enjoyed Mundt's time here for sure, and I look forward to seeing what Bartholomew put on his college tape — there are multiple highlights involving hurdling of humans — translate to the Vikings.

Do you think we will keep Ty Chandler? He is our only speed back. The other two are more power, 4.5 runners. Why we didn't draft a safety? Makes me think Jay Ward is doing good.

— Warren

It's way too early for any kind of roster projections, and I usually try to steer clear of making those in a public forum.

The combination of Aaron Jones, Sr., and Jordan Mason is one that the Vikings are excited about, but they are going to continue to look for ways to maximize every player's talents, including Chandler.

I kind of hit on the safety decision in the first answer. Most of Ward's action has been on special teams so far (616 snaps compared to 63 on defense, but we'll also see where he's at heading into his third pro season (he is going to wear No. 24, which formerly was rocked by Camryn Bynum). I know a lot of people couldn't make it to training camp last year, but the days that Theo Jackson put together were really impressive.

What is the rhyme, reason or process on how the Vikings target and sign undrafted free agents?

— Ed Helinski in Auburn, New York

The Vikings have a really detailed process that they've been building over the years for approaching the signing of undrafted free agents.

Successes in past years, even when draft classes have been larger, helped prepare the team to make another big splash (20 total signees) in that process, and it could prove quite fruitful with such a small number of draft picks (five tied the team record from 2008 and 2009 for fewest selections).

Without getting into any secret sauce by the group, part of it is trying to have a good understanding of players the team has interest in who might go undrafted for any imaginable reason. Sometimes it could be that the athleticism is there but not the coveted size (thinking Bo Richter and Ivan Pace, Jr., in recent memory) that is usually seen in draft picks. Other times it might be because things just didn't work out optimally during a player's college experience. Or it could be because another team already addressed certain position groups in free agency or the draft.

Multiple UDFAs were among Minnesota's Top 30 visits this year, so part of the relationship-building occurred before the final sales pitch of joining the Vikings.

The draft is past and over. I would like to chat some about the free agents signed and picked out a few noteworthy ones to talk about.

Tyler Batty, OLB. I see a future T.J Watt playing for the Vikes. It will be exciting to watch him.

Mishael Powell, S. Powell has good strength and speed. He will make the 53 cut-off and become a valuable team player.

Logan Brown, OL. A good steal in the free agency. Shows good flashes against the rush. Has great potential.

Silas Bolden, WR. He will be a nice fit on special teams and returns. Good speed.

Ben Yurosek, TE. A good and beefy TE. Has good ability to get the relief passes from the QB and make a first down. Move over T.J., you have competition now.

Max Brosmer, QB. Interesting signing to say the least. He could become the third or even the second-string QB following a year on the practice team polishing some rough edges off a sleeper diamond. Possible another Sam Darnold. (I'll miss Sam).

Looking overall at the free agents signed, everyone has unique and valuable strengths and some weaknesses. It will be some big, tough decisions to make come the 53-cut-off time and K.O. will have his hands full. I bet he wishes to keep them all. Good luck to everyone and have a great year.

SKOL,

— Jerry B. in Ohio

Appreciate Jerry looking over so many prospects, but I'm not sure it's completely fair to Batty or Yurosek to immediately project them as the T.J.s (Watt and Hockenson), who were both first-round picks.

Coaches and teams want to build as much quality depth as possible to maximize the value of every practice rep, even if that means having to make difficult decisions when reducing the roster before the regular season—and even potentially seeing another player the team is trying to re-sign to the practice squad get poached by another team.

We initially posted the list of UDFAs and have now added some details on each player. We'll look forward to following along with their journeys beginning Friday and seeing where things go during the preseason.

Our Vikings have had success choosing players in the draft from the same collegiate teams in the past. When looking at our undrafted free agent signings, I see four of the 20 are from Auburn. That must be a record. Do we have a connection with their coaching staff?

SKOL,

— Ricky from Omaha, Nebraska

I've not specifically heard of a direct connection between Vikings coaches and Auburn coaches, and I also don't have stats on whether four UDFAs from one school is a Vikings record, but I'd be shocked if there's ever been more from one school.

The former Tigers include punter Oscar Chapman, receiver Robert Lewis and linebackers Austin Keys and Dorian Mausi.

First, I want to say that I thought the Vikings did a terrific job with the draft and the UDFA signings. There is a lot of talent to compete for roster spots. I am curious if (because of the injury last year) J.J. McCarthy is eligible to take part in the upcoming rookie minicamp? If he is, will the coaches let him take part?

I have been a Vikings fan since Bud Grant first got to Minnesota and can honestly say I am as excited for the Vikings future as I have ever been.

Skol,

— Joseph From Terre Haute, Indiana

Thanks for such a long run of support.

McCarthy will not be at rookie minicamp, but the good news for those awaiting some practice highlights of the QB is that we've reached May.

By the end of this month, McCarthy will be on the field for the team's Organized Team Activity practices, so stay tuned for some highlights in three few weeks.

View the Vikings 2025 Draft Picks.

View the Vikings 2025 Opponents.