The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

The Vikings had a great season on paper in 2022. It was the first year with new Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, and the team won the NFC North while winning 13 games. The problem was the Vikings never seemed like a solid contender, and when they lost to the Giants in the Wild Card Round at home, their strong season came crashing down. Can the team find a way to do better in 2023?

Off-Season Changes

The Vikings bid farewell to a number of key veterans this off-season. That started with the departure of long-time receiver Adam Thielen, who signed with the Panthers. Tight end Irv Smith, Jr. moved on to the Bengals, while veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson signed with the Steelers and linebacker Eric Kendricks signed with the Chargers. The final major change was at running back, where starter Dalvin Cook was released.

The Vikings worked to re-load as well. The team brought in cornerback Byron Murphy from the Cardinals and linebacker Troy Reeder. In the draft, the Vikings added another piece to the secondary, using a Third-Round pick on cornerback Mekhi Blackmon. The team also used a Fourth-Round pick on safety Jay Ward.

The biggest addition came with the team’s First-Round pick. The Vikings snagged receiver Jordan Addison, to provide another weapon. Addison played for Pittsburgh and USC in college. He caught 160 passes for 2,259 yards and 21 touchdowns in his first two years with Pittsburgh. Last year at USC, he caught 59 passes for 875 yards and eight touchdowns. He figures to be a significant weapon for Kirk Cousins.

Fantasy Impact

At quarterback, it’s all about Cousins. He’s been a constantly under-rated player at the position. He was QB7 in 2022 and is a good bet to have a floor in the QB10-14 range this season. The backfield is more of a question. The team re-signed Alexander Mattison, and it’s his show now. He’s spent his whole four years with the Vikings, rushing for 1,670 yards and 11 touchdowns, catching 70 passes for 526 yards. Can he carry the full load? That remains to be seen. For now, I have him in the RB2 range due to expected volume.

In the receiving game, the Vikings have a pair of excellent options. Justin Jefferson was WR1 in 2022 and is a great bet to be at or near the same in 2023. At tight end, the Vikings acquired T.J. Hockenson from the Lions mid-season and he proved to be a great fit. He finished as TE2 in 2022 and is a lock as a TE1 for me.

The bigger question is around other receivers. The Vikings have Addison, a rookie, and veteran K.J. Osborn. Both figure to factor into the passing game, but to what extent? Addison has a lot of promise as a rookie. Osborn is more of a question. He caught 60 passes for 650 yards and five touchdowns on 90 targets in 2022. His role could remain largely the same, which saw him as WR45. I think both should be rostered and both could be deep league flex options. Addison could also be more of a weekly play if he can capitalize on the target share vacated by Thielen.

Prediction

The Vikings still have a solid core on offense, but can they improve on defense? The team won 13 games but couldn’t beat contenders. That’s the challenge in 2023. I don’t think they’ll post as gaudy a record, but they’ll compete with the Lions for the division title and a playoff spot.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.