The NFL offseason is now in full swing. With the Super Bowl fully in the rearview mirror, sports media is now trying to convince us that the NFL Combine is worth paying attention to. NFL fans are already so starved for NFL content that we are knee-deep in mock drafts for a draft that is almost a full two months away. We are in a dead period right now when it comes to the NFL, but instead of turning our attention to the NBA and NHL that are heating up towards the postseason or MLB Spring Training, we are concerned with how many quarterbacks are going to go in the first round of the NFL Draft. In an attempt to drag your attention away from the all-consuming NFL, here are some fun Minnesota cross-sport player comparisons.
Christian Darrisaw – Anthony Edwards
The youngsters with seemingly infinite potential. Darrisaw and Edwards were both first-round draft picks that had high expectations and are on track to exceed them somehow. While Darrisaw is nowhere near as exciting as Edwards, he is a piece that the Vikings will be happy to hang on to for a long time. Darrisaw and Edwards play big roles in the futures of both Minnesota franchises. Both are rather underrated as well. Edwards was an all-star for the first time this year as an injury replacement even though he deserved to be named to the reserves originally. Similarly, Darrisaw missed out on the Pro Bowl despite a great year at left tackle for the Vikings, injuries likely played a role in keeping him out of the Pro Bowl. Both of these young players have the opportunity to blossom into the best players at their respective positions in the coming years.
Kirk Cousins – Rudy Gobert
This comparison has less to do with their on-field performances, and more to do with their reception from their respective fanbases. During the 2022 NBA offseason, the Timberwolves went all out to acquire the former defensive player of the year. Shipping away four first-round picks as well as multiple solid role players. Fast forward to roughly three-quarters of the way through the NBA season and Timberwolves fans are already tired of Gobert. Sitting at .500 the Timberwolves’ monumental move to acquire Gobert has flopped massively. In Cousins’ case, Vikings fans seem to have reached the end of the rope with their quarterback. Cousins has turned in some solid performances but the team will never be Super Bowl-bound with Cousins at the helm. Both players have destined their franchises for mediocrity. Gobert took away the Wolves’ future with the steep price of four first-round draft picks over the next seven years, while Cousins has handicapped the team with cap-strapping extension after cap-strapping extension. With both players seemingly past their primes in their thirties, both fanbases await the day they are freed from the restrictions the players have placed on their respective teams.
Dalvin Cook – Byron Buxton
The familiar face. Cook and Buxton are players that have spent their entire careers in Minnesota and have become synonymous with the franchises. At their best, both players have had serious MVP talks surrounding them. However, both of them have one thing holding them back: injuries. Twins fans are all too familiar with Buxton’s injury issues, he has had one season where he has played more than 100 games. Cook has been a little more fortunate with injuries, however, he has missed significant portions of seasons due to injury. In fact, Cook is getting surgery on his shoulder this offseason for an injury he had sustained “over the past few seasons” (ESPN). Without injuries afflicting these two stars, there is no telling how great they could be today. With both players still around their prime they could surprise a lot of people if they can stay healthy in their upcoming seasons.
Justin Jefferson – Kirill Kaprizov
Saving the best for last, the stars. You could argue that Anthony Edwards deserves to be in this spot, however, Kaprizov and Jefferson have been on another level for their Minnesota franchises. Both players have been setting some ridiculous records through their first years. Kaprizov is in the conversation for the best wings in the NHL, while Jefferson has a serious argument to be considered the best wide receiver in the NFL. The comparisons continue off the court and the ice, both are considered fun guys to be around and have been received warmly by their respective locker rooms. These two are special players that we are lucky enough to get to witness shine on Minnesota sports teams. They are bringing in a new era of Minnesota sports and it is going to be fun to watch. As long as these two are on their teams, the Wild and the Vikings will be competitive, fun teams.
Stop hounding the mock drafts and pretending to enjoy combine events and turn your attention to other Minnesota franchises. At 32-32, the Timberwolves own the 8-seed in the West, only one game back from the 5-seed Golden State Warriors. Anthony Edwards has been putting on a show and will be determined to drag this team into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Wild are second in their division and gearing up for a playoff run that will certainly be entertaining with Kaprizov leading the way. The Twins are 2-3 in the Grapefruit League during spring training. They are looking to bounce back from a down year after retaining Carlos Correa and getting Kenta Maeda back from injury. Of course, we are still going to follow the Vikings in their offseason ventures (as we should), but show some love to the other franchises that call Minnesota home.
