Which Vikings Have the Biggest Opportunities in a Transitional Year?
Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
As the Vikings prepare for training camp at TCO performance center near the end of July, it will have a different vibe as the team transitions from the Kirk Cousins Era to a team with a less clear identity. With Cousins, Danielle Hunter, KJ Osborn, and more out, which non-rookie players are expected to take a step this year? There’s a massive opportunity for several of these players to seize a role as key contributors or even starters. Let’s take a look at who is best positioned to grab a much more important role on the team than they had last year.
Jalen Nailor/Trishton Jackson, Wide Receiver
Both have been in the league for a few seasons and neither have been able to carve out a role either due to health (Nailor) or lack of a true opportunity (Thompson). With Osborn out and TJ Hockenson sidelined for the start of the season, the path is clear for them now. This position group is top-heavy with Justin Jeffferson and Jordan Addison but lacks a true No. 3 receiver. Currently, that spot on the depth chart is occupied by Brandon Powell, but he’s hardly so established that he can’t be overtaken with a strong training camp. Nailor seems to have more raw talent than Jackson, but both will have chances to prove they can contribute in training camp and become solid secondary receiving options.
DL Jaquelin Roy, Defensive Tackle
The defensive line arguably remains the weakest position group on the Vikings, but Brian Flores uses such a wide range of schemes and his Vikings led the league in both zero and one-defensive lineman sets last season. This can be due to Flores working with what he had, but the Vikings didn’t make any major moves in free agency or the draft to address this shortage. Roy will back up Harrison Phillips to start the season. Last season, he showed flashes despite limited playing time (96 snaps), and has the versatility to play nose tackle or defensive end in a 3-4 base defense.
Roy has untapped talent for Flores to draw out. In college, he was fourth in pressure rate for all interior defensive linemen, and used his upper body strength, quick hands, and lateral quickness to get offensive linemen off balance. These tools were why he showed a knack for getting pressure on the quarterback. Despite Flores’ lack of using defensive linemen in traditional roles, Roy should be another candidate to get more playing time this season.
Ed Ingram/Blake Brandel, Guard
The Vikings’ offensive line is generally viewed as a liability, with its interior being a massive weak spot. Popular wisdom tells us guards and centers allowed a steady stream of free runners into the backfield and lacked cohesion on zone-blocking schemes.
The data, however, tells a different story. Last season, the Vikings were tied for ninth in Offensive Line Rating. Sure there were flaws, as Minnesota was third in Pass Block Win Rate, but 19th in Run Block Win Rate – but overall, they were still a top-10 unit.
As a former second-round pick, Ingram is penciled in as the starter at right guard, but only made mild improvements last season and needs a strong third season to improve upon his below-average 59.5 PFF rating. Brandel signed a three-year extension this offseason, as the Vikings believe strongly he can contribute as either the starting LG, a replacement for Ingram, or even a swing lineman. Ideally, the Vikings hope both Ingram and Brandel have strong camps to bring enhanced confidence to an offensive line that must eventually protect JJ McCarthy. These two players will need to step up for both this season and beyond.
Ty Chandler, Running Back
Chandler is a talented back, but up until this point, he has yet to gain the full trust of the coaching staff. Even in a timeshare for carries with veteran Aaron Jones, though, this season could still be a breakout year for Chandler. Chandler ran a 4.38 40-yard dash coming out of UNC and showed several flashes of explosiveness both running and catching the ball last season, despite being underutilized.
Kevin O’Connell was near the bottom the past two seasons with calling rushing plays but will need to emphasize the running game more with Cousins’ absence. A 60/40 split between Jones and Chandler feels in the card, which would have Chandler in the mix much more than last season. He needs to be ready to have the training wheels come off as he enters his third season.
Mekhi Blackmon, Cornerback
Minnesota’s cornerback room lacks a true No. 1 playmaker, but Blackmon has a chance to become that guy this season. Last season, he led the team with a 71.8 PFF rating amongst cornerbacks and was fifth among all defensive players. He has experience playing both on the outside and in the slot while demonstrating good ball skills, providing the versatility Flores seeks in his hybrid defense.
Blackmon’s strength is man coverage and while Flores led the lead in zone coverage plays last season at 69%, Flores’ defensive identity in past seasons has been blitz-heavy, man coverage schemes. With Flores having improved personnel to fit his tendencies, it could result in more man coverage, giving Blackmon a much bigger opportunity to make plays. Blackmon’s play did not go unnoticed last season either as Pro Football Focus, Sports Illustrated, and Pro Football Network all flagged Blackmon as a breakout player in 2024. Now all he needs to to execute on the field.
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