Where Are the Vikings Deepest?
Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The underlying theme for the 2024 Minnesota Vikings is a transition from the Rick Spielman Era and into the true vision of Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Era. As such, Super Bowl expectations are faint, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t optimism. Or at least, there should be some optimism, even if there isn’t on a national stage.
ESPN recently ranked the Vikings as having the 23rd-best projected starting lineup – a harsh evaluation given the high-end talent, new additions, and intriguing players expected to take on larger roles for this team. Minnesota is deeper than you may think in several areas. Let’s count down the top positional strengths of the team and how these groups set the Vikings up for future success.
No. 5: Running Back
Former Packer rival, Aaron Jones, signed this offseason to timeshare a backfield looking to improve upon finishing 28th or worst in several major running metrics. Last season, Alexander Mattison had an abysmal 61.8 PFF grade finishing 56th of 63 qualifying players.
Despite Jones turning 30 years old in December, the most rush attempts he’s had in his career was 236 in 2019, meaning he doesn’t have the wear and tear other players may have given his age. Despite being 29 and missing time due to injuries, Jones still mustered a proficient 4.6 yard per carry last season and caught 43 balls for 7.8 yards per reception. Presumably, there is still gas in the tank.
For the 2024 season – Jones bolters this position group considerably for the Vikings. “Green Bay’s offense was completely different when he was healthy,” an NFC defensive coach said. “He’s a difference-maker.”
Ty Chandler joins Jones in the timeshare. Last season, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry in a limited capacity, but he expects to showcase his 4.3 speed and explosiveness more frequently this season. They’re set for 2024, but the Vikings will need to draft a younger, long-term answer next offseason to share with Chandler, even if he does enjoy a breakout season.
No. 4: Edge Rusher
This revamped group is bolstered by new additions in Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and rookie Dallas Turner. All three of them offer the length and versatile skill sets that Flores seeks within his dynamic schemes. There should be plenty of plays where all three of these edge rushers are on the field all at once.
Greenard finished 10th last season with a career-high 12.5 sacks and if he stays healthy, he’ll have every opportunity to set new personal bests. Van Ginkel had a tremendous 2023 season, posting an elite 91.2 PFF grade and a 90.6 pass-rush grade. He and Greenard will be relied upon to lead the charge after Danielle Hunter defected to sign a contract with Houston this offseason.
Turner could be a menace on the field with his speed and length but will take some seasoning to refine his pass rush moves against stronger offensive lines. Andre Carter II (who has elite physical tools) and Gabriel Murphy (who had strong college production) are interesting UDFAs to keep an eye on during training camp.
No. 3: Safety
This group could easily be higher, given the depth of quality players, but does lack a true ace with Harrison Smith at the tail end of his career. Josh Metellus, Camryn Bynum, and Smith led a three-headed attack that played a combined 3,300 defensive snaps last season, resulting in 342 tackles as a unit.
Flores loves versatile safety/linebacker combos, and these three fit that bill completely. Each of them offers an array of run prevention, blitzing, and coverage skills to disrupt timing for opposing offenses. All three finished in the top 32 for PFF grades, with Bynum leading the pack at #14 with a 73.2 rating. Smith may retire as early as next season, but Theo Jackson is a very capable player who had 21 tackles and an interception on 126 defensive snaps last season. He also is excelling on special teams, pushed out of a regular defensive role given the level of depth on the team. Jay Ward was a fourth-round pick from 2023 who is versatile, strong on special teams, and is a good bet to carve out a role at some point, should injuries mount.
No. 2: Wide Receiver
Fresh off signing a minted 4-year $140 million extension, Justin Jefferson leads a WR group that is top-heavy with talent. Jordan Addison makes for a great 1-2 punch for the group, but the position lacks any true depth after Addison.
Brandon Powell is penciled in as a serviceable No. 3 starter, but can be erased further down the depth chart if players like Jalen Nailor, Trishton Jackson, and Trent Sherfield have strong camp. This part of the Vikings’ depth chart could be volatile. showing the volatility in depth.
Still, you can’t argue with the two names at the top, and they pull this group up to No. 2 in terms of the team’s strongest positions. Addison was tied for 4th in the NFL with 10 receiving touchdowns, while Jefferson is regarded as the best wideout in the NFL. Despite injuries last season, he still finished tied for third among receivers with an exceptional 91.1 PFF rating. Still, Minnesota will need to rely on other receivers stepping up this season.
No. 1: Offensive Tackle
The Vikings boast two of the best tackles in the league with Christian Darrisaw patrolling the left side and Brian O’Neill on the right. Together, they anchor an offensive line that finished as a top-10 unit in 2023 despite inconsistent play and flaws on the interior.
Both dealt with injuries that impacted their production, but their contribution was still at a high level. Darrisaw finished the season third in pass-block win rate at 85.3% and O’Neill was one of very few players to finish top-15 in both pass and run-block win rates.
Expect Darrisaw to sign an extension between now and next season to solidify the quarterback’s blind spot for several more years to come. The depth is adequate with David Quessenberry playing 332 snaps last year, Blakje Brandel having the flexibility to play both tackle and guard, and the Vikings finally moving on from the Oli Udoh experiment and freeing up a roster spot for a sixth-round rookie Walter Rouse.
The Minnesota Vikings generally can be counted on for 7-10 wins, but their focus should not be to compromise player development to achieve shadow wins this season. Still, this team has top-end talent to rely upon for this season and beyond. With so much depth in key areas, their overall roster aligns much more with the middle part of the league than the bottom third.
With a talented quarterback prospect in JJ McCarthy, the Vikings could surprise ESPN and more as soon as this season. And with a rookie deal quarterback, strong depth, and a wealth of cap space to fill in holes for 2025, this team could shape up to be a contender very quickly.
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