It’s the start of training camp for the Minnesota Vikings, and once again, hope springs eternal. The team made only crafty trades that will help the team. Every rookie they drafted or signed will contribute to the team this season. And the breakout seasons that we have been waiting for from some of the younger players will be on display this season at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Then we woke up and realized that all of these things would not come to pass. But in anticipation of the 2024 NFL Season, let’s look into our crystal balls and make some predictions on how we think the team will perform this year.
Vikings Offense
Quarterback
Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, J.J. McCarthy
In that order. The Vikings hope Darnold can live up to the potential expected of him as the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. They can only hope his vagabond days have ended. Nick Mullens played like a mad bomber when he was forced into action last season, but he knows the system, and he should help the team bide some time until McCarthy is ready.
If you see J.J. McCarthy playing meaningful downs early in the season, you know the team is in trouble. He has a great arm and shows excellent potential, but he is not ready for primetime. Give him at least a year to learn and grow. Jaren Hall, the 2023 fifth-round pick, might stick around on the practice squad for insurance.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Myles Gaskin
I love Aaron Jones, and I am so happy the Vikings acquired him. Since he is getting up there in age for a running back, Chandler will have to spell him frequently, which will also allow him to establish his own rhythm. Myles Gaskin is there for insurance and some mop-up duty. There could be an addition and subtraction from this group during or after training camp.
Who’s missing? Kick return specialist Kene Nwangwu. After scoring two return touchdowns in his rookie season, his return average has dropped every year since then. And with the Viking’s lack of faith in him as a running back, I believe the team will move on and look for other options at the kick returner position.
Fullback
C.J. Ham
I know fullbacks are a dying breed in the NFL, but Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has found an effective way to utilize Ham on passing downs. So, at least for now, he is here to stay.
Wide Receivers
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, Jalen Nailor, Triston Jackson
JJ is simply one of the best receivers in the league, and he will have to continue that elevated play to help his new quarterback. Addison had about as good a rookie season as you could imagine. He is ready to turn the corner and become an elite receiver. However, his off-the-field legal issues may force him to miss some time, so keep an eye on this situation.
Powell is a steady receiver who will do everything he can to help the team. Fortunately for the Vikings, he does not need to be their third passing option due to the presence of two dynamic pass-catching tight ends and running back Jones. Look for Nailor to get his chances and also move to the kick return position. Jackson provides depth, and Lucky Jackson may be needed if Addison should miss any time.
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson (PUP), Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Robert Tonyan, Nick Muse
In all likelihood, Hockenson will start the season on the Physically Unable to Play (PUP) list and will miss several early season games. And while Oliver is a fearless blocker and Mundt can do a little of everything, neither can replace the talented T.J.
Fortunately for the Vikings, they acquired former Packer tight end Tonyan to bolster the passing game. While he is not on the talent level of Hokenson, he did haul in 11 touchdowns from Aaron Rodgers in 2020, and reports say he had an excellent mini-camp. Muse sticks around due to Hokenson’s injury and look for converted wide receiver N’K Harry to latch on as practice squad depth.
Offensive Line
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Christian Darrisaw, Dalton Risner, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Brian O’Neill, Blake Blandel, Dan Feeney, David Quessenbery, Walter Rouse
This is a tale of two lines. On the one hand, you have the outstanding tackle tandem of O’Neill and the new $113 million dollar man, Darrisaw. This means the Vikings are in great shape at the tackle position for the foreseeable future. Quessenbery and the rookie Rouse add depth to this position.
Now for the interior offensive line. First, Bradbury. He is a very capable run blocker, but he has always been bullied around by larger pass-rushing tackles. That situation won’t change, and Sweeney is unlikely to usurp him at the position. Ham will have to continue to provide him relief in passing situations, and the Vikings will hopefully plan for an alternative to Bradbury in the future.
People are playing shell games about who will start at the two guard positions. Some combination of Risner, Ingram, or Brandel will open the season as starters. My guess is that the two starters from last year, Risner and Ingram, will emerge with the starting spots. Blandel’s flexibility actually works against him. I believe the Vikings will utilize his talents to plug holes in the line caused by injuries and subpar play. But this is a fluid situation.
Defensive Line
Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, Jaquelin Roy, Levi Drake Rodriguez
This is definitely an area of concern. Phillips and Bullard do a great job stopping the run, but there was very little interior pass rush last season. That’s why Tillery was brought in, even though his career has been disappointing so far.
Best bet is that you’ll also see one of the edge rushers move inside on passing downs to bring the heat. The coaches hope Roy takes that next step forward after an uneven rookie season. Rodriguez will spell both Phillips and Bullard.
Edge/Outside Linebackers
Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Jihad Ward, Gabriel Murphy
This position group might be stronger than last year, even with the loss of All-Pro Danielle Hunter. Greenard had a career year last season. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores had Van Ginkel in Miami and loves his versatility. Turner, the prized rookie, will be given every chance to succeed.
Ward might be the sleeper in the group, as he racked up a career-high five sacks last season. The Vikings love Murphy’s motor, so he gets the fifth position spot over the disappointing Patrick Jones II and ahead of Andre Carter II. Carter could slip to the practice squad.
Inside Linebackers
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Ivan Pace Jr., Brian Cashman, Brian Asamoah, Kamu Grugier-Hill
Another position where the Vikings are kind of thin. With his outstanding rookie campaign, undrafted free agent Pace made the Vikings look like geniuses. Even more will be expected of him this season. Cashman had a breakout season for Houston in 2023 after mostly being a special teamer. The team hopes the local guy continues his dynamic play.
Here is where it gets dicey. Asamoah came to the Vikings a few seasons back from Oklahoma with great promise. But other than special teams work, injuries have kept him out of the lineup for long stretches. And Grugier-Hill has performed just so-so in his eight-year career. Look for a possible addition and subtraction at this position as the season draws near.
Cornerbacks
Bryon Murphy Jr., Shaq Griffin, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., Dwight McGlothern
The Vikings’ cornerback situation, as always, is in flux. A team concern entering the summer became an emergency situation with the tragic loss of rookie Khyree Jackson in a car accident earlier this month. The Vikings are left to move on with the memory of his passing.
As it stands, Byron Murphy is the one piece of the puzzle you can count on. He will start on the outside and move inside to the nickel position on passing downs. The newly acquired Griffin is the other starter by default, but his track record is sketchy. Mekhi Blackmon had some nice moments last season, but he is now likely out for the season with a torn ACL.
If someone had asked me a month ago, I would have said that neither Evans (subpar play) nor Booth (injuries) would make the final roster. But with the recent turn of events, they both may survive. Undrafted McGlothern comes in with a lot of hype, but the word is that he is a baller. Change will be coming to this position.
Safeties
Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, Josh Mettellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
The Vikings viewed this position group last year as one of need. A year later, this is a pretty strong contingent. Bynum has turned into one of the best deep safeties in the league. He will continue to draw the opposing team’s premier receiver as his assignment. Mettulus played the equivalent of a monster back position last year and excelled at stopping the run and the pass.
Unfortunately for Smith, Father Time has caught up to him. The future Hall of Famer struggles in pass coverage and has lost half a step on his blitzes. It’s possible that by the end of the season, the promising Jackson or the versatile Ward will push him for playing time.
Special Teams
Will Reichard, Seth Vernon, Andrew DePaola
The Vikings hope the rookie Reichard brings some stability to the kicking position. He doesn’t have the strongest leg, but he was super consistent at Alabama. And I think Vernon beats out Ryan Wright for the punter and placeholder position. Wright was very inconsistent last season, and Vernon had an exciting mini-camp.
All-Pro snapper DePaola is the best at his craft. Nailor handles kick returns, and Powell does the same on punts.
We’ll check back right before the season starts to see how I did on my predictions. Skol Vikings!!!
