An Unsung Factoid about Vikings 2-0 Start
The Minnesota Vikings sit in sole possession of first place inside the NFC North — some two weeks after every major sportsbook picked the purple team to finish in last place this season.
An Unsung Factoid about Vikings 2-0 Start
Out of the gate in 2024, Minnesota beat down the embattled New York Giants on the road by 22 points and upset the Super Bowl runner-up San Francisco 49ers at home as a five-point underdog.
How the hell are they doing this? Among several factors and standout players, the Vikings’ roster depth is shining through beyond the shadow of a doubt. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has used three fruitful offseasons to begin his young career in the Twin Cities, reshaping the salary cap, jettisoning bloated contracts, and onboarding youthful alternatives to achieve the utmost roster depth — that arguably hasn’t been seen in 7-14 years, depending on the eye of the beholder.
And that’s all after the executive has been chided by fans for a poor 2022 draft class where defenders like Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth didn’t pan out. Ever so quietly, however, 2022 draft contributors like Jalen Nailor, Ty Chandler, and Ed Ingram are beginning to stand off the page; they just took longer than some wanted.
CBS Sports even identified the Vikings’ key to recent success this week. Cody Benjamin named one surprise item from each NFL team heading into Week 3, and for Minnesota, roster depth stood on business.
“Their depth is legit. Down Justin Jefferson late against the San Francisco 49ers, they still outlasted the reigning NFC champions to go to 2-0. Sam Darnold has been sharp and surprisingly poised as well,” Benjamin declared.
Who are the depth pieces? Easy — Chandler and Nailor have ensured the Vikings’ offense doesn’t encounter three-and-out ruts, which undid Minnesota, at times, in 2021, 2022, and 2023. WR4 Brandon Powell is invaluable. The defense has a litany of unsung depth performers. Jihad Ward and Patrick Jones II can attest.
Jones II, for example, ranks second in the NFL in sacks (4) behind Detroit Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson. Jones II played like a beast in Sunday’s win over San Francisco, chipping off 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, and a mind-bogglingly productive 88.2 Pro Football Focus grade. When the 2024 campaign began last weekend, most Vikings fans narrowly focused on Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner at the top of the ticket. But somehow, Jones II has topped them all through two games.
That’s just one example. Minnesota has plenty.
At least for two games, the Vikings’ roster has reached a point where it’s not utterly doomsday when the “next man up” motto is required.
It’s how Super Bowl contenders are built.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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