4 Non-Rookie Breakout Candidates for the Vikings in 2024
![Tabs Unlikely](https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/USATSI_21183481.jpg)
The Minnesota Vikings will soon fire up mandatory minicamp in June, training camp in July, the preseason in August, and the regular season in September.
4 Non-Rookie Breakout Candidates for the Vikings in 2024
Indeed, meaningful Vikings happenings are on the way as the franchise seeks to improve on a wayward 7-10 season in 2023.
And inside that quest, these are four non-rookie breakout candidates to monitor, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely to break out).
4. Ed Ingram (RG)
![Ingram Starting](https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/USATSI_18871217-edited-788x444.jpg)
Ingram produced a 59.9 Pro Football Focus grade in 2023, up slightly for his rookie season. In fact, the young guard only really played poorly in his first handful of games as a rookie. Because it was a first impression — and Vikings often don’t have patience for rookies’ development, in general — some wrote him off as no good.
But Ingram played well in Year No. 2, and he might take the leap in Year No. 3 as many young players do.
3. Ty Chandler (RB)
![Monitor Key Offensive](https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22119452-666x444.jpg)
The beholder of 4.38 speed, Chandler will split RB1-RB2 duties with Aaron Jones in 2024. The North Carolina alumnus put a thumbprint on the 2023 season in December and January and actually felt in line for a possible bellcow RB1 gig when this offseason kicked off.
If Jones gets injured — he’s old and injury-prone — Chandler will be the next man up. He’ll make the most of his opportunity, building on his wonderful finish in 2023.
2. Mekhi Blackmon (CB)
![Breakout Candidates](https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/USATSI_21884763-666x444.jpg)
Blackmon was the NFL’s 32nd-best overall cornerback back in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus, a superb mark for a rookie and a decent grade for anybody. About 90 cornerbacks play football on any given Sunday, and Blackmon was near the NFL’s best one-third.
He should be able to build upon a noteworthy rookie season, and with only Byron Murphy and possibly Shaquill Griffin ahead of him on the depth chart, Blackmon will have the opportunity to shine.
1. Sam Darnold (QB)
![Vegas Odds](https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_16793997-788x444.jpg)
When Darnold last started in the NFL two years ago, he didn’t play poorly at all.
QB Rankings | 2022,
EPA + CPOE:
(min. 125 att)
- Patrick Mahomes (.178)
- Tua Tagovailoa (.148)
- Jalen Hurts (.143)
- Josh Allen (.137)
- Sam Darnold (.128)
- Jimmy Garoppolo (.128)
- Joe Burrow (.126)
There’s a plausible chance that he will pull off a Baker Mayfield-like tale in 2023, convincing everyone that he’s a decent start after all. The VIkings’ offense was molded in paradise for any quarterback, Darnold included.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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