5 Unsung Heroes for the Vikings in 2024
The 13-2 Minnesota Vikings will embark on the postseason in about two weeks.
5 Unsung Heroes for the Vikings in 2024
The next step is determining if Minnesota enters the dance as a Wildcard participant or division champ. The Vikings can clinch homefield advantage throughout the postseason if it wins the next two games (vs. Green Bay Packers, at Detroit Lions).
It took a village to grab the 13-2 record, and these are five unsung Vikings heroes to date. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important).
5. Trent Sherfield (WR, Special Teams)
Sherfield isn’t a target hog on offense, but his impact can be felt each game on special teams.
Few knew that he would inhabit a special teams role when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed him last March — most thought he’d audition for WR3 or WR4 — but Sherfield has gripped the special teams job by the throat and refused to let go.
He might even be back in 2025.
4. Josh Oliver (TE)
Oliver showcased a month-long stretch in the autumn when he played like a TE1. The timing was quite odd because T.J. Hockenson had just returned to the lineup.
He’s logged 3 touchdowns and 242 receiving yards so far in 2024, and per usual, his run-blocking is upper-echelon. There’s a reason Minnesota signed this guy in 2023 free agency — he’s a dirty work tight end.
3. Jalen Redmond (DT)
A sudden tackle for loss savant, casual Vikings fans didn’t even really know who Jalen Redmond was about two months ago.
The XFL transplant has thrived in purple, ranking fourth in the NFL among all interior defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus. Redmond has stacked enough sweet plays to prove he belongs in the big leagues.
He might even be back with the Vikings in 2025 and beyond.
2. Byron Murphy (CB)
Don’t look now, but Byron Murphy will probably visit his first Pro Bowl.
The man has 6 interceptions in 2024, proving he belongs on Minnesota’s roster for the long haul, even if he’s scheduled to hit free agency in 2.5 months.
Last season, Murphy’s first in the Twin Cities, he played “okay,” This year, he’s a Pro Bowl talent.
1. Sam Darnold (QB)
This is Darnold’s statistical 17-game pace in 2024:
- 4,286 Passing Yards
- 38 Total Touchdowns
- 13 Interceptions
Purple fans would’ve been happy with 25 touchdowns and 3,200 passing yards. But nope — Darnold has vastly exceeded expectations.
He’s the Vikings’ top unsung hero of 2025.
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 MIN 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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