The 5 Unsung Players Who Could Determine Vikings Success
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to win only about six or seven games in 2024, an underwhelming forecast as oddsmakers are not impressed with Sam Darnold at quarterback.
The 5 Unsung Players Who Could Determine Vikings Success
Minnesota also finished 7-10 last year, although quarterback injuries destroyed the 2023 season.
Every NFL team has unsung personnel — players not necessarily on tap for Pro Bowls — and these are the Vikings examples in 2024 listed alphabetically. If one or some of these men shine, well, the Vikings could damn near nibble at playoff contention.
1. Sam Darnold (QB)
A no-brainer as an x-factor, nobody knows how Sam Darnold will perform in 2024. He’s never had a prolonged stretch of success in the pros, but some fans claim Minnesota will serve as a geographical cure. If that’s true and Darnold finally begins to effectuate his 2018 draft stock, the sky is the limit for Minnesota’s offense.
Not for nothing, Darnold can play free and loose knowing J.J. McCarthy is unavailable to take his job in 2024. McCarthy tore his meniscus three weeks ago and is out for all of 2024.
2. Shaquill Griffin (CB)
Because Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL in July, Griffin’s presence on the depth chart became important — damn near vital — alongside Byron Murphy, Stephon Gilmore, and others.
The Houston Texans parted ways with Griffin midseason last year, simply because they didn’t need him. He’ll need a career rejuvenation in Minnesota. And the Vikings’ cornerback is already concerning, so Griffin has the x-factor feel.
3. Aaron Jones (RB)
In back-to-back seasons (2022 and 2023), the Vikings have ranked 27th in the NFL per rushing DVOA — also known as sixth-worst in the sport.
Jones is an imperative candidate because he alone can aid the remedial process. If he plays like he did in Green Bay last December and January, Minnesota’s ground game can be fixed with the snap of two fingers. However, Jones must stay healthy, a large ask for an aging running back. He’ll turn 30 in December.
4. Jerry Tillery (DT)
A former 1st-Round pick like Darnold, Tillery has one last shot to prove he’s a starter in the NFL. Perhaps the time has passed for him to prove he’s a Pro Bowl-caliber starter, but the Vikings will give him one more shot to shine.
Fans are starved for a standout DT, and if Tillery disappoints, it’s back to the drawing board at DT, as Minnesota hasn’t showcased a dominant version since Kevin Williams left in 2013.
5. Jalen Nailor (WR)
For months, Vikings fans wondered, “What are they doing at WR3?” And the tone was worrisome.
Well, Jalen Nailor was what they were doing — they trusted the third-year speedster all along. It helped when Nailor showed up to training camp and preseason and dazzled, staying healthy to boot.
He’s crucial to the Vikings’ 2024 offense because Jordan Addison might eventually get suspended for a legal infraction. Minnesota would turn to Nailor as WR3 in Addison’s stead. Meanwhile, the Vikings roll into 2024 with the aforementioned Darnold at quarterback and can’t really afford to employ a blasé WR3.
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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