These 3 Vikings Need More Playing Time
The Minnesota Vikings have started the 2024 campaign with an unbeaten record, running the streak to 5-0 on Sunday in London versus the New York Jets.
These 3 Vikings Need More Playing Time
Oddsmakers believed Minnesota would win about 6.5 games in 2024, and the purple team may accomplish that feat by Halloween.
Now, the bye week is underway, and with five games in the books, these three Vikings players could use a little more playing time.
3. C.J. Ham (FB)
Ham scored Minnesota’s only offensive touchdown on Sunday in London, and he’s actually experienced more offensive snaps than usual out of the gate in 2024.
His pass protection and running blocking are habitually solid, and until T.J. Hockenson returns in a couple of weeks, the Vikings should lean into Ham for more offensive assignments. He isn’t unusually dynamic, but he is steady. Any Vikings fan can attest.
2. Taki Taimani (DT)
No Vikings fan — even intense ones who read articles like this — knew who Taki Taimani was back in April. But he ended up in Minnesota via undrafted free agency, clawing his way up the depth chart and earning a spot on the 53-man roster at the end of the summer.
Through five weeks, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has thrust Taimani into action on 56 defensive plays, where the young defensive tackle has earned a 61.0 Pro Football Focus grade. That’s better than anyone could ask for, especially from an unknown UDFA. His run-stopping grade of 71.7 is especially noteworthy.
The Vikings don’t have major qualms with the defensive line, but more Taimani snaps will not hurt.
1. Dallas Turner (OLB)
The Vikings have “too many” good pass rushers. That’s the rub entering the bye.
Veterans Patrick Jones II and Jihad Ward have contributed wonderfully in reservist roles, while free-agent acquisitions Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard have wholly erased any apprehension about letting Danielle Hunter leave for the Houston Texans months ago.
Now, it’s time to kickstart Turner a bit, especially after the rookie pass rusher recovered from an early-season knee injury.
These are Turner’s snap counts through five games, with the caveat he missed Week 3 versus the Houston Texans with a knee injury:
- at Giants = 36 Snaps
- vs. 49ers = 18 Snaps
- vs. Texans = 0 Snaps
- at Packers = 11 Snaps
- vs. Jets = 13 Snaps
Minnesota spent a lot of trade capital to acquire Turner, and he should be ready for an increased workload. Give it to him.
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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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