ESPN Drops Bold Ranking for Vikings Playmakers
The Minnesota Vikings’ roster doesn’t currently showcase too many weaknesses, and if forced to choose, fans for damn sure wouldn’t pick the offensive weapons.
ESPN revealed its 2025 rankings of NFL playmaker groups, and the Vikings posted a strong showing ahead of a season when the excitement is through the roof.
And that’s probably why ESPN ranked Minnesota’s weapon stable so highly this week.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell established a pecking order of playmaker groups, less than two months before the start of the regular season, and the Vikings checked in at No. 6.
ESPN Shines on Vikings’ Weaponry
A Top 10 finish for Justin Jefferson and Co., according to ESPN.
Vikings’ Playmaker Stable? 6th Best
Sandwiched between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 7 and the Los Angeles Rams at No. 5, Barnwell gave Minnesota its flowers at No. 6.
He wrote, “A true superstar receiver goes a long way, as Justin Jefferson is one of the two best wideouts in the game alongside Ja’Marr Chase. The Vikings star combines elite volume with efficiency (2.6 yards per route run), and while he benefits from a coach in Kevin O’Connell who does a great job of creating opportunities and space, Jefferson hasn’t exactly had Joe Burrow at quarterback in Minnesota.”
“Jefferson is a Hall of Fame-caliber talent and 26 years old. You shouldn’t need me to tell you he is good. The players around him might not be as sturdy as they seemed a year ago. Jordan Addison averaged 1.8 yards per route run in his second season, but there’s a distinct possibility the 23-year-old will be suspended for part of the 2025 season after he’s tried on DUI charges this month.”
It’s no surprise that Jefferson and Addison led the way in the court of public opinion; they’re the lifeblood of Minnesota’s passing attack.
New Blood, Too
Minnesota has also added newcomers this offseason from free agency and the draft to prop up Jefferson, Addison, and others.
These are the Vikings’ playmaking additions from the offseason:
- Gavin Bartholomew (TE)
- Tai Felton (WR)
- Jordan Mason (WR)
- Rondale Moore (WR)
- Tre Stewart (RB)
- Ben Yurosek (TE)
From the list, Felton and Mason, especially, are expected to be Week 1 contributors. Speedy Rondale Moore could turn heads, as well.
The Return of T.J. Hockenson for a Full Season
T.J. Hockenson returned midseason in 2024 from a torn ACL that he suffered in December 2023. While Hockenson played decently, he didn’t quite have his typical impact.
But in September, Hockenson will have a full offseason with the Vikings in his rearview for the first time since the summer of 2023.
Barnwell noted on Hockenson, “T.J. Hockenson is healthy after missing part of the 2024 season while recovering from a torn ACL, but the former Lions first-rounder didn’t score a touchdown and saw his efficiency retreat to where it had been with Detroit (1.7 YPRR) versus where it stood in Minnesota before the injury in 2023 (2.0).”
“That’s the difference between a good tight end and a Pro Bowler, and although that could be variance, I’d like to see that 2023 version of Hockenson again.”
Jordan Mason in the House
An unsung offseason addition, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded for Mason from the San Francisco 49ers in March, only costing a 6th-Round pick. He’ll be used to take the bellcow load off Aaron Jones, who will turn 31 in December.
Mason, in theory, should excel in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Barnwell on Jones and Mason: “Aaron Jones Sr. racked up 1,546 yards from scrimmage in his debut season with the Vikings, but he wasn’t great near the goal line and fumbled five times, including a midseason stretch with four fumbles across seven quarters. The Vikings have suggested they want to ease the burden on Jones by giving meaningful work to Jordan Mason, who was acquired from the 49ers this offseason.”
“Mason was wildly efficient in San Francisco, but that team is running back heaven, and he also fumbled three times on 164 touches in 2024. I’d expect this offense to keep humming, but a lot of the players around Jefferson have something to prove.”
Eagles’ Playmakers Lead the Way
Barnwell chose the Philadelphia Eagles as the pace-setter in 2025.
He explained, “After years of top-10 finishes, the Eagles did just enough to earn the top spot. Their big addition last offseason was a key difference-maker. Saquon Barkley stayed healthy, and while he certainly benefited from playing next to Jalen Hurts and behind a great offensive line, he produced one of the greatest seasons by any back in NFL history.”
“He topped 2,000 rushing yards, led the league in just about every advanced metric for a running back and added 278 receiving yards and two scores. The Tush Push cost Barkley a shot at another handful of short-yardage rushing touchdowns, but he had a truly special campaign.”
The Vikings will play these very Eagles on October 19th.
Barnwell added, “There just aren’t many other backs in the league, with Christian McCaffrey and perhaps Derrick Henry aside, who have a path to that sort of upside. If you prefer the Lions or Bengals to what the Eagles can offer, I wouldn’t take much issue. This is a narrow race at the top.”
“When a team can field a top-five wideout, another top-15 wideout and a guy coming off one of the best running back seasons in NFL history on any given snap, though, I don’t think anyone can take much issue with Philadelphia having the best group of playmakers in football.”
The Detroit Lions pulled down the No. 2 ranking, with the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 3.
And there you have it: J.J. McCarthy will acclimate to the NFL with the league’s sixth-best weapon assortment.
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