4 Vikings Overachievers No One Saw Coming
At 2-2, the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 campaign could bend either way, but with the assistance of continued overachievers’ performance, the club might have a shot at a Wildcard playoff berth in January.
On the current depth chart, the Minnesota Vikings employ a handful of players who have stood off the page through four weeks of the regular season.
Four somewhat unsung players have turned heads out of the gate in 2025, and the Vikings have needed their output because of injuries to others.
Here’s a peek at the main overachievers.
Who’s Overachieving for the Vikings? We Have Answers.
The guys are doing their part, which may not have been expected a few months ago.
1. Jordan Mason (RB)
Jordan Mason entered the season as Minnesota’s RB2, and within a half hour of the first game (at the Chicago Bears), it appeared the coaching staff might value him as the RB1. Fast forward six days, and Jones hurt his hamstring, fully paving the way for Mason to grab the RB1 job — if it wasn’t his already.
Mason is suddenly on pace for about 1,150 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, which is sweet because he was supposed to play second fiddle in 2025 to Jones.
Don’t look now, but Mason is Minnesota’s RB1, and he likely won’t hand the job back to Jones when Jones returns from injured reserve.
2. Jalen Redmond (DT)
Redmond is posting EDGE rusher numbers. He’s a … defensive tackle. The former UFLer is on pace for 13 sacks, which shouldn’t be allowed for a no-name in NFL-speak.
Heading into Week 5, Pro Football Focus claims Redmond is the NFL’s second-best interior defensive lineman, a surprising and impressive development, considering a couple of months ago, Minnesota’s main defensive tackles were Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Harrison Phillips.
Redmond is a revelation.
Our Kyle Joudry on Redmond a couple of weeks ago, “Mr. Redmond has already done some really good work. The former undrafted player got brought to Minnesota after thriving in the UFL. His debut season with the Vikings meant forcing his way into the starting lineup, overcoming veteran Jerry Tillery along the way. Redmond’s 2024 finished with 18 tackles, 1 sack, 6 tackles for loss, and 2 passes defended in limited work. The good times have continued for Jalen Redmond in 2025.”
“Already sitting on a trio of starts, Redmond has 10 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble. Most recently, Redmond was part of the waves of defensive linemen who made life difficult for former Viking Jake Browning. The final stats show a pair of tackles alongside a forced fumble in what was a noticeable day for the defensive lineman.’
3. Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
Rodgers had never consistently started at cornerback in the NFL, mainly because he gambled and got caught by the NFL a couple of years ago, missing his entire 2023 season due a suspension.
But the Vikings took a flyer on his free agency, and so far, the return is just magnificent.
Rodgers produced one of the greatest individual games in Vikings history against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, scoring two mammoth defensive touchdowns, forcing two fumbles, and playing error-free pass coverage.
PFF calls Rodgers the second-best cornerback in the business.
PPTSD’s Janik Eckardt noted on Rodgers this week, “Rodgers spent his first four seasons in the NFL in a rotational role, but the coordinator viewed him as a full-time starter. Just like he was right about Blake Cashman or Andrew Van Ginkel, he nailed his Rodgers evaluation. In his four games with the Vikings, Rodgers has made 14 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles, and he scored twice.”
“According to PFF, Rodgers has been targeted 16 times, allowing nine receptions for 41 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception, resulting in a passer rating of 42.2. He’s also gotten a Minnesota Vikings team-high defensive grade of 85.9. So far, Rodgers has been a bargain. His contract is worth up to $15 million for two seasons, and not only has he been a superstar for the Vikings, but he’s also been the fastest player in nearly a decade.’
4. Jay Ward (S)
Ward has seen action on 54 plays, and for his efforts, PFF has assigned a 75.4 grade. He took on a more prominent role when Harrison Smith missed the first two games, lessening when Smith returned in Week 3.
The Vikings drafted Ward in Round 4 two and a half years ago, and he’s just now seeing noteworthy action on defense. He previously manned a special teams role.
His pass coverage score of 71.0 is also impressive. Ward is the next man up if injuries affect Smith, Josh Metellus, or Theo Jackson.
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