Surprise Starters Could Shake up Vikings Season
Every summer, a Minnesota Vikings player or two come out of the woodwork to turn heads, make an impact, and flirt with a starter’s job for the regular season.
A few unsung Vikings players could land starting jobs in 2025. These are those men to watch with training camp approaching.
The 2025 campaign is not exceptional in this regard, and a few Vikings players, like cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, could end up starting in September — performers who fans aren’t necessarily thinking about.
Listed alphabetically, these are players who end up starting for the Vikings, ones that might surprise casual fans.
1. Mekhi Blackmon (CB)
The Vikings’ offseason debate about cornerbacks has primarily involved Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, a discussion that questions whether those two are enough to headline the CB room in 2025.
But this day and age in the NFL, three cornerbacks typically start, and whether on the outside or the inside, Blackmon could easily be the third corner in Brian Flores’ defense.
Blackmon played wonderfully as a rookie two seasons ago, but a torn ACL wiped away his second act at 2024 training camp. Now, however, Blackmon is back, and he might just undertake a starter’s snap count. As training camp nears, he’s a man to circle.
2. Tai Felton (WR)
Jordan Addison should get a verdict or reach a settlement stemming from his 2024 DUI charge in Los Angeles. If Addison is found guilty and/or the NFL holds him accountable, he’d likely miss the season’s first three games.
That puts Felton in line for a WR3 role or so if one assumes his summer goes well.
The Vikings’ WR corps might look like this from Weeks 1 through 3:
- Justin Jefferson
- Jalen Nailor
- Tai Felton
- Rondale Moore
What Other Surprise Starters Could Emerge for the Vikings?
A handful of Vikings players are undercover making a case for starters’ roles — and one or two may stun fans come Week 1 if they’re not paying attention.
3. Jeff Okudah (CB)
A popular depth chart website called OurLads.com actually lists Okudah as a starting outside cornerback for the 2025 Vikings, next to Isaiah Rodgers — with Byron Murphy Jr. in the slot.
And truth be told, that might work.
Most have tended to believe that Mekhi Blackmon, mentioned above, will get more snaps than Okudah, but there’s a tiny chance that Okudah finally brings his 1st-Round draft stock from five years ago to life.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote about Okudah this week, “Justin Jefferson knows plenty about new teammate Jeff Okudah’s physical style of play, having experienced it himself a few times in the past. Back in the 2020 NFL draft, Okudah was a star Ohio State cornerback prospect who went No. 3 overall to the Lions. 19 picks later, the Vikings took Jefferson, a somewhat polarizing wide receiver prospect from LSU.”
“Their careers have turned out completely differently, with Jefferson on track to be a Hall of Famer and Okudah now on his fourth team in the last four seasons. But despite Okudah’s struggles, he’s made Jefferson feel his presence in their matchups against one another. After a year with Atlanta, Okudah spent last season with the Texans and once again missed a big chunk of time due to injury.”
Jefferson later called Okudah “annoying” in a complimentary way. Being annoying is Okudah’s job.
Ragatz added, “The Vikings signed the 26-year-old to a one-year, $2.35 million deal this spring. Okudah has had a hard time staying on the field and hasn’t played very well when he’s been healthy, but the Vikings believe he may still have some untapped upside.”
“Although his coverage ability will dictate how much he plays in Minnesota, it helps that he’s proven to be a good run defender and tackler.”
4. Justin Skule (OT)
Christian Darrisaw may or may not be ready for the start of the season, and if not, a veteran newcomer named Justin Skule from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be in line to start out of the gate.
Of course, folks hope Darrisaw will be ready after his October 2024 ACL tear. For now, that’s just a hopeful theory.
Skule notched a 69.2 Pro Football Focus grade last season with the Buccaneers while playing 362 offensive snaps at offensive tackle. Not bad — especially for a non-starter.
Vikings.com Lindsey Young wrote last month at organized team activities (OTAs), “Veteran newcomer Justin Skule filled in at left tackle for Christian Darrisaw, who is recovering from a knee injury he suffered in Week 8.”
A rubber stamp observation to start if Darrisaw isn’t ready on September 8th.
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