Quick Vikings thoughts
Offense:
QB: J.J. McCarthy, Sam Howell, Brett Rypien
McCarthy’s the guy after his knee’s healed up, and he’s got the keys to Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Howell’s a solid backup with starter upside if he can clean up his turnovers. Rypien’s just there for emergencies.
RB: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, C.J. Ham, Zavier Scott
Jones is still a stud, but Mason’s addition from San Fran gives them a legit 1-2 punch. Ham’s a fullback who blocks like a lineman, and Scott’s a depth piece with some juice.
WR: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Tai Felton, Jalen Nailor, Rondale Moore, Tim Jones
Jefferson’s the best in the game, no question. Addison’s WR2 but might miss a game or two if the league drops the hammer on that DUI. Felton, the rookie, could step up early with his speed. Nailor and Moore are fighting for scraps, and Jones is mostly a special teamer.
TE: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Luke Bartholomew
Hockenson’s a top-tier tight end when healthy. Oliver’s a blocking beast, and Bartholomew, the new kid, adds depth and special teams value.
OL: LT Christian Darrisaw, LG Donovan Jackson, C Ryan Kelly, RG Will Fries, RT Brian O’Neill (Backups: Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram, Walter Rouse)
Darrisaw’s a monster when not banged up. Kelly and Fries, free agent pickups, solidify the interior with Jackson, the rookie stud. O’Neill’s steady at RT, and Brandel’s the Swiss Army knife off the bench.
Defense:
DL: Javon Hargrave, Harrison Phillips, Jerry Tillery, Taimani, Jonah Redmond
Hargrave’s a big-ticket signing and a game-wrecker inside. Phillips clogs the run, Tillery’s got some pass-rush pop, and the others are rotational guys.
EDGE: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Bo Richter, Gabriel Murphy
Greenard and Van Ginkel are Pro Bowl-level terrors off the edge. Turner’s ready to break out in year two under Flores. Richter and Murphy are young hustlers.
LB: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr., Eric Wilson, Kobe King
Cashman and Pace are a nasty duo—smart and fast. Wilson and King handle backup duties and special teams.
CB: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Dwight McGlothern, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, Zemaiah Vaughn
Murphy’s locked in as CB1, and Rodgers brings speed. Okudah’s a wildcard—could shine or flop. McGlothern and Blackmon are scrapping for CB3, and Vaughn’s a depth guy. Still feels like they need one more corner.
S: Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
Smith’s still got it, and Metellus is a Swiss Army knife. Jackson steps up with Bynum gone, and Ward’s a special teams ace.
Special Teams:
K: Will Reichard
P: Ryan Wright
LS: Andrew DePaola
Same crew as last year. Reichard’s reliable, Wright’s got a big leg, and DePaola’s a pro.
Quick Take: Vikings went all-in on the trenches with Hargrave, Kelly, Fries, and Jackson. McCarthy’s the future, but they need him to stay upright behind that revamped line. Defense looks fierce with Flores scheming, but cornerback depth’s a question mark. Addison’s suspension risk could shake up the WR rotation early.