Minnesota Vikings (Last Year: 7-10)
Season Summary:
The Vikings had lots of promise last year, but Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury ended all hope.
2024 NFL Season Preview:
Veteran Additions:
QB Sam Darnold, RB Aaron Jones, WR Trent Sherfield, C Dan Feeney, DT Jerry Tillery, DE/OLB Jonathan Greenard, DE/OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, LB Blake Cashman, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, CB Shaq Griffin.
Early Draft Picks:
QB J.J. McCarthy, DE Dallas Turner, CB Khyree Jackson. Vikings Rookie Forecast
Offseason Losses:
QB Kirk Cousins, QB Josh Dobbs, RB Alexander Mattison, WR K.J. Osborn, OT David Quessenberry, G Dalton Risner, DE Danielle Hunter, DE D.J. Wonnum, DE Marcus Davenport, DT Dean Lowry, LB Jordan Hicks, LB Troy Dye, K Greg Joseph.
2024 Minnesota Vikings Offense:
With Kirk Cousins gone, there was some expectation that the Vikings would trade up to as high as No. 4 to obtain their next potential franchise quarterback. They ended up moving one spot to select J.J. McCarthy. The Michigan product has a somewhat high floor, but there isn’t much of a ceiling with him. Some would argue that he projects to be a similar quarterback to Mac Jones, which would make it difficult for Minnesota to maintain long-term success with him.
Then again, it doesn’t take much to succeed when factoring in the great talent the Vikings have at the skill positions. Justin Jefferson is arguably the best receiver in the NFL, while Jordan Addison had a stellar rookie campaign. There’s also T.J. Hockenson, though the dynamic tight end is coming off a torn ACL and may not be 100 percent for much of 2024.
The Vikings received a boost at running back as well. Alexander Mattison was the starter last year, but while he came into the season with some promise, he was ultimately benched for Ty Chandler. Although Chandler looked like the better back, the Vikings wanted an upgrade, so they signed Aaron Jones away from the Packers. Jones is much more talented than Chandler, but he’s also very prone to injury. He had severe issues remaining healthy last year.
Minnesota has a strong offensive line to go along with the electrifying skill players on the roster. The two tackles are terrific, as Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill form one of the best tandems at the positions in the NFL. Darrisaw, in particular, is an exceptional blocker.
The Vikings also have quality blockers in the interior, though the starters there are not as good as the tackles. Guard Ed Ingram is a recent second-round pick with some upside. Dalton Risner is the other guard. He also has potential, as the Vikings were willing to trade the talented Ezra Cleveland to the Jaguars to allow him to enter the starting lineup. Center Garrett Bradbury is coming off a down year after playing well in 2022, so perhaps he’ll be able to rebound this season.
2024 Minnesota Vikings Defense:
The Vikings had a 13-4 record in 2022, but were eliminated from the playoffs in the opening round. The culprit was the defense, which couldn’t stop the Daniel Jones-led Giants. Minnesota hired Brian Flores as its new coordinator, and there was some improvement, as the Vikings went from 31st to 16th in yards allowed.
Only two Vikings registered more than three sacks last year: Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum. Both left via free agency. However, the Vikings replaced them with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Greenard logged 12.5 sacks with the Texans. Van Ginkel had just six sacks, but he’s a do-it-all player who can thrive in run support and coverage. The Vikings also used its second opening-round pick on Dallas Turner, a talented edge rusher who has some injury concerns.
Greenard, Van Ginkel and Turner aren’t the only new linebackers on the roster. The Vikings signed another former Texan, Blake Cashman, to serve as a replacement for the departed Jordan Hicks. He’ll start next to Ivan Pace Jr., an undrafted free agent who just had a shockingly outstanding rookie campaign.
Rounding out the front seven is an underwhelming defensive line. Jerry Tillery is expected to start there, after all. Tillery is a colossal first-round bust whose incompetence will match that of the other starters, Jonathan Bullard and Harrison Phillips. These are three weak players who will ensure that the Vikings don’t improve upon their 27th ranking against the run from last year.
As for the secondary, the Vikings needed to make an addition to improve the group. They signed Shaq Griffin, who has undergone a very inconsistent career. Griffin has looked great at times, but has been torched mercilessly on other occasions. There’s a good chance Flores gets the most out of him. Griffin will start across from Byron Murphy, a talented cornerback who didn’t perform at his best last year. Minnesota has a couple of young players – Mekhi Blackmon, Khyree Jackson – who could push for playing time.
The Vikings’ safety situation is better, as they have a trio of skilled players who can thrive at the position. The most noteworthy is Harrison Smith, who is still performing at a high level despite his age (35). Camryn Bynum was the best of the bunch last year, while the versatile Josh Metellus has developed well since being a sixth-round pick four years ago.
2024 Minnesota Vikings Schedule and Intangibles:
Minnesota’s home-field advantage has been tremendous during the past decade; the team is 64-35 as a host since 2012. However, they were just 2-6 as hosts last year.
The Vikings have endured kicking issues for years. Greg Joseph continued the tradition of letting down the fan base, so the front office drafted Will Reichard in the sixth round.
Ryan Wright finished in the middle of the pack in net punting average, but struggled to pin the opposition inside the 20.
The Vikings could be in an early hole. Following an easy first game, they have to battle the 49ers, Texans, Packers, Jets, Lions, Rams, Colts, and Jaguars in succession.
2024 Minnesota Vikings Rookies:
Go here for the Vikings Rookie Forecast, a page with predictions like which rookie will bust and which rookie will become a solid starter.
2024 Minnesota Vikings Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):
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Update: The Vikings’ projected win total has decreased by one because of J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending injury.
Projection: 5-12 (4th in NFC North)
2023 Projection: 9-8. 2023 Actual Result: 7-10.
2022 Projection: 8-9. 2022 Actual Result: 13-4.
2021 Projection: 8-9. 2021 Actual Result: 8-9.
2020 Projection: 9-7. 2020 Actual Result: 7-9.
2019 Projection: 7-9. 2019 Actual Result: 10-6.
2018 Projection: 9-7. 2018 Actual Result: 8-7-1.
2017 Projection: 8-8. 2017 Actual Result: 13-3.
2016 Projection: 11-5. 2016 Actual Result: 8-8.
NFL Draft Team Grade:
D GradeGoals Entering the 2024 NFL Draft: The Vikings have made it clear that they’re trading up for a quarterback. They acquired Houston’s first-round pick, so they have more ammo than any team in the 11-16 range to trade up for a franchise signal-caller. Ideally, the Vikings wouldn’t reach for one. They also need to bolster their weak defense, which had no answer for Jordan Love in a late meeting last year.
2024 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Minnesota did not manage its resources very well in the 2024 NFL Draft. The team acquired Houston’s first-round pick to trade up for a quarterback, but never used it. What seems to have happened was that the Vikings envisioned moving up for Drake Maye, but the Patriots wouldn’t budge. They were then unwilling to move up more than one selection for J.J. McCarthy. That was at least correct because McCarthy is the same sort of caliber of prospect as Mac Jones, so give the Vikings credit for not panicking.
The Vikings then traded up for Dallas Turner. Some considered this a sharp move, but it really wasn’t. Charlie Campbell reported that Turner would fall because some teams flagged him medically, so Turner being available at No. 17 wasn’t a surprise for most teams. The Vikings, apparently, didn’t get the memo. When the dust settled, Minnesota had no second-day selections and only three picks in the entire 2025 NFL Draft: a first-rounder and two fifths. Ouch.
Minnesota’s third day wasn’t too bad, but no pick made was graded above a B+. This was an extremely discouraging draft for the Vikings, who failed to make significant improvements to their roster, all while squandering way too many resources.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
10. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan – C Grade
When there was speculation that the Patriots were going to draft J.J. McCarthy, I was going to write, “I thought they already drafted Mac Jones.” Well, now the Vikings drafted Mac Jones. McCarthy has a higher floor, but a very low ceiling, much like Jones. I don’t like this pick, but the Vikings at least didn’t give up significant resources to get their man, so I can’t hate on it too much.
17. Dallas Turner, DE, Alabama – C Grade
I don’t like that the Vikings are surrendering third- and fourth-round picks next year to move up just six spots. Dallas Turner may seem like a great value to some, but there are teams that flagged him medically, which is why he has fallen so far. I get the need, and Turner is a great talent, but there’s high risk with this pick.
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108. Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon – B- Grade
Khyree Jackson would have been a second-day selection if he didn’t have any problems. He’s a massive cornerback, but has some character concerns. There’s major potential here, but added risk as well.
177. Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma – B+ Grade
The “other” tackle for the Vikings, Walter Rouse could have gone as early as the fourth round without any complaints. This is a solid pick for the Vikings, who are wise to improve their offensive line depth for J.J. McCarthy and Aaron Jones.
203. Will Reichard, K, Alabama – B Grade
I hate early kicker picks, but taking one in the sixth round is fine. Will Reichard was our top-rated kicker, for what it’s worth, and the Vikings had to fill this need.
230. Michael Jurgens, C, Wake Forest – C Grade
The Vikings needed offensive line depth, so the need makes sense. However, we didn’t have Michael Jurgens as a draftable player. It’s seventh round though, so not a big deal.
232. Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT, Texas A&M Commerce – C Grade
We didn’t have Levi Drake Rodriguez on our radar, even as a UDFA. I guess the Vikings are getting ahead of other teams before the “eighth round,” and reaches are irrelevant here in the final frame.
Season Summary:
The Vikings had lots of promise last year, but Kirk Cousins’ season-ending injury ended all hope.
Offseason Moves:
Team Needs:
- Quarterback: Kirk Cousins is an impending free agent, so the Vikings will have to start over at quarterback if they don’t re-sign him. Signed Sam Darnold
- Defensive Tackle: Minnesota had horrible play from its interior defensive linemen last year, so this position must be targeted. Signed Jerry Tillery
- Two Defensive Ends: Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum are both impending free agents, so they’ll need to be retained or replaced. Signed Jonathan Greenard
- Linebacker: Jordan Hicks is another key free agent. Signed Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman
- Running Back: Alexander Mattison was a huge bust last year. Ty Chandler was better, but Minnesota may want to find a new running back. Signed Aaron Jones
- Wide Receiver: Receiver depth needs to be addressed with K.J. Osborn and Brandon Powell entering free agency.
- Cornerback Depth: Brian Flores did a great job with Minnesota’s secondary, but some cornerback depth is needed.
- Kicker: Greg Joseph is an impending free agent.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2024 NFL Free Agent Signings:
Minnesota Vikings Free Agents:
Salary Cap: TBA.
NFL Free Agent Tracker:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Rumors
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
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