1. Offensive Tackles
LT Christian Darrisaw
RT Brian O’Neill
Backups:
Blake Brandel
Oli Udoh
Vederian Lowe
Jacky Chen
Sam Schlueter
Alan Ali
This is easy. In two seasons, Christian Darrisaw has emerged as one of the best offensive tackles in the game. In five seasons, Brian O’Neill has developed into one of the better right tackles in the league. Unfortunately, Darrisaw and O’Neill missed a few games last year. Blake Brandel and Oli Udoh had to step up. They did. The Vikings have a recent history of horrid offensive line play. Right now, the starting tackles have the potential to be the best bookend tackles in franchise history. And the backups can play.
2. Long Snapper
Andrew DePaola
Andrew DePaola is one of the league’s best long snappers.
3. Receivers
Justin Jefferson
K.J. Osborn
Jordan Addison
Jalen Nailor
Jalen Reagor
Brandon Powell
Trishton Jackson
Blake Proehl
Lucky Jackson
Cephus Johnson
Malik Knowles
Thayer Thomas
Garrett Haag
This ranking is mostly due to the greatness of Justin Jefferson. K.J. Osborn deserves a chance to be #2. Jordan Addison was drafted to be and has the talent to be a wonderful #1b. I like the potential of Jalen Nailor. In Jefferson, Osborn, Addison, and Nailor, the Vikings have a terrific, young receiver group. There’s a wide open competition for receiver #5. Or 6.
4. Safeties
Harrison Smith
Camryn Bynum
Lewis Cine
Josh Metellus
Jay Ward
Theo Jackson
Harrison Smith has been one of the league’s best safeties since he was drafted in 2012. With Brian Flores calling the defense, this could be one of his best seasons. That’s a very high bar. Camryn Bynum was solid in his first season as a starter. Lewis Cine was drafted to be a cornerstone of the Vikings secondary. He’s coming back from a brutal injury. He has the talent to be special. Through the OTAs, Josh Metellus has been the most versatile and curious Vikings defensive player. It looks like he’s going to be a chess piece for Flores. Safety, nickel, linebacker, pass rusher, a bit of everything. Similar to the apparent future for Metellus, Jay Ward was drafted in the fourth round to play all over the secondary. He’s listed as a safety but he’s as likely to be with the cornerbacks. I expect him to be a versatile defender for years. About a decade ago, Theo Jackson would’ve topped the Vikings safety depth chart. He’s a very good football player. Right now, the Vikings have four legitimate NFL starters in their safety room. Smith, Bynum, Cine, and Metellus. With Ward, I expect the Vikings to keep five safeties.
5. Outside Linebackers
Danielle Hunter
Marcus Davenport
Patrick Jones II
D.J. Wonnum
Luiji Vilain
Andre Carter II
Curtis Weaver
Benton Whitley
This ranking is based on the assumption that the Vikings will work out the contract issues of Danielle Hunter. He and Marcus Davenport have the talent to be one of the best pass rush duos in the league. I’m excited to see both in Brian Flores’ defense. While there is some potential behind Hunter and Davenport, it is all just potential. Patrick Jones II and D.J. Wonnum are playing for their next NFL contract. Whether that is with the Vikings is up to their play this year. Rookie undrafted free agent Andre Carter II is a player to watch. Prior to his final season at Army, he was projected to be one of the top pass rushers in the draft. He fell in the draft because he’s a raw talent. A very raw talent. But the talent is definitely there and it’s on a freakishly long 6’6” frame.
6. Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
Johnny Mundt
Nick Muse
Ben Sims
The Vikings acquired T.J. Hockenson at the trade deadline last season. He immediately became target #2. He’s probably target #2, after Justin Jefferson, for the remainder of his time with the Vikings. Hopefully, that is a long and productive time. Josh Oliver was a priority free agency signing of the Vikings this offseason. The tampering period was about an hour old and Oliver had agreed to be a Viking. Fast stuff. Initially, I thought that his signing was for the running game. He’d been a devastating edge blocker for the Baltimore Ravens. I have such fond memories of Jim Kleinsasser obliterating edge defenders. Is Oliver going to be another Kleinsasser? Oliver has the talent to be so much more than he’s been. Hockenson, Oliver, Johnny Mundt. All have shown the ability to impact a defense.
7. Fullback
C.J. Ham
Zach Ojile
C.J. Ham is one of the best fullbacks in the league.
8. Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins
Nick Mullens
Jaren Hall
Kirk Cousins is one of the better starting quarterbacks in the league. Nick Mullens is one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league. Jaren Hall is a rookie with some intriguing tools.
9. Running Backs
Alexander Mattison
Ty Chandler
Kene Nwangwu
DeWayne McBride
This is an interesting group. With Dalvin Cook’s release this offseason, Alexander Mattison is finally getting a shot to be the lead back. He’s shown potential while backing up Cook and in spot starts. He’s ready. With their speed, Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu are nice compliments to Mattison. Despite being drafted in the seventh round, DeWayne McBride has the running talent to be the Vikings back of the future. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s getting some important carries by the end of the season.
10. Inside Linebackers
Jordan Hicks
Brian Asamoah
Troy Dye
Troy Reader
Ivan Pace Jr.
William Kwenkeu
Wilson Huber
Jordan Hicks is the veteran leader. He’ll likely be the quarterback of the defense. The Vikings released Eric Kendricks partly to make room for Brian Asamoah. He’s going to make plays all over the field. Asamoah is my top breakout player for the Vikings. There will be a wide open competition for the backup spots. I really like the potential of undrafted free agent Ivan Pace Jr. I see him as an eventual starter.
11. Punter
Ryan Wright
Ryan Wright was terrific as a rookie last season. If he continues to progress, the Vikings are set at punter for a while.
12. Cornerbacks
Byron Murphy Jr.
Akayleb Evans
Andrew Booth Jr.
Mekhi Blackmon
Joejuan Williams
Tay Gowan
Kalon Barnes
C.J. Coldon Jr.
Najee Thompson
Jaylin Williams
Cornerback is one of the Vikings biggest unknowns. It’s a young group topped by free agent addition Byron Murphy Jr. I like the talent and potential of the group. The competition to start with Murphy is wide open. Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., and Mekhi Blackmon are the top contenders. Cornerback is circled as a Vikings weakness by most pundits. I think that it’s going to be a surprising strength.
13. Guards
Ezra Cleveland
Ed Ingram
Chris Reed
The Vikings offensive line is finally heading in the right direction. Most of that is on the team’s excellent tackles. The interior of the line had too many low moments. It resulted in Kirk Cousins being hit way too many times. Ezra Cleveland and Ed Ingram have to get better. The potential is there. Chris Reed is a solid, versatile backup.
14. Kicker
Greg Joseph
Jack Podlesny
Greg Joseph had a lot of high moments last season. He had several clutch, game-winning kicks. He still missed an infuriating number of extra points. Undrafted free agent Jack Podlesny will compete with Joseph in training camp.
15. Center
Garrett Bradbury
Austin Schlottman
Josh Sokol
Garrett Bradbury had his best season last season. It earned him a second contract. He still has to get better. He has to play to that first round status. Austin Schlottman proved to be a solid backup. When he was lost to injury, the Vikings offensive line play plummeted.
16. Defensive Line
Harrison Phillips
Dean Lowry
Khyiris Tonga
Jonathan Bullard
Esezi Otomewo
Jaquelin Roy
James Lynch
Ross Blacklock
Calvin Avery
T.J. Smith
Junio Aho
I think that defensive line is the Vikings biggest unknown. I see the group as a bigger unknown than cornerback. Harrison Phillips is the only certain starter. The key to the group now and moving forward might be second-year Esezi Otomewo and rookie Jaquelin Roy. I see both as eventual starters. Perhaps as early as this season. The Vikings really need this group to emerge.
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