First, here are the 10 Vikings that Lewis listed.
1. Lewis Cine, S
2. Gabriel Murphy, Edge
3. Jerry Tillery, DT
4. Sam Darnold, QB
5. Jalen Nailor, WR
6. Will Reichard, K
7. Andrew Booth Jr., CB
8. Jaquelin Roy, DT
9. Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT
10. Blake Brandel, G
That’s a fine and accurate list. All are players that intrigue me. But to be honest, all 91 players currently on the roster intrigue me.
All eyes are always on the quarterbacks. Since 2018, that’s been Kirk Cousins in Minnesota. Now, he’s in Atlanta and there’s loads of attention, local and national, on the Vikings quarterbacks. Sam Darnold was signed early in the offseason to provide a veteran presence and to start out as the starter. J.J. McCarthy was selected with the 10th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to be the quarterback of the future, and perhaps present. No one needs a list of players to watch to know that Darnold and McCarthy are players to watch.
So, my list skips the quarterbacks. The Vikings had a number of pressing needs to fill this offseason. Other than finding a starter at left guard, nearly all of those pressing needs are on the defensive side of the ball. Through free agency and the draft, the Vikings did a good job of addressing those needs. At edge, they brought in quality and quantity. After losing Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum, that group was entirely remade. Inside linebacker and cornerback were addressed. Safety didn’t need to be. When there’s a load of needs it’s difficult to address them all. The Vikings defensive line group had token, but intriguing, additions and is very much a work in progress. Defensive line is where my list starts.
1. Jaquelin Roy, DT
A fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jaquelin Roy flashed at times last season. I’ve been guilty of expecting big things from recent mid-round defensive linemen like Armon Watts, James Lynch, and Esezi Otomewo. Roy is the next one. Harrison Phillips is a solid presence on the line. He’s really the only proven player on the defensive line. After several years as a journeyman, Jonathan Bullard emerged last year as a good rotational player. After that, it’s all question marks. I like Roy to step up and make an impact this year.
2. Jerry Tillery, DT
Jerry Tillery was once a first round pick in one of the best defensive tackle drafts in league history. That 2019 first round was loaded with DTs. Quinnen Williams, Ed Oliver, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, and Jeffery Simmons were his first round mates. Those five are among the best defensive tackles in the league. Each has received a giant second contract. The only defensive tackle selected in that first round that hasn’t received a giant second contract is Tillery. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, the Vikings are his third team. His most impactful season was probably last season with the Las Vegas Raiders. With that in mind, he’s on an upward trajectory. If the Vikings coaches and environment can get Tillery to play to the talent that made him a player worthy of being a first round pick, he might be the steal of the offseason.
3. Levi Drake Rodriguez, DT
The Vikings selected Levi Drake Rodriguez in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He started his college career at Southwestern Assemblies of God University and transferred to Texas A&M-Commerce. The small school player is one of the most intriguing of the Vikings rookies. His enthusiasm and personality is infectious. He’s driven like few players I’ve ever seen. He dominated at the small school level he played but he’s competing at a whole other talent level now. With his drive, commitment, and energy, I see only two career outcomes for him. He either doesn’t have the talent for this level or he’s a big-time surprise. If it’s the former, we’ll see it pretty early. If it’s the latter, we’re all in for a treat.
4. Khyree Jackson, CB
After selecting hopeful franchise-changers in the first round with J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, the Vikings didn’t pick again until the start of the third day. That pick was Oregon corner Khyree Jackson. At a ridiculous 6’4”, he’s already the biggest cornerback in the league. He also has the smooth movements of a much smaller player. He was available in the fourth round because of a circuitous college career that took from a junior college to a deli counter to another junior college to Alabama and finally to Oregon. His biggest mark was made in that final year at Oregon. If he’d played even two years at one place like he played last year, he might’ve contended with one-time teammates Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry for selection in the first or second round. Instead, the Vikings grabbed a steal in the fourth round. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jackson is on the field regularly when three corners are on the field.
5. Blake Brandel, G
The one position up for grabs on offense is left guard. Blake Brandel will get the first opportunity to make that position his.
6. Jalen Nailor, WR
The Vikings receiver group is strong at the top with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. K.J. Osborn has been the team’s #3 since 2021. He’s in New England now. Brandon Powell might be penciled in as the #3 right now. Through offseason workouts last year, Jalen Nailor was looking like a breakout candidate. Then, he suffered a leg injury on the first day of training camp. He didn’t return to the field until Week 10. Just as he was shaking off the rust, a concussion sidelined him for the rest of the season. If he can stay on the field, I like Nailor as the Vikings #3 receiver.
7. Andrew Van Ginkel, Edge
Last year, defensive coordinator Brian Flores did wonders with a modestly talented group. That group has been supplemented with talent this year. That talent was also added with this defense in mind. I can not wait to see what Flores has in mind. I can not wait to see the role that the extremely versatile Andrew Van Ginkel has in it. Rush, run, cover. Few defenders in the league can do all three to his level.
8. Dallas Turner, Edge
I didn’t want to pick the quarterbacks or a first round pick for this list. I can’t help myself with Dallas Turner. I have to include the player that I felt the Vikings really had no shot at being in position to select. He was supposed to be a top-10 pick in the draft. If the Vikings were to get the quarterback that they absolutely had to get, there was no way that they’d be able to get Turner as well. No way. Somehow. J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner are in Minnesota. All of the versatility and physical attributes that has me excited about Van Ginkel has me excited abut Turner. Van Ginkel has intriguing talent. Turner has absolutely ridiculous talent. I can’t recall the Vikings ever selecting in the draft a defensive player as freakishly gifted. They’ve selected freaky offensive players like Randy Moss, Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, and Justin Jefferson. Never a defensive player. Chris Doleman and Joey Browner come close. Turner ran a 4.46 and jumped over 40” at the combine. Those are numbers usually associated with unique receivers, corners, and running backs. Few edge rushers do such things. I can’t wait to see Flores send Dallas Turner after opposing offenses.
9. Will Reichard, K
The Vikings must put an end to the kicking woes that have plagued this franchise for decades. As a result, the spotlight is on the kicker selected in the sixth round. A question about Will Reichard is whether he can hit from 60. If he doesn’t miss any extra points or anything from inside 53 yards, I really don’t care if his reach ends inside of 60 yards.
10. Harrison Smith, S
I’m just thrilled that he’s back for his 13th season. I’m going to enjoy every moment that he’s in a Vikings uniform.
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