VikingsTerritory writers were asked to provide one single bold summer prediction apiece for the 2024 Minnesota Vikings. These are those.
Each writer somehow came up with a different selection — a totally random outcome.
9 Bold Summer Predictions for the Vikings
The Vikings put rookie minicamp in the rearview last weekend, setting sights on mandatory minicamp for all players on June 4th. Then, July brings training camp, and the preseason has three games in August.
Here are the VikingsTerritory writers’ bold summer predictions.
1. Vikings Acquire Instant Starter at DT
Prediction Maker = Cole Smith
The Vikings have made several moves in free agency to patch up holes on the defense, but they didn’t make quite the splash on the defensive line’s interior. I see one final push there to solidify what should be an improved DL.
2. Mekhi Blackmon Will Lead Vikings in INTs
Prediction Maker = Ali Siddiqui
The young corner is coming off a nice rookie season. He is in for a sweet sophomore season.
3. Cam Akers Re-Signed
Prediction Maker = Dustin Baker
Once again, Akers will be low-risk per price tag and high reward per upside. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah enjoys his affordable deals, and adding Akers makes a lot of sense for a team currently deficient at RB3.
Akers may not make a humongous thumbprint on 2024 season, but Minnesota will give him another look.
4. Justin Jefferson Extended on His Birthday
Prediction Maker = Kyle Joudry
Justin Jefferson is born on June 16th. His extension gets finished on that date.
5. Andrew Booth Earns Starting CB Gig
Prediction Maker = Janik Eckardt
The 2022 second-rounder has yet to meet expectations in two years with the Vikings. Injuries slowed him down in his rookie season, and he was only a backup as a sophomore, although he showed some promise in limited playing time. His third campaign will be his breakthrough. While there are some rumblings about him ending up on the chopping block, the opposite is the case, as he will beat Shaquill Griffin, Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, and Khyree Jackson and finally land that coveted spot in the starting unit.
6. UDFA OLB Bo Richter Makes the 53-Man Roster
Prediction Maker = Josh Frey
Richter was among the most productive pass rushers in college football last year. The Vikings have acquired oodles of talent at that spot over the past couple of months, but even still, Richter will find a way to stand out in camp.
7. Brandon Powell Emerges a Real Weapon
Prediction Maker = Ted Schwerzler
There has been plenty of talk about needing a third wide receiver, and while bigger names are available, Powell rises to the challenge. No longer behind K.J. Osborn or just returning kicks, he’ll develop a quick rapport with the new quarterbacks and settle into a real role for Minnesota.
9. J.J. McCarthy, T.J. Hockenson Make Season Debuts in Week 7
Prediction Maker = Wes Johnson
The Vikings face a tough stretch of games to start the 2024 season. They match up against arguably three of the top five defenses in the league and sandwich a matchup with the archrival Green Bay Packers in between.
All matchups that might be a bit much for an incoming rookie quarterback to take on initially. A Week 7 matchup at home coming off of a bye seems like a good opportunity to insert McCarthy into the fire, and the team will be doing so with the help of Hockenson, who came off of his knee injury against the very team that injured him. Sharpen your horns. It’s time to pillage.
