The Minnesota Vikings have a really good roster, but it's the depth players who could break out that are the most interesting.
All of the attention will rightfully be on J.J. McCarthy, as he enters his first season as the starter for the Vikings. Getting all of the reps is going to be a really big deal for his development. Training camp isn't just about McCarthy, as this is a crucial spot for player development.
With the youth on the Vikings roster, there are multiple players who are ready to have a breakout season, and these four fit the bill.
WR Jalen Nailor
The wide receiver position is one the Vikings' strongest at the top with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. They are one of the top duos in the National Football League. What they need after those two is some steady play, and Jalen Nailor looks ready to provide that.
He came into offseason workouts looking jacked with a lot more muscle on his frame than he had previously. Nailor was more of a slender receiver, but now he looks like he's ready to be physical with cornerbacks in the middle of the field. The Vikings will need Nailor to take another step forward this year, especially since Addison is likely to miss three games due to a projected suspension.
Nailor doesn't need to be elite, but if he can prove to be a legit second option for J.J. McCarthy, that will go a long way to making the offense more lethal than ever before.
EDGE Dallas Turner
In a similar vein to Nailor, Turner looks like a different athlete. He's bulked up significantly over the last few months, and it's exactly what he needed to do.
When he was drafted, Turner was just 21 years old and needed time to grow and develop. One of the things that he needed to do was bulk up, as Turner was relatively skinny at 247 lbs. Now, he looks closer to 255-260, and that is perfect for his style of play. His explosive pass rushing style will still be there, and now he theoretically has the strength to be much more impactful on the interior.
Where Turner can really make an impact is in three edge rusher sets. Pair his ability to rush the passer with how he drop into coverage, and Turner is primed to have his breakout year.
DT Levi Drake Rodriguez
This is the real wild card for the Vikings. Why is Rodriguez a wild card? He is a seventh round pick from last year who isn't a guarantee to make the team in 2025. Rodriguez will need to beat out either Taki Taimani or Jalen Redmond for a roster spot, both of whom made the initial roster as undrafted free agents.
What Rodriguez brings to the table is an insanely high motor that doesn't stop. He has bulked up to be a force in the running game, but there is some twitch to his game that is really interesting. If he makes the team, it will be because he took a major step forward in his development, as he was a healthy scratch the majority of last year.
Let's put it this way: if the team is as high on Rodriguez as the fanbase is, the sky is the limit.
CB Isaiah Rodgers
The Vikings are making a huge bet that they will be good at cornerback without having a solidified number two or three option. One of the reasons is how much defensive coordinator Brian Flores believes in Isaiah Rodgers.
When you look at all four teams in the division, they all have a large amount of talent on them. Taking a look at all four teams in the division, there isn't a team with a better balance of weapons and trenches, both groups which could easily be argued that the Vikings are best in the division.
When you look at the weapons, the duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is far and away the best, and T.J. Hockenson is the best and most well-rounded tight end in the division. The offensive line woes that have haunted the Vikings for years are finally going to be behind them after completely fixing the unit this offseason with an entirely new interior, and the defensive front is explosive and can generate pressure with the best of them.
The only major question for the Vikings is at quarterback, since J.J. McCarthy is set to play his first regular season snaps. Luckily for him, the roster is relatively QB-proof, so average quarterback play can elevate the Vikings to another level. Pair that with a favorable end of season schedule, with just one game in a cold weather environment after Thanksgiving against the New York Giants in week 16.
The other teams in the division have significantly more questions, including the Detroit Lions. They lost both coordinators and they lost their most valuable player in Frank Ragnow. It's certainly possible with their infrastructure that they will continue this sucess, but proof of concept is needed before I think they can repeat for a third-consecutive year, especially with Ben Johnson receiving nearly all the credit for the success of the offense.
The one thing that bodes well for the Vikings is that cornerback is a weak link system. It's less about how good each player is but rather about how they play as a group. If you don't have a true weak link, things are a lot easier for your defense as a whole.
Rodgers has the skills to be a really solid player at cornerback and is unique for being an ouside cornerback, as he has the frame of a slot corner at 5'10 and 175 lbs. What Rodgers does bring to the table is speed, quickness, and patience. Watch for him to take a huge step forward this year, as Rodgers has the perfect skill set for what Flores wants in a cornerback.
