Kirk Cousins is gone, but the Vikings have a bunch of players in their prime and don’t expect to take a step back in 2024. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 7-10 (third in NFC North); missed playoffs
- Over/under: 7.5 wins
Notable additions
QB Sam Darnold, RB Aaron Jones, WR Trent Sherfield Sr., OL Dan Feeney, DL Jonah Williams, DL Jihad Ward, DL Jerry Tillery, OLB Jonathan Greenard, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, LB Blake Cashman, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, CB Shaq Griffin
Notable losses
QB Kirk Cousins, QB Joshua Dobbs, RB Alexander Mattison, WR K.J. Osborn, OT Hakeem Adeniji, OL Olisaemeka Udoh, OL Austin Schlottmann, DL Dean Lowry, DL Khyiris Tonga, OLB Danielle Hunter, OLB D.J. Wonnum, OLB Marcus Davenport, LB Jordan Hicks, LB Troy Dye, K Greg Joseph
2024 draft class
QB J.J. McCarthy (1.10), OLB Dallas Turner (1.17), CB Khyree Jackson (4.108), OT Walter Rouse (6.177), K Will Reichard (6.203), C Michael Jurgens (7.230), DL Levi Drake Rodriguez (7.232)
Projected starters
QB: Sam Darnold
RB: Aaron Jones
FB: C.J. Ham
WR: Justin Jefferson
WR: Jordan Addison
TE: T.J. Hockenson
LT: Christian Darrisaw
LG: Blake Brandel
C: Garrett Bradbury
RG: Ed Ingram
RT: Brian O’Neill
DL: Harrison Phillips
DL: Jonathan Bullard
OLB: Jonathan Greenard
ILB: Ivan Pace Jr.
ILB: Blake Cashman
OLB: Dallas Turner (R)
CB: Byron Murphy Jr.
S: Harrison Smith
S: Camryn Bynum
SCB: Josh Metellus
CB: Shaq Griffin
2024 outlook
Kevin O’Connell did everything he could to make the Vikings competitive last year after Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles and Justin Jefferson dealt with a hamstring injury, but the NFC North is getting a lot better—and it’s fair to wonder if the drafts under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have been good enough to build on the strong foundation that was in place from the previous regime. A decision to move on from Cousins by drafting his successor in J.J. McCarthy will determine Minnesota’s chances of sustained success, and we should see more running while leaning on Brian Flores’ defense this season.
At least to start 2024, it seems Sam Darnold is likely to be under center, but the situation is a great one for a quarterback—as Darnold or McCarthy will be guided by O’Connell, throwing to Justin Jefferson (among others), and protected by an elite offensive line. Plus, the lack of a proven No. 3 wideout probably won’t hurt much because of what former rival Aaron Jones can do as a pass-catcher, and Ty Chandler flashed down the stretch last year to create a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield.
On defense, the Vikings have a huge hole at the No. 2 cornerback spot, and the tragic death of fourth-round pick Khyree Jackson last month—while obviously a heartbreaking real-life situation more than anything Minnesota will feel sorry for themselves about from a football perspective—and torn ACL for Mekhi Blackmon puts even more of an emphasis on Shaq Griffin or recent signing Fabian Moreau to step up, especially with 2022 second-rounder Andrew Booth Jr. thought to be on the roster bubble. The heat Flores can bring with a remade defensive front will be key in taking the pressure off the backend.
Position battle to watch: Quarterback
Again, it seems Sam Darnold is the clear favorite to start the opener, and the real question might be how long he can hold onto the job with a brutal stretch before a Week 6 bye (@ NYG, v SF, v HOU, @ GB, v NYJ). Frankly, the schedule doesn’t get much easier after that with two games in five days (v DET, @ LAR), and J.J. McCarthy is a prospect we thought would benefit from a year of development—so it’ll be very interesting to see how the Vikings handle the quarterback situation.
Breakout candidate: S Josh Metellus
Metellus already had a breakout season in 2023, but he’s still a name that many casual fans don’t know despite 116 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one interception last year. The former Michigan standout is an outstanding fit in Brian Flores’ aggressive defense, and he will again be in the middle of the action with a do-it-all role.
Circle on the calendar: Week 14 (v ATL) | Sunday, December 8 – 1:00 PM ET
I would have taken Bo Nix if I were Minnesota, but how they handled the quarterback situation—telling Kirk Cousins they will be drafting a successor—was questionable if Drake Maye was their target (which seems obvious) to lock themselves into a corner with him being unattainable. Now, the Vikings could realistically be out of contention by December while a returning Cousins might be leading a playoff-bound Atlanta squad, and you know the soon-to-be 36-year-old will have a chip on his shoulder.
Bottom line
Kevin O’Connell running the show might be enough to get Minnesota back into the postseason, but I have questions about some of the roster moves made this offseason. While the Vikings expect to be competitive, the season could turn into more of a soft reset with an eye towards the future if they start slow.