The Minnesota Vikings are generally known as an organization with strong rosters, but the lack of a top-flight quarterback prevents them from competing for a Super Bowl. However, there might have already been a mistake in the equation. Not that quarterback part, that’s undoubtedly true. The roster, though, might lack the required high-end talent to be an actual competitor.
Objectively, without any fan bias, how many elite, annual All-Pro candidate players do the Vikings employ? The answer is quite simple: Justin Jefferson and that’s it. In six NFL seasons, Jefferson has been named to one of the All-Pro teams four times, and he’s been to four Pro Bowls, as well as being recognized as the Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. The two outlier seasons were one with seven missed games due to a hamstring injury and one with subpar quarterback play.
Besides him, there isn’t another player of that caliber. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at this year’s top 10 positional rankings from ESPN. Jefferson is the only Viking who was named by coaches and executives as a top 10 player at his position. After 11 different lists, that makes one Viking among 110 elite players.
Those lists also include a handful of honorable mentions and about another eight to ten guys classified as “also receiving votes.” Of roughly 250 players, the Vikings had only Jefferson and four others present.
- WR Justin Jefferson: 2nd
- OT Christian Darrisaw: honorable mention
- CB Byron Murphy: also receiving votes
- TE T.J. Hockenson: also receiving votes
- OT Brian O’Neill: also receiving votes (22)
Just for comparison: There are nine teams with at least five top 10 players.
The list also reveals the problem. O’Neill, Jefferson, and Darrisaw were drafted between 2018 and 2021. Hockenson was acquired via trade in 2022 and Murphy was added in free agency in 2023. The Vikings famously haven’t drafted well under Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the result is a roster that lacks high-end talent. That claim deserves one caveat: It’s not easy to draft elite players. If it were, everyone could and would do it. Some luck is involved.
Be that as it may, the Vikings haven’t had that skill or luck over the last half-decade. It’s also worth mentioning that several Vikings played at the level to be represented but were snubbed. Examples include Andrew Van Ginkel, Jalen Redmond, and Blake Cashman. Although the competition is tough at some spots, they should’ve at least been recognized by some voters.
At the end of the day, the Vikings have many good players, but not enough elite ones. Joshua Metellus has, without any doubt, been a wonderful contributor over the years, but he’s no Derwin James or Kyle Hamilton. Byron Murphy is not at the level of Pat Surtain or Derek Stingley.
Players at that elite level ultimately make the difference in January football. Back in 2022, when the Vikings lost to the New York Giants, Dexter Lawrence snatched souls all game and finished with 10 QB pressures, including one on the final meaningful play of the game, when Kirk Cousins tossed the ball to Hockenson (who both had pretty good games by the way). Or think back to the Rams’ Super Bowl run, where Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp took over in the Super Bowl.
Just focusing on the quarterback position is too short-sighted in Minnesota’s situation. Sure, if Kyler Murray is playing like a top 10 passer, the team will be massively improved. But does the squad have the necessary difference-maker to actually challenge stacked teams like the Rams, Seahawks, or Eagles and possibly beat all three in three consecutive weeks? It’s surely fair to doubt that.
For the optimists out there: Donovan Jackson had a solid rookie season and is a possible Year 2 jump away from belonging in the conversation to be part of ESPN’s list next year. Another guy is Dallas Turner, who’s set to enter the starting lineup after an 8-sack year. The flashes of his play-making ability have already been there; it’s now about consistency.
The rookie class also has the chance to make some noise, with Caleb Banks’ massive frame and explosiveness, as well as Jake Golday’s versatility and athleticism. Several others also possess some intriguing tools.
Player development and better drafting will be crucial for the Vikings over the next year or two. If they fail in those categories, they will eventually bottom out with a lack of talent on the roster.
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