3 Under-the-Radar Vikings to Watch: Week 3 vs. the Texans
Lately, the under-the-radar Vikings have been rising to the challenge.
Last week’s version (read here) of this piece included C.J. Ham (blocked punt), Jalen Nailor (TD and clutch catch), and Garrett Bradbury (tidy protection). Any chance the players included in the Week 3 piece rise to the occasion? Taking down the Texans won’t be easy, so Minnesota will need several unexpected players to shine. Consider some lesser-known players ahead of the Week 3 contest.
3 Under-the-Radar Vikings: Week 3
Trent Sherfield Jr., #11, Wide Receiver
A blocking specialist, Trent Sherfield Jr. is earning his paycheck.
The 6’1″, 206-pound receiver plays with good physicality. Not too many receivers are capable of getting the upper hand on a defensive end. Consider what Mr. Sherfield is capable of doing in a video courtesy of Luke Braun:
Now toss in the fact that he picked up a catch for 17 yards. Any chance that’s what we’re going to see from Sherfield going forward?
On occasion, the big-bodied receiver is going to make a play or two. Maybe he develops into a bit of a red zone threat and/or someone who can move the chains. At the very least, though, he’s someone who will allow the Vikings to run the ball better, especially in 11 personnel.
Sherfield looks like a savvy signing right about now.
Josh Oliver, #84, Tight End
The bruiser at tight end has some modest statistics. In two games, Oliver is up to 2 catches for 27 yards. So, not a record-breaking pace.
Keep in mind, though, that we’re talking about someone with excellent athleticism. He ran a 4.63 forty, which is actually faster than T.J. Hockenson’s (4.70). The play that really stands out is his explosive catch down the seam in Week 1, a small glimpse into what he’s capable of doing when given the right look.
Arif Hasan commented on the play: “Wonder how consistently Josh Oliver will be used for that seam shot. Was key to that TD drive, never really used that way last year, even with Hock hurt. In theory, this is what Vikings envisioned when they signed him last year — unlocking the receiving upside he had in college.”
Being a bully as a blocker remains his top task. So far, Oliver has gotten onto the field for 55 offensive snaps, 51% of the total. Again, snagging a pair of passes isn’t reason to throw a parade, but there’s potential for more production beyond just moving humongous human beings around in the run game.
Keep an eye on the TE1 while Hockenson recovers.
Patrick Jones II, #91, Edge Rusher
If the production continues, Patrick Jones II won’t be able to stick around the under-the-radar Vikings piece. After all, we’re talking about someone with 4 sacks across two weeks.
Back in 2022, Jones set a career high in sacks with 4. The 2023 season didn’t go quite as well, finishing off with just a single sack. Even worse, Jones finished the year as PFF’s worst edge rusher among qualifying players.
Fast forward into the current year and the career high in sacks have been matched after just two weeks. In other words, Jones is a near lock to hit a new career high in his contract year. Any chance he’s a bit more motivated than normal given that he’s playing for his second contract?
What about all of the doubt during the offseason? I, for one, was among those who was pushing the idea that he was a cut candidate and unlikely to be retained. Right now, that take is looking pretty foolish.
The depth edge rusher can hopefully do a bit more damage in Week 3. His ability to do so will go a long way in pushing the Vikings toward an unlikely 3-0 record.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and PFF helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.