Vikings listed among ‘least improved’ teams for 2024
One NFL insider is not keen on the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason, calling the team one of the league’s “least improved” during the offseason.
Recently, the staff over at Sports Illustrated’s MMQB revealed which NFL teams they believe improved the least this offseason. Unfortunately for Vikings fans, one of these analysts decided to pick the purple and gold.
Gilberto Manzano already predicted the Vikings to finish 3-14 in 2024, so it shouldn’t be all that surprising that he chose the Vikings. Backing up his selection, Manzano offered the following in his most recent analysis:
“I would have felt better about the Vikings had they traded up to get Drake Maye in the draft. Instead, they waited to take J.J. McCarthy, the fifth quarterback selected in the draft. McCarthy was impressive during Michigan’s playoff games, but he has boom-or-bust potential because he wasn’t asked to do much in Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy offense. Minnesota could lean on veteran Sam Darnold, but he struggled with making quick decisions during his time with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.”
So, while Manzano’s main argument surrounds the quarterback position, that’s not the only position he has questions about,.. Manzano continues the analysis by identifying the interior lines on both offense and defense as additional weak spots. He also questions the free-agent addition of Jonathan Greenard to replace Danielle Hunter in terms of strength added to the edge rusher position.
I would disagree with this portion of his argument. Adding Dalton Risner ensures the Vikings have a solid starter at every position on the offensive line. It is true that the defensive line looks like a weakness, but the additions of Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and rookie Dallas Turner should make up for the loss of Danielle Hunter.
Are the Vikings really among the ‘least improved’ in the league?
The Vikings indeed appear set for a rebuilding year in 2024. It’s hard to argue that the roster is ready to contend after losing one of the league’s best QBs in Kirk Cousins and star edge rusher Danielle Hunter. Even so, there is reason for optimism surrounding this team.
Looking at the roster, one could make an argument that the running back room is improved. Adding Aaron Jones should help what was one of the league’s most anemic ground games in the league a year ago, while the secondary has definitely improved as well. Another reason for optimism? The possibility that the additions of rookie QB J.J. McCarthy and edge rusher Dallas Turner could make a difference immediately. Time will tell.