A List of 5 Very Specific Vikings Predictions
Writing about football can be risky business. Nowhere is that riskiness more prevalent than in the 5 very specific Vikings predictions.
At this point, the piece has become a yearly tradition for yours truly on PurplePTSD, the kind of topic that can fill up the slower portion of the offseason that arrives in June and July. On occasion, there’s even a correct guess or two. Any chance the current iteration involves catching lightning in a bottle, going a perfect five-for-five? If so, then I’ll be asking my bosses for a raise.
5 Specific Vikings Predictions
Prediction #1 – Four UDFAs Make the Final Roster
Part of the reason why so many UDFAs will make it is due to the five-person draft class, an unusually low amount of players. The roster sees some enhancement by getting help from the beefy UDFA adds (many of whom inspire optimism).
I’ll go bolder. These are the UDFAs who get onto the team:
- Silas Bolden, PR
- Ben Yurosek, TE
- Max Brosmer, QB
- Zemaiah Vaughn, CB
Other names to watch: Logan Brown (OT), Tyler Batty (EDGE), and Joe Huber (G).
Prediction #2 – Justin Jefferson Completes Three Passes
Best known for juking corners out of their cleats, Mr. Jefferson has a bit of an arm.
In his career, Justin Jefferson has gone 5/8 for 91 yards. The end result is an average completion that goes for an explosive 18.2 yards. He has yet to throw a touchdown pass, but that’s not what this prediction is about.
J.J. McCarthy – a great athlete – gets tasked with helping to orchestrate some trick plays. Justin Jefferson gets his mitts on the ball and gets tasked with heaving it downfield at least a few times. Look for the WR1 to get to three completions in 2025.
Prediction #3 – The Vikings Blitz Less than 35% of the Time
Brian Flores is a well-known blitzing specialist. Creative and sophisticated, Flores stands out among his peers as someone who is unusually aggressive.
Nevertheless, the blitz percentage will drop.
In 2023, Flores’ crew led the NFL by sending an extra player(s) a staggering 51.5% of the time. In 2024, Flores’ crew led the NFL by sending an extra player(s) a less-staggering 38.9% of the time. Both seasons involved sitting in first in the NFL for blitzing, but that’s going to change.
Flores blitzes 34.9% of the time or less. The DC hands away the blitzing championship belt, if only for a single season.
Prediction #4 – Javon Hargrave Produces Twice as Many Sacks as Jonathan Allen
No disrespect to Mr. Allen. Instead, just some optimism for Mr. Hargrave. Or, as he’s affectionately known, Gravedigger.
Javon Hargrave picked up 7.5 sacks in 2021, 11 sacks in 2022, and 7 sacks in 2023. Last year dropped down to a single sack but that was due to injury; Hargrave only played a trio of games. Meanwhile, Allen picked up 9 sacks in 2021, 7.5 sacks in 2022, and 5.5 sacks in 2023. Last year dropped down to a trio of sacks due to injury; Allen played in just eight games.
The prediction is predicated on just a quick look at recent history. Javon Hargrave has demonstrated more sack upside. Put me down for what is hopefully healthy seasons for each defensive tackle. Allen gets to 4 sacks while Hargrave gets to 8 sacks.
Prediction #5 – The Vikings Get a Pair of Return Touchdowns
For a bit, Kene Nwangwu inspired fear as a kickoff returner. It has been a little while, though, since the Vikings have had someone who inspires fear as a purple punt returner.
I say the Vikings are due for a bit of an explosion. Look for the team’s new returner(s) to get loose for a pair of scores. Maybe that means a couple of kickoff returns; a couple could arrive on punt return. Or, perhaps, there’s one apiece.
Regardless, Matt Daniels pushes his return units to new heights, putting up six points a pair of times.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
