3 Vikings Delivering on Promise and Potential
Lately, the football discussion in Minnesota has been characterized by doom and gloom. Even by Vikings standards, things look bleak (which is saying something).
Lost in the shuffle, perhaps, is that there have been some players who have done well, the Vikings delivering on promise and potential. The 4-7 Vikings may make the viewer believe that nothing is going right, but that’s simply not the case. Consider some Vikings who have been exceeding expectations.
3 Vikings Delivering on Promise
Player #1 — Jordan Mason, RB2
Mr. Mason’s only fault is that he hasn’t carried the ball more.
To be sure, there are aspects of his game that could be better. One thinks of his abilities as a pass catcher that could use some enhancement. He can catch the rock but isn’t an explosive option like Aaron Jones. Mason’s 12 catches have turned into an uninspiring 44 yards, working out to a 3.7 yards-per-catch average (Jones is at 8.0 yards per catch, more than doubling Mason).
Plus, the idea of Jordan Mason being at fault for not earning more carries isn’t really his fault at all. Rather, one looks at head coach Kevin O’Connell, the playcaller who is sending out meaningless words when he promises that his desire is to run more.
Mason has turned 116 carries into 531 yards (4.6 average) and 5 touchdowns. Watch for Mason when he gets sent on outside runs. He does a nice job of stretching a defense horizontally before cutting upfield with force. Very seldom does he not fall forward.
Mason is 26. He comes in at a sturdy 5’11” and 230 pounds.
Player #2 — Jalen Redmond, DT1
In the middle of a breakout season, Jalen Redmond shouldn’t be a secret in Minnesota anymore. Around the league, NFL fans may not know who he is, but that’s starting to change.
The Vikings are being led by Redmond in the sack category. His 4 are modest for a team leader but strong for a defensive tackle. Seeing him finish off the season with 6 or 7 sacks could be enough to push him toward a spot in the Pro Bowl.
Redmond is third on the Vikings’ roster with 8 tackles for loss. The 6 quarterback hits put him in a tie for fourth on the team. His 40 tackles have him sitting in a tie for eighth.
The DT1 who is demanding less than $1 million on the cap is far exceeding expectations. Rolling with Redmond alongside Harrison Phillips at DT may have been far superior to what’s taking place currently.
Player #3 — Eric Wilson, LB2/EDGE3
The veteran has been an off-ball linebacker and special teams ace for his career. In 2025, Eric Wilson has become an edge rusher, too.
The snaps in the box continue to lead the way, coming in at a total of 386 defensive plays. Next up, though, are 203 snaps along the defensive line for the linebacker. Keep in mind that we’re considering someone who is a touch small by off-ball ‘backer standards since he’s 6’1″ and 230 pounds.
Wilson has demonstrated not just versatility but excellent toughness and physicality while playing edge rusher. He has offered the Vikings 74 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles. All for the bargain price coming in at $2.6 million.
At 31, Wilson is nearing the end of his career. He has been playing good ball and looks like a strong candidate to keep around, if only for one more season.
