7 Vikings Players Who Could Start in 2025 That Did Not in 2024
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The Minnesota Vikings will hope to build on a 14-win season in 2024, and free agency, along with the NFL draft in Aprul, will help with that task in three short weeks.
7 Vikings Players Who Could Start in 2025 That Did Not in 2024
The club will undergo some serious change this offseason, mainly because 24 internal players are scheduled to hit the open market.
And somewhat quietly, a handful of players who did not start in 2024 ā could start in 2025. These are those players listed alphabetically.
Disclaimer: These players are not guaranteed to start in September, but it would not be unheard of if they do.
1. Mekhi Blackmon (CB)
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Blackmon produced a wonderful rookie campaign in 2023, but when the 2024 summer arrived, he promptly tore his ACL. He didnāt play at all in 2024.
However, with three Vikings cornerbacks scheduled to hit free agency ā Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, and Shaquill Griffin ā Blackmon could reasonably start in 2025 if free agency and the draft donāt go well for the purple team.
2. Theo Jackson (S)
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Camryn Bynum might cash in on top dollar in free agency, and Harrison Smith may retire.
That would leave Minnesota contemplating an enhanced role for Jackson, a depth safety that the franchise seems to love.
Outside of the Vikings coaching staff, no one can know for sure if Jackson is trustworthy as a starting safety. We might soon find out.
3. Michael Jurgens (OL)
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A mid-rounder from last yearās draft, thereās a small chance that Minnesota cuts ties with Garrett Bradbury after six seasons, perhaps nominating a youngster like Jurgens for starting center duty.
This one is a long shot but must be included for full disclosure.
4. J.J. McCarthy (QB)
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Probably the man who prompted you to click this article, McCarthy is trending toward climbing the latter this offseason and grabbing his QB1 money in the bank.
NFL NetworkāsĀ Tom Pelissero wroteĀ last week, āMcCarthy, who had a full repair of his torn meniscus in August and an additional procedure in November, is expected to begin football drills in the next few weeks and should be ready to roll by OTAs in May.ā
If Sam Darnold departs in free agency or via franchise tag-and-trade, the McCarthy era will likely begin.
5. Jalen Redmond (DT)
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For portions of 2024, Redmond, a UFL product, was a revelation.
The man played like a tackle-for-loss savant and showed enough sample to prove he wasnāt a one-hit wonder. If Minnesota does not sign a free agent like Milton Williams or draft a rookie like Walter Nolen, Redmon could start Week 1 for Minnesota.
6. Dallas Turner (OLB)
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Although Andrew Van Ginkel played tremendously in Year No. 1 as Viking, Turner has to start before too long. He has the talent and draft stock for the assignment.
Van Ginkel isnāt really a benchable commodity, but Turner could eat into his snap count more in 2025.
7. Jay Ward (S)
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Above, Theo Jackson was listed as a possible starter if Harrison Smith retires and Camryn Bynum leaves in free agency.
The Jackson spiel applies to Ward, too. Thereās a teensy chance that Minnesota views him as a starting-caliber safety, meaning he has a puncherās chance to replace Smith or Bynum.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, āThe Sopranos,ā Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.Ā
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
