The 4 Most Underrated Vikings Players thru 7 Games

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And with seven games in the books, these are the Vikings’ four most underrated players, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most underrated).

4. Jerry Tillery (DL)

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Vikings fans spent a lot of time daydreaming about trades for Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants) and Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee Titans) — which is fine — but Jerry Tillery hasn’t played horribly. He’s produced a passable 65.5 Pro Football Focus grade and is adept at stopping the run.

Tillery has also totaled 10 pressures through 7 games. Minnesota will likely upgrade his spot next offseason, but Tillery has not played poorly, nor is he a liability. He’s similar to his counterpart, Jonathan Bullard — decent but not great.

3. Sam Darnold (QB)

Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold (14) escapes from Green Bay Packers defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (55) on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Vikings won the game, 31-29. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

Darnold is on pace for these numbers in 2024:

3,930 Passing Yards

34 Touchdowns

12 Interceptions

Still, some Vikings fans have wondered if that’s good enough, even spitballing a Matthew Stafford trade last week.

Darnold is playing well enough for Minnesota to reach the postseason. It wasn’t supposed to do that in 2024, and Darnold is far outplaying his $10 million contract. He’s underrated.

2. Will Reichard (K)

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Minnesota’s rookie kicker has been perfect in 2024, and if not for his Week 5 heroism in London, the Vikings would be 4-3 right now instead of 5-2.

The guy will eventually miss a kick or two, but at the moment, he’s close to the best kicker in the sport. He does wonders for Vikings fans’ confidence level after decades of dread and doldrums.

Reichard isn’t just good by Minnesota’s kicking standards; he’s elite right now.

1. Brian O’Neill (RT)