The Vikings’ 5 Best Newcomers in 2024

The Minnesota Vikings have three games remaining in 2024 and need to win all three games to clinch home-field advantage through the postseason. Losing one or more will likely result in Wildcard designation and road playoff games.

Minnesota won last seven matches and is on a straight course.

Vikings’ Top 5 Newcomers in 2023

The new players have completely changed Vikings football for the better this season; Its effects cannot be denied. And with 14 games reviewed retrospectively, these are the team’s best new players, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = best).

5. Aaron Jones (RB)

The Vikings’ rushing offense was ranked 27th in 2022 and 2023 for DVOAand season after season, a lack of efficiency prevented the offense from reaching its full potential.

Fast forward to 2024 and the game on the field has improved thanks to Jones. It still doesn’t have to be a team forcebut Jones did his best to assist in the repairs.

He is on pace for 1,580 yards from scrimmage and 8 touchdowns.

Minnesota could even bring Jones back for Year 2 in 2025.

4. Blake Cashman (LB)

Cashman ranks as the NFL’s 18th-best inside linebacker per Professional Football FocusHe especially outperforms his peers like Foyesade Oluokun and Roquan Smith.

He missed several games at the beginning of the season, and Minnesota lost those contests. They are undefeated with Cashman on the roster.

The Eden Prairie native joined the Vikings as a free agent in March and looks like the type of player who could finish his career in purple.

3. Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)

Van Ginkel had 64 total tackles, 15 quarterback hits, 15 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, and a forced fumble. He and his counterpart Jonathan Greenard are playing so efficiently that Round 1 Dallas Turner isn’t seeing the court as much as fans expected when the season started.

He is Brian Flores’ versatile defensive point guard.

2.Sam Darnold (QB)

Here’s Darnold’s 17-game statistical pace in 2024:

• 4,286 Transition Areas
• 38 Total Touchdowns
• 13 Intervention

Purple fans would be happy with 25 goals and 3,200 passes. But no; Darnold has far exceeded expectations.

1.Jonathan Greenard (OLB)

Greenard is on pace for 13.5 sacks, ranks third league-wide in quarterback pressure, and has seamlessly replaced Danielle Hunter with her cheaper price tag.

He and Darnold are neck-and-neck for No. 1 on this list, but Greenard is probably a better EDGE runner than Darnold’s quarterback, although some might disagree.

Greenard has no bad games and his defensive presence is vital. He is the best newcomer to Darnold’s title by a narrow margin.

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dustin baker He is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The program, which is prepared with 4-7 episodes per week, includes guests, analyzes and opinions on everything related to the purple team. The Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Guilty pleasures listed: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos’, Basset Hounds and The Doors (band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; All contract information provided by OverTheCap.com.