Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings vast receiver Justin Jefferson (18) seems on after the sport towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs
The reply is seven, in keeping with ESPN’s Invoice Barnwell. The analyst ranked the weapons of each group and Justin Jefferson’s crew is listed eighth.
With none doubt, Minnesota’s power on the offensive facet of the ball is the arsenal of pass-catchers, that includes one of many easiest receivers in soccer and supported by some proficient people behind him.
But the membership is on a downward pattern, having ranked fifth in 2024 and sixth in 2025.
Barnwell defined, “There’s a tier break between the top eight teams and everyone else on this list. Even coming off his worst season as a pro, Justin Jefferson still has a deserved reputation as one of the most feared receivers in the game. He also has been healthy for five of his first six seasons in the league, which makes it easier to project a full season. And adding Jauan Jennings gave coach Kevin O’Connell an overqualified No. 3 to play behind Jefferson and Jordan Addison.”
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings vast receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his landing with vast receiver Justin Jefferson (18) towards the Atlanta Falcons throughout the first quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Photographs.
The Vikings have had elite WR duos through the years. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs began that luxurious, adopted by Diggs’ swap for Justin Jefferson and finally Jordan Addison changing Thielen.
The identification of the third receiver on the depth chart has modified through the years. Not too long ago, Ok.J. Osborn and Jalen Nailor served in that position. Jauan Jennings was signed this offseason and arguably even stands above these two.
Barnwell continued, “Both Jefferson and Addison saw their catch rates drop to career lows last season, which I feel comfortable chalking up to subpar quarterback play.”
Final 12 months’s passing offense was a catastrophe for the usual Kevin O’Connell has set throughout his tenure. J.J. McCarthy wasn’t able to step into Sam Darnold’s footsteps and neither Carson Wentz nor Max Brosmer could lead on an explosive aerial assault.
Subsequently, each Jefferson and Addison completed with disappointing stat traces. Solely Nailor might replicate his 2024 numbers and earned a candy take care of the Las Vegas Raiders.
A part of the offensive playmakers is the tight finish group. Barnwell wrote about Minnesota’s TE1: “T.J. Hockenson, though, recorded the best catch rate of his career, in part because he was catching bunches of short checkdowns. The tight end hasn’t been the same player since his 2023 ACL tear, and the Vikings could really use his ability to create after the catch and up the seam to help new QB Kyler Murray this season. This is a make-or-break year for Hockenson, who will be a free agent after the campaign.”
Hockenson suffered a torn ACL late within the 2023 season and he hasn’t appeared practically as explosive ever since. His numbers dropped considerably. A saving grace is that the Vikings relied on him as a blocker final 12 months, because the offensive line struggled to guard the passers.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), proper, talks to Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) after a 31-9 win at Ford Area in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photographs
The Vikings reworked his contract for this season. As an alternative of in 2028, he’ll head to free company subsequent March. Subsequent to him, the Vikings deploy blocking specialist Josh Oliver. He’s the most effective within the enterprise as a blocking tight finish, however his affect as a pass-catcher is restricted.
Barnwell isn’t impressed by the working backs: “Running back just isn’t a strength for this team. Jordan Mason is a one-dimensional ball carrier without much of an impact in the passing game, and fumbles remain a real problem for him (six across 337 touches over the past two seasons). Aaron Jones Sr. has seven fumbles of his own over that same time span, and while he can do more as a receiver, Jones is 31 and has missed significant time with injuries in two of the past three seasons. The names on the Vikings’ roster at running back and tight end might be more prominent than their actual expected level of play in 2026.”
Jones was glorious in 2024, however accidents and age haven’t helped him thrive since. He’s on the mistaken facet of 30 and has nagging accidents, which required the Vikings so as to add a robust alternate. Mason was discovered through commerce and signed a two-year deal final offseason.
They work nicely as a duo, however neither belongs within the dialog with the league’s prime backs. Mason is a implausible runner, however lacks prowess within the passing recreation, whereas Jones has the flexibility, however now not has the requisite explosiveness to hold an offense.
A brand new again might definitely be on the menu in 2027, however for now, the Vikings depend on their acquainted faces.
Total, it’s truthful to rank the Vikings eighth, given the subpar 2025 season and the shortage of a very elite tight finish and working again. They rank behind the Cowboys, Cardinals, 49ers, Falcons, Bengals, Rams, and Lions.
Janik Eckardt is a German sports activities nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He selected the Vikings to be his … Extra about Janik Eckardt
