We are deep in the season of hope and a new beginning. No, not the Christmas season. This is the time prior to the new NFL season.
It is a time full of hope for what could happen to our favorite purple-clad team while we are waiting for training camp, which will be in August. The ultimate dream is to finally see the Vikings on the Platform on the Super Bowl after they have won it, but that is not what I am talking about here. I am going to make some predictions that are not exactly daring, but for all of us being realistic to pay attention to.
Tony Schultz from Vikingssterritory has Vikings forecasts for the 2025 season, with a kick -off less than three months.
I had previously written an article about players who received power-ups because of new additions to the team. It follows that vein of players or units who will see an increase this year due to changes in the team and perhaps on their opponents. Can some predictions change in newspaper heads as the season progresses?
Defensive Leads League in bags
Some may find a daring explanation, but that is really not since the defense of the Vikings led by Brian Flores ended the year with the 5th pockets in 2024. With 49 pockets they showed that they were a defense for starting QBs to worry about when they fell back to pass.
The Vikings were Blitz-heavy because they did not have a great pass Rushers from the middle defensive rulers. Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery were much better suited to hold the run than to get into the lap of the quarterback, causing the Linebackers and defensive backs to blitz from different places. This year the Vikings Johnathan Allen and Javon collected Hargrave to strengthen the line of defense, and they have the habit of making Quarterbacks extremely uncomfortable.
Add Andrew van Ginkel, Johnathan Greenard and Dallas Turner who collide from the outside, and that defensive front will be much more active. Jalen Redmond is a great rotation player and made some splashing about passing downs last year to spell those guys from time to time. The team has also drawn up Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins from Georgia, who can also be a good interior liner in this system. The Vikings should not flash off the Linebackers that often, but if they do, it should be fun to look at.
Add to that when Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus come from the rear field, that teams should have their heads on a swivel to see what comes from all over. Will they get 71 as they did in 1989, only one short of the record of the ’85 Bears of all time? Perhaps, because today’s NFL is more Pass-Happy, the Vikings will be confronted with many teams that will look to put the ball in the air.
Andrew van Ginkel comes in second place
In which? Interceptions. Last year, the long blond-hair-living Vikings logo aroused fans and announcers with two interceptions that he changed to Touchdowns. He still had a few chances in the season to replicate the performance. “The Gink” has a talent for playing the reading screen and is looking for a slightly thrown ball to a waiting declining returning back.
Last year he received one against the Giants who was one of the fastest Pick-Sixes in NFL history. He then became international and unpacked Aaron Rodgers when they played the jets in England and brought back 63 meters to the house. This was defended together with his 6 passes during the season. Quarterbacks became very aware of his smart pieces on those plays, and they had to hesitate when they saw a flash of purple and gold in that area, so that other teammates made the game on the QB or let them throw the ball.
This year, with the improved line of defense that gets more push, he does not have to hurry the passer -by and can come up with more often. Skulking behind the line and under routes go to steal the ball and maybe get a few scores under his belt. Last year, Byron Murphy Jr. Led the team in intercepts with 6, with the next nearest Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum with 3 each. This next season I see Van Ginkel at least doubling his interceptions with panicky Quarterbacks that try to get the ball on screens and dump-offs.
His pockets may be rid of the 11.5 of last season, but if that means he gets the ball back in the hands of the attack more often, he will like to sacrifice it.
TJ Hockenson bounces back for a long time
Hockenson will not only go back to dominating the center of the field from his tight final position, but he will lead one receiving category. Last year Hockenson only became back in action in week 9 and he and Sam Darnold didn’t really have a chemistry.
Apart from the match against the Bears, where he had 7 catches for 114 Yards, he was not really a game -changing factor and he did not score a touchdown throughout the season. The previous year he ended with 95 receptions and had 100 amounts and had more than 1000 meters, if not for the injury. This year he storms back after he and JJ McCarthy have built a strong understanding and some dazzling games.
I am not sure if he will get nearly 100 receptions, but I do think he will lead the team in receiving touchdowns. Yes, I know that is difficult to think with Jefferson and Jordan Addison in the team, but Hockenson will be in a perfect position to get more scores as Jets and Addison get more attention to the positive side of the 50-Yard line. The center of the field will open more, and Hockenson will have plenty of opportunities to get the ball in his hands and over the goal line.
Add that Addison may have to miss a few games because of the suspension, and Hockenson should be the second option in most passing scenarios to his return. Another factor that could contribute to his great year is the improved attacking line, which would have to offer more hasty touchdowns and short-yardage attempts, draws linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage instead of patroling the rear field.
Christian Darrisaw gets the recognition he deserves
He has been recommended as the next star in the left tackle since he entered the competition. Christian Darrisaw is favorable by many compared to Trent Williams, and they have waited until he takes the torch. The problem is that Williams continues to perform well and name recognition is difficult to overcome.
Add to the fact that Darrisaw has had a number of injury problems, including missing most of last year and he does not seem to come over the bump. He is dominant in the Run game and the passing game and denies some of the best rushers in the game. The attack must be improved with the rest of the upgrades in the attacking line, add Ryan Kelly and Will Fries and prepare Donovan Jackson at the left side.
When Jackson is erected, the whole line gets more recognition and it has to contribute to the inheritance of Darrisaw, giving him the Pro Bowl nod that he has earned in recent years. Those who interrogate his skills only have to refer to the Video Explanation Brian Baldinger who provided the Lions last year, where he made two important blocks on one game to keep Sam Darnold upright.
Theo Jackson will be better than OK
That may seem that I am very casual about his performance this season, but I actually tell you that he will be more than just a fill -in name. Last year we finally saw him in action when he came in for an injured Harrison Smith, and everything he had was 4 tackles, 1 pass defense and a game-seal interception in Seattle.
I find it funny that we only hear how safety is not that important and are a low -drawing position. That is until you have a future Hall of Fame player who stares to retire and a solid man who brings the defense together in a fun way. Cam Bynum left for the Colts in the low season after he had built a strong CV here with his playing style and interception choreography with the team.
He soon became a favorite with fans with his smile and characteristic “Moooviiiee!” Celebration Cry. Smith is of course one of the best safetions ever to play the game and has played his entire career in Minnesota. Jackson comes in with spectators who feel that he not only replaces Bynum, but also in the end Smith. That is a lot of pressure. The fact is that he fits perfectly with the defense of Flores, and although he may not be as flashy as Bynum, he starts to shine in his own way.
I think he is a better tackler than Cam and that he has to take better corners for tackles with open field. He can even shine clearer with the improved front and has a number of own films.
Vikings’ attack will be at the top
The attack has not done anything this season, except getting better. The attacking line has been improved with Kelly, Fries and Jackson that are added to the mix. The Running Backs Room has become deeper with the addition of Jordan Mason, who can pick up some repetitions from Aaron Jones and can add a powerful dynamic to the run game.
Reliving Josh Oliver only reinforces the Run attack because he is one of the best blocking tight ends in the competition. Hockenson will be fully involved in the training camp and must run synchronously with McCarthy. Speaking of McCarthy, he should have enough time to distribute the ball and pick up the yards and touchdowns. Justin Jefferson is still going to do Justin Jefferson’s things, and Addison is the perfect addition to him, with Jalen nailor a strong 3rd broad receiver.
This should all increase that the Vikings in 2025 are a top 10 attack. Why is this good? If the defense scores better this season, it cannot go too much further than last year, when they were judged as the 4th best in the competition. The attack can and will improve its 12th place in 2024 by securing a place in the top 10 and maintaining it most of the season.
They can start slowly, but as the season progresses, they only get better. Having both units in the top 10 will not only put them in the play -offs, but also take the team with them on a play -off run that can take them to Levi’s stage and a chance of Destiny.
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