There are a lot of candidates!
I would have to go with Brian O’Neill and Blake Cashman as my two most underrated Vikings. Who are yours?
Your AI question of the day …
who is the minnesota vikings underrated players in 2025
Based on the search results, here are some Minnesota Vikings players considered underrated or poised for a breakout season in 2025:
Dallas Turner (Edge Rusher): Despite a modest rookie season with limited snaps, analysts believe he’s poised for a breakout in 2025. With a clearer path to playing time and the addition of interior linemen like Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen to demand double teams, Turner’s speed and athleticism off the edge could lead to a significant increase in production. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has publicly predicted a “huge jump” for him.
Theo Jackson (Safety): Jackson is considered a versatile defensive weapon, capable of covering slot receivers, blitzing, and supporting against the run. With a path to more playing time due to veteran Harrison Smith approaching the end of his career, Jackson’s instincts and versatility make him a valuable asset in the Vikings’ defense. He has impressed in limited snaps and is considered ready for a bigger role.
Ivan Pace Jr. (Linebacker): Despite being undersized, Pace has made an immediate impact with his instincts, toughness, and playmaking ability. He has already exceeded expectations as an undrafted free agent and offers unique versatility as a blitzer and in coverage. With the linebacker room in flux, Pace has a significant opportunity to carve out a larger role in 2025.
Jalen Nailor (Wide Receiver): While Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison draw most of the attention, Nailor has proven to be a reliable target, especially on critical third downs. He is considered to be flying under the radar and has an opportunity to secure a long-term deal with his performance in 2025.
Javon Hargrave (Defensive Tackle): Although he’s coming off an injury, Hargrave is seen as a potential “under-the-radar star” for the Vikings in 2025. His past production as a pass rusher suggests he could have a significant bounce-back year if he stays healthy.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Vikings Trade Pitch Sends Browns Former 1st-Round DB to Minnesota
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports thinks the Vikings should contact the Browns about a possible trade.
“Minnesota spent big to address both trenches this offseason, but the one non-quarterback spot that lacks top-end answers is the secondary, now sans veteran starters like Stephon Gilmore and Camryn Bynum,” Benjamin wrote on June 26.
“Forward-thinking general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was in the Browns’ front office when Cleveland spent a first-rounder on Newsome in 2021, and at just 25, the former Northwestern standout has the upside to become a longer-term option for Brian Flores’ defense. Why would the Browns give up such a young chess piece? Despite his draft reputation, Newsome managed just three starts in Jim Schwartz’s unit in 2024, and he’s headed into a contract year.”
On the surface, it doesn’t feel like the Vikings are this elite vertical passing attack. They aren’t super successful in true “deep shots” that go 40+ yards down the field. However, they live in that 15-30 yard range.
When you watch the Vikings, O’Connell loves to attack 20 yards down the field on in breaking routes. Dagger and bow have been favorites for O’Connell over the years, and they pepper in right in front of the safeties.
Vikings predicted to ditch 2 more players from GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s disastrous 2022 draft class
Vikings analyst Judd Zulgad recently dropped his early 53-man roster projections for the team on the Purple Daily Podcast, and he predicts two more of Minnesota’s 2022 draft picks — running back Ty Chandler and linebacker Brian Asamoah II — will be on the outside looking in come cut-down day.
Wide receiver Brandon Powell was Minnesota’s punt returner in 2024, but he’s also not on the team’s current 90-man roster entering training camp.
That should open up a ton of opportunity for Bolden, who after transferring to Texas from Oregon State handled 30 punt returns for the Longhorns in 2024, amassing 315 yards and a touchdown. He also has a punt return TD on his resume from 2023.
Bolden mainly played wide receiver on offense in college. He was well down the depth chart at Texas last year, but he had a productive final season with Oregon State, hauling in 54 catches for 746 yards and five scores. He could be a threat in the run game as a gadget player for Minnesota, as he added five rushing touchdowns over his four collegiate seasons.
Javon Hargrave Mic’d Up at Vikings Minicamp Practice
Where does the Minnesota Vikings linebacker unit rank among the entire NFL?
“Minnesota doesn’t have any household names in its linebacker room, but it’s quietly a very productive group. Blake Cashman has emerged as a legitimate starter, boasting an 80.3 PFF overall grade over the past two years. Ivan Pace Jr. is one of the better undrafted free agent finds in recent memory. He placed among the top 10 linebackers in PFF run-defense and pass-rush grades last season. Eric Wilson is a solid third option who earned a 64.3 PFF overall grade in Green Bay last season. Sixth-round rookie Kobe King could also provide value in run defense if needed.”
NFL Draft Stuff
10 running backs to know for the 2026 NFL Draft
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Love was the second-most-valuable running back in college football this past season, according to PFF’s Wins Above Average metric. His 91.0 PFF overall grade ranked fifth, his 38% forced missed tackle rate placed second and his 6.9 yards per carry slotted him in third among Power Four running backs this past season.
Love’s fantastic athleticism allows him to run through or hurdle defenders and makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Singleton surprised many when he decided to return to Happy Valley for his senior season after he was a projected Day 2 pick for the 2025 NFL Draft. His 1,106 rushing yards in 2024 were the third most among returning Power Four backs, while his 6.4 yards per carry ranked eighth in the Power Four.
Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is the only returning halfback in the nation who was more valuable than Singleton in 2024, according to PFF’s Wins Above Average metric. He has great size for the position at 6-foot-1 and 226 pounds and the speed to take it to the house from anywhere on the field.
Jonah Coleman, Washington
Coleman has been one of college football’s most efficient runners since he arrived on the scene three years ago. Across his two seasons at Arizona and one with the Huskies, Coleman has posted a 95.4 career PFF rushing grade — tied for fifth among FBS running backs in that span.
He’s a human bowling ball at 5-foot-9 and 229 pounds, with quicker feet than you’d expect for a back of his size. The rising senior’s average of 4.6 yards after contact per attempt since 2023 ranks third among all FBS running backs, while his 35% forced missed tackle rate in that span is tied for second among Power Four running backs.
Darius Taylor, Minnesota
Taylor has been a do-it-all back for the Golden Gophers across his first two seasons. His 79.9 PFF receiving grade since 2023 leads all Power Four halfbacks, and his 1,317 yards after contact in that span are the second most.
He has good size at 6 feet and 215 pounds with long strides and the mentality to punish any defensive backs who try to tackle him.
Yore Mock
Trade Recap
Minnesota Receives: 2026: Round 2, Pick 56, 2026: Round 4, Pick 124, 2026: Round 6, Pick 203
San Francisco Receives: 2026: Round 2, Pick 50
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Minnesota Receives: 2026: Round 4, Pick 101, 2026: Round 6, Pick 180
New Orleans Receives: 2026: Round 3, Pick 97
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18. Francis Mauigoa OT Miami (FL) 6’6’ 315
Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images
56. Nyck Harbor WR South Carolina 6’5” 235
Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
82. Domonique Orange DL Iowa State 6’4” 324
Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images
101. Daylen Everette CB Georgia 6’1” 190
Photo by CFP/Getty Images
118. Zeke Berry S Michigan 5’11” 196
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
124. Logan Jones IOL Iowa 6’3” 293
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
174. Rayshaun Benny DL Michigan 6’3” 296
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images
180. Michael Taaffe S Texas 6’0” 190
Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
203. Darius Taylor RB Minnesota 6’0” 215
Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
232. Bryce Boettcher LB Oregon 6’2” 225
Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images
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