Early reports indicate that Darnold has an excellent understanding of what the Vikings want from him at the position and that his offseason execution has been quite good — for whatever that is worth well before the start of training camp.
The Vikings made a key move to give Darnold an upgraded running game from the one the team had a year ago. They signed free agent running back Aaron Jones away from the Green Bay Packers and he should be 1,000-plus yard performer. Ty Chandler performed well when he was given a chance last year and he has a chance to be a solid No. 2 running back.
However, if the Vikings are going to overcome expectations and make a run at a playoff spot or possibly the division title, the key will be the play of the receivers.
This is the strength of the team — at least as far as the 1-2 punch is concerned. Justin Jefferson is clearly one of the best receivers in the league and a case can be made that he is the NFL’s best wideout. Second-year wide receiver Jordan Addison is a game-breaking speedster who can deliver big plays at the most opportune moments.
Throw in tight end and T.J. Hockenson, and that means that either Darnold or McCarthy will have a dynamic group of pass catchers at their disposal.
Vikings need a No. 3 wideout
As good as the top two receivers and the tight end are, the Vikings need a No. 3 receiver who can take the pressure off and also do some solid blocking. The Vikings had K.J. Osborn in that role last year, but he left the team and signed with the New England Patriots.
He will likely have a much more prominent role with that team than he would have had with the Vikings, so it makes sense that he left for a new opportunity.
Tiny Brandon Powell is currently listed as the team’s No. 3 wide receiver, on the most recent depth chart, and while he has some talent and explosiveness, he could be overwhelmed when asked to block at 5-8 and 181 pounds.
There are still some wideouts available who have not been signed in veterans Hunter Renfrow, Russell Gage and Jamal Agnew.
Renfrow is an accomplished pass catcher, but he does not offer much in terms of blocking ability. That does not appear to be Agnew’s strength either.
However, Gage is 6-0 and and 185 pounds, and he can block. He is also a decent pass catcher who has caught between 49 and 72 passes in the four seasons between 2019 and 2022. Gage missed the 2023 season with the Tampa Bay Bucs as a result of a preseason injury.
Gage might fill the No. 3 role perfectly for the Vikings if they wanted to bring him onto the team’s 2024 roster. He was released by Tampa Bay after the 2023 season, so he will be available to any team that signs him in 2024.
