Now, it’s our turn for a full list — the 2024 edition. Here’s our take on the Vikings’ most underrated or underappreciated players, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most underrated).
5. Jerry Tillery (DT)
4. Andrew Booth (CB)
3. Ty Chandler (RB)
Chandler was accountable for about three productive games in 2023 after Minnesota’s coaching staff smartened up and benched Alexander Mattison. Notably, he notched 123 rushing yards and a touchdown in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals five months ago, and that doesn’t usually happen by accident.
Aaron Jones’ arrival slightly dampened Chandler’s 2024 stock, but some wouldn’t have minded his nomination as RB1. Never forget — with 4.38 speed, Chandler is fast as hell.
2. Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
PFF called Van Ginkel the seventh-best EDGE rusher in the NFL last year, and the deal he signed in Minnesota aligned with that of the 37th-best. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah found Van Ginkel on a steal of a deal at two years and $20 million.His 91.1 PFF grade needs no additional explanation.
1. Mekhi Blackmon (CB)
Just like Vikings faithful pound the table for Ivan Pace Jr.’s rookie season, they should do the same for Blackmon. But they don’t. Folks have a hobby of savaging Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s draft picks and then never really mentioning Blackmon, Jordan Addison, or Ty Chandler. It’s strange.
Blackmon checked in as the league’s third-best rookie corner in 2023 and 30th-best overall, including veterans. The man has not received his flowers from Vikings fans, and it doesn’t add up. He authored a phenomenal rookie campaign.
