Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison spoke publicly on Sunday about his arrest in July for the first time. The second-year wideout vowed to "keep learning" after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. He also said that he was "surprised by the support he received" from his teammates and coaches. Addison stated that he was in a dark place and the team helped him come out of it and return to the field at a high level. Head coach Kevin O'Connell and teammate Justin Jefferson spoke in support of Addison as well. There could still be a suspension in the near future, but Addison will be participating in training camp in the meantime.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor has reportedly been impressing the organization early in training camp. The former sixth-round pick has done everything asked of him and continues to make a good impression. The biggest problem for Nailor has been injuries. He has been held to a total of 21 games over his first two seasons in the league. If healthy, Nailor has a real shot at earning the WR3 role on this offseason. The Vikings don't have a ton of viable options behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Right now, Nailor is competing with Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield Sr. for the third wideout job. Nailor could offer some deep league value if he's able to secure that role heading into the regular season.

Minnesota Vikings rookie first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy is not focused too much on trying to win the starting job in his first NFL season. "The process is the progress," McCarthy said. The 10th overall pick in April's draft mostly has worked behind presumptive starter Sam Darnold in the first three practices of training camp. "My ultimate goal is to get the most out of every single day. When the time comes [to start], it comes. I'm just training every single day so that when that time does come, I'm going to be ready," McCarthy said. The 21-year-old Michigan product said he can now call plays in the huddle without stumbling through the verbiage. It sounds like McCarthy is getting more comfortable already, but the Vikings have made it clear they will treat his development with patience above all else, and conventional wisdom around the team suggests that Darnold will open as the starter.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. It's not a surprise, although O'Connell said Hockenson is "well ahead of schedule" with his rehab from ACL surgery in late January. The 27-year-old tight end tore his ACL at the end of last season and is doubtful to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign despite being ahead of scheduled this offseason. In addition to coming off a major injury, Hockenson will be more of a fantasy question mark now that he's going from quarterback Kirk Cousins to a potential mixture of Sam Darnold and rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy this season. Even when Hockenson does return to the field in the regular season, he's likely to be eased in, so he should be considered more of a high-end TE2 stash in fantasy football drafts this fall.

Minnesota Vikings No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy signed a four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie contract on Friday that is worth $21.85 million and also includes a $12.71 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option, according to sources. McCarthy won a national championship at Michigan in his final season in college and is now hoping to be the Vikings' next franchise signal-caller, although it won't come right away. Former first-rounder Sam Darnold is fully expected to open the year as the starter under center in Minnesota, with McCarthy learning on the sidelines. Most evaluators don't see a ton of upside in McCarthy at the next level, but it doesn't mean he won't be making some starts later on in the 2024 campaign. McCarthy can be avoided in single-year fantasy leagues.