Which member of the Minnesota Vikings’ offense will be the team’s most prolific performer during the 2017 season?
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings most certainly did not have one of the NFL’s best offenses. The Vikings’ offensive group in 2016 finished 23rd in points per game, 32nd in rushing yards per game, 18th in passing yards per game, and 28th in total offense.
Not exactly the kind of performance on offense that usually leads a team to a achieving success. But Minnesota may have had a few excuses for their lackluster offense from a season ago.
They lost their starting quarterback in the preseason, which forced them to acquire a new starter less than a week before the beginning of the regular season, then they lost their starting running back for a majority of the year, the health of their offensive line crumbled like a stale chocolate chip cookie, and their offensive coordinator quit on the team after the eighth week of the season.
With much more stability on the sidelines and a few new weapons added to the roster, it is not hard to imagine the Vikings’ offense having more success in 2017. So which offensive player is most likely to standout above the rest for Minnesota this season?
Dalvin Cook, RB
After scoring 20 touchdowns in each of his final two seasons at Florida State, the Vikings’ rookie running back consistently displayed his big-play abilities during his college football career. Cook certainly has the potential to make a big-time, immediate impact on Minnesota’s offense in 2017.
The only thing holding him back may be his head coach’s reputation of not playing rookies very much during their first NFL season. But given the type of playmaker Cook showed he can be while at Florida State, even Mike Zimmer may find it difficult to keep the kid off the field this year.
Stefon Diggs, WR
Last season, Diggs established himself as a vital part of the Vikings’ offense. Despite missing three games due to injury last year, the young wide receiver was still able to lead Minnesota in catches.
If he is able to stay healthy and play a full 16-game season, the sky is the limit for Diggs in 2017. Entering his third season with the team, the Vikings’ 23-year-old pass catcher may be in for his best year yet.
Diggs saw a boost in his numbers once Pat Shurmur took over the offense in Week 9 last season. A full year in Shurmur’s scheme may be just what Diggs needs to elevate his game to a level that is comparable to some of the NFL’s best at his position.
Latavius Murray, RB
After spending his first three seasons in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, the running back opted to sign a deal with the Vikings this offseason. Despite rushing for under 800 yards, Murray was still one of the most productive backs in the league last year. His 12 rushing touchdowns were the fifth-most among NFL running backs in 2016.
Some are predicting Minnesota to make Murray their short-yardage specialist this year. However, he has the potential to be an every-down back and he may have to be this season depending on how comfortable the Vikings feel about rookie Dalvin Cook in the backfield.
Murray’s production in 2017 could depend on how fast Cook is able to progress, but the veteran running back can eliminate that circumstance by just making plays early and often during the beginning of the season.
Kyle Rudolph, TE
Even though the tight end was supposed to evolve into one of the NFL’s best at his position when Norv Turner became Minnesota’s offensive coordinator in 2014, Rudolph’s production actually took off once Pat Shurmur took control of the offense last year.
The Vikings’ tight end set single-season career-highs in catches (83) and receiving yards (840) while also leading the team in targets (132) in 2016. Like Diggs, a full season with Shurmur calling the plays could result in even more offensive production for Minnesota’s veteran tight end this year.
Adam Thielen, WR
For those around the NFL, Thielen was a player that virtually came out of nowhere last year. But for those who have been following his time with the Vikings, no one was surprised with the success he experienced in 2016.
While establishing himself as one of the team’s most reliable pass catchers last year, Thielen also easily set single-season career-highs for catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns. His 202 receiving yards against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16 last season were the most by a Minnesota pass catcher since Randy Moss had 204 in 1999.
He seems like a bit of a long-shot to be the Vikings most productive player on offense in 2017. But then again, proving his doubters wrong seems to be a specialty of Thielen’s so far during his career.
Sam Bradford, QB
Coming off arguably the best season of his career, Bradford and Minnesota are hoping that a full offseason will result in the quarterback leading a team to the playoffs for the first time since he entered the NFL in 2010.
No one has really ever questioned Bradford’s physical abilities. But at times throughout his career, he has seemed a bit hesitant to utilize them.
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His production in 2017 may depend on how much the Vikings’ offensive line is able to improve from a year ago. If Bradford is able to have time to look downfield at more than one receiver this season, he could potentially have the type of year that validates why he was selected with the top draft pick in 2010.