3 scapegoats from the Vikings loss to the Broncos in Week 11

2. Mekhi Blackmon - CB

Minnesota fans need to learn to be patient when it comes to young talent. Players like Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson have certainly skewed the way we all view rookies when they come out of the gates on fire, but those types of players are outliers and not the norm.

Mekhi Blackmon is a third-round rookie who is just now getting his feet wet in the NFL, as his playing time has increased in recent weeks. Blackmon has shown impressive flashes in his short career, but his game on Sunday night was one to forget.

Blackmon's most notable mistake was allowing the Broncos' go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter to Courtland Sutton, a play in which Sutton outjumped Blackmon for the ball. Blackmon could have played the ball better, but putting the young rookie up against arguably the best jump ball receiver in the NFL is a bit of a head-scratcher in itself.

There is no denying that Blackmon struggled; there's no sugarcoating that fact, but fans need to give him some grace and remember that he's still growing in this league.

Rookies are allowed to struggle; that's just part of the game, and Blackmon has shown flashes of potential that should let Vikings fans feel comfortable knowing this won't be too common an occurrence for the young defensive back.