5 Vikings players who'll be missed the most in 2024

It always hurts to say goodbye to quality players on your favorite NFL team. For Minnesota Vikings fans, there are multiple fan favorites who exited the team over the past few seasons and moving on from those individuals can be difficult.

Sometimes the players who leave aren't household names, but are solid contributors who the team will miss more than many fans expect them to. Those role players elevate the team but don't get the credit they deserve for their play.

The Vikings' roster is a unit in transition. Minnesota has been moving on from aging, expensive players in favor of youth and potential, which means there could be a rough adjustment period for the team during the 2024 NFL season.

5 Vikings players who'll be missed the most in 2024

Knowing what to expect from the Minnesota Vikings this season is difficult. Since the team will have multiple players at new positions, estimating what the fresh faces will be able to will be a huge challenge.

Here are five players the Minnesota Vikings will miss the most during the 2024 NFL season.

Kirk Cousins, quarterback

The Vikings are prepared to move forward with a combination of Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy at quarterback but fans have grown accustomed to seeing the consistent play of Kirk Cousins over the last six seasons. Darnold and McCarthy could be solid quarterbacks, but all it will take is a mistake or two for fans to start to reminisce about when "Captain Kirk" was steering the ship.

Danielle Hunter, edge rusher

Minnesota did a good job of loading up on edge rushers this offseason but that doesn't mean they won't miss the production of Danielle Hunter. Last season, Hunter registered 16.5 sacks which was good for the fifth-most in the league. Getting that kind of production out of one player is hard to replace with a group effort.

Dalton Risner, guard

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings replaced Ezra Cleveland with Dalton Risner and ne shined as the team's left guard. Still unsigned as a free agent, Risner appears to be replaced by Blake Brandel for the 2024 NFL season but it is hard to know if he can hold his blocks as well as Risner did last season.

Austin Schlottmann, offensive line

Austin Schlottman was a jack of all trades for the Vikings. He was able to fill in at center or guard in nine games for Minnesota while starting three contests. While he didn't always perform at a very high level, he was a solid player that could have been a solid depth or rotational option on an offensive line that can use any help it can get.

D.J. Wonnum, edge rusher

Missing Danielle Hunter is one thing, but losing a pass rusher with the potential of a guy like D.J. Wonnum hurts too. Wonnum is a player on the rise and looked as though he could be the guy to take over when Minnesota moved on from Hunter. Having them both leave during the same offseason stings a little.