Minnesota Vikings season preview: Top 5 most important players for J.J. McCarthy's success

The Minnesota Vikings are set to report to training camp in just under three weeks, and quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be firmly under the microscope. It's not just going to be on McCarthy to take that step, it will also be huge for the players around him to elevate him to the level that he […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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The Minnesota Vikings are set to report to training camp in just under three weeks, and quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be firmly under the microscope.

It's not just going to be on McCarthy to take that step, it will also be huge for the players around him to elevate him to the level that he needs to get to. We know that head coach Kevin O'Connell is going to be a huge element to his success, but who are the most important players to his success right now? The list may surprise you, as it leaves off arguably the Vikings' second-best player on the roster.

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5. TE Josh Oliver

This is an interesting one across the board. Most people might put left tackle Christian Darrisaw here, and I understand that. He's one of the best left tackles in the National Football League. However, what leaves him off the list is the fact that the offensive line is a weak link system. What Oliver brings as a blocking tight end to me is farther above replacement level than what Darrisaw is over a guy like Blake Brandel or Justin Skule.

Oliver is arguably the best blocking tight end in the NFL, and having that kind of player on your roster is a massive advantage, as he's essentially an extra offensive tackle.

4. RB Jordan Mason

The Vikings' running game is something that needs a lot of attention. The main reason for that is how poor they were in short-yardage situations. When it got to third or fourth and short, the Vikings struggled to get the first down on the ground. That especially came up huge in the red zone.

To help support McCarthy, having a running game that can be relied upon is going to be huge, especially in the short-yardage game. The Vikings did everything they could to bolster that with the offensive line improvements. If Mason comes into Minnesota and does exactly what we think he will, it's going to do wonders for McCarthy by giving him a running game he can trust.

3. TE T.J. Hockenson

Having really good pass catchers is going to be crucial to seeing early and sustained success for McCarthy. One of those is maximizing those weapons.

The special part about Hockenson's game is the choice route. He goes straight up the seam and then breaks it off around the 6-8 yard mark based on the leverage of the coverage. It can be a post, dig, out, corner, hook, or seam route. Having that chemistry with that route is huge, as it was the number one way for the Vikings to convert on third down before the torn ACL Hockenson suffered at the end of the 2023 season. Get the chemistry down, and you have a weapon at your disposal.

2. WR Justin Jefferson

You might be asking yourself why Jefferson isn't at number one. I'll get there in a minute, but the impact that Jefferson will have on a young McCarthy is going to be massive. 

We can talk about how great he is at running routes and catching the ball in traffic, and those are great points. However, what he brings from a gravity standpoint will make a bigger impact than him actually catching the ball. Coverages will be much easier over the likes of Hockenson and Jordan Addison, making McCarthy's job easier on an overall level.

1. C Ryan Kelly

This is where things get a little bit interesting. Earlier in the piece, I mentioned not including Darrisaw because of the offensive line being a weak link system. That is very true, but the center position is just different.

Kelly isn't just someone who blocks. He's the navigator of the entire unit. Calling the protections and making things easier on McCarthy is going to be crucial. Plus, you have the element of the snap. Having good chemistry with your center is an underrated aspect of the entire team. Getting things in a good spot with Kelly will prove massive throughout the entirety of the season.

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