The Vikings’ 2021 draft class has not been crucial to the team this season.
Whether it’s injuries or just a failure to launch, the Minnesota rookies have, for the most part, not been starting games and making vital plays. However, with the Vikings coming out of a bye week, all that could change.
Here are some Vikings rookies who could be looking at big roles in the rest of 2021:
Photo: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Darrisaw earned his first start of the year in Week 6. He has a PFF grade of 64. Rashod Hill was too inconsistent to keep the starting left tackle job. Darrisaw should be earning more starts in the second half of the year.
RB Kene Nwangwu
Photo: AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn
The Vikings activated Nwangwu off IR last week. Minnesota also made the corresponding roster move of releasing RB Ameer Abdullah.
Nwangwu will almost certainly be a factor in the return game at this point. With Abdullah elsewhere, Nwangwu can also serve as a receiving option at running back.
DE Patrick Jones II
Photo: AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn
The Vikings traded Stephen Weatherly to the Broncos before the deadline. Minnesota needs to replace Weatherly’s reserve edge rusher reps. Why not replace Weatherly with Jones?
Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter are currently the starting defensive ends. D.J. Wonnum is the best edge rusher off the bench. Then, there’s just Jones. The rookie third-round pick could be looking at reps very soon.
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