It was a rollercoaster of a season for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, culminating in a successful playoff push with a glittering 14-3 record. However, beneath the triumphs of their seasoned pros, the contributions from their rookie class were considerably muted—a fact that could raise eyebrows about the drafting acumen of their General Manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

A glance at the numbers tells a compelling story. The Vikings’ rookies saw the least action across the NFL, logging a mere 464 snaps on offense and defense.

In stark contrast, the rookie class of the Los Angeles Rams was a hive of activity, racking up an impressive 4,864 snaps. Still, there’s more to the story than just stats.

A slew of circumstances played a part in limiting the rookie presence on the field.

The highly anticipated quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, was sidelined for the entire season due to a torn meniscus. His unfortunate injury kept him from showcasing the skills that many are eager to see, but expectations are high for his return as the likely starter come training camp.

Meanwhile, Dallas Turner, a promising EDGE rusher, was competing for time against the likes of Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, both of whom had Pro Bowl seasons. Such veteran prowess naturally limited Turner’s on-field opportunities.

Pro Football Focus provided a detailed analysis of the screen time and performance for the Vikings’ rookies, excluding special teams contributions. The special teams ace, kicker Will Reichard, and the special teams snaps from other rookies remain outside the purview of this particular analysis.

Digging into the specifics, Dallas Turner, part of a deep defensive edge unit, saw limited game action, recording just 30 snaps but still managing to impress with a PFF grade of 72.1. This is a testament to his potential once given more opportunities.

Other defensive hopefuls like Taki Taimani, Gabriel Murphy, Bo Richter, and Dwight McGlothern, along with Levi Drake Rodriguez, face a similar challenge. With stiff competition for playing time, their development and eventual contribution are critical to the Vikings’ long-term success.

While they might not have had an explosive debut season, the Vikings’ rookies have sown the seeds for future impact. As the transition to the next NFL season begins, the anticipation of what these young talents could bring to the table is palpable. With any luck, the 2025 season will offer more opportunities for these emerging players to shine and prove their worth on the gridiron.