Minnesota Vikings 2025 bold predictions highlighted by an impactful pass catcher with some high-upside defensive pieces ready to break out

Dallas Turner will have 8+ sacks and 2+ interceptions

After the Vikings gave up a lot to move up for Dallas Turner, his rookie season didn't inspire a lot of confidence among the fanbase. He played just 310 defensive snaps in the regular season and had just 3.0 sacks. However, the context here is key, as Turner didn't have a filled out enough frame to play either of the roles that Pat Jones II and Jihad Ward did in the NASCAR package, and the Vikings weren't going to sit Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard with their tremendous seasons.

What Turner did in his rookie season was show real growth throughout the year and there was ample evidence of that in multiple areas. With both Jones and Ward not returning, Turner is going to get a siginficantly higher amount of snaps. 

Not only that, but Turner looks significantly stronger going into training camp. Having an improved body with the higher amount of snaps will lead to much more production. With how much Turner will likely be dropping into coverage, seeing production in both areas makes a lot of sense.

Jordan Addison will lead the Vikings in touchdowns

When you look at the Vikings' offense, it runs through Justin Jefferson. However, touchdowns are different than sheer production. When Calvin Johnson nearly had 2,000 receiving yards, he had just four touchdowns. Why? He got tackled inside the five a half dozen times, proving that they are a random stat.

Jefferson is going to draw a lot of attention, as he should, which gives Addison a much easier path to getting separation against single coverage. Last year, Addison had nine touchdowns in 15 games compared to Jefferson's 10 in 17 games. What makes this bold is the likely suspension that Addison will receive for his DUI arrest from last summer, as his trial is currently set for July 15th. Addison understands how to create separation in tight spaces and can make himself an easy target for McCarthy.

Isaiah Rodgers will outperform his contract

The Vikings are in an interesting spot when it comes to the cornerback position. 

Right now, the Vikings have just one player at the position that most seem to have confidence in, and that's Byron Murphy Jr. Outside of him, it's a bunch of question marks. Despite the trepidation from the fanbase and media, defensive coordinator Brian Florea is incredibly bullish on him.

"He's been on my radar since he was at UMass, a fast playmaker. I think he's one of these kind of late-round guys who found his way in the league in the kicking game. And got in some games and made some plays. I've always thought he was a good player and was ascending. And the opportunity presented itself that we could maybe acquire him. I was all in, and I'm happy we got him. He's been a great addition. He's got a great kind of football IQ and acumen. That's something that we stressed, really, throughout the group, at all levels, secondary, second level, and obviously D line. And I think it's just a great addition we talk about, you know, bringing guys in who as far as building a synergy within the group. How does this guy mesh with Murph (Byron Murphy Jr.) and Harry (Harrison Smith) and Telly (Josh Metellus), and he's just come in and done a great job from that standpoint."

Rodgers has a lot of ability, but his size presents a lot of questions, as he's just 5'10 and 175 lbs. Those elements haven't mattered much to the Vikings when you look at their recent history with the NFL Draft. If Rodgers can put together a season like the flashes he showed with the Eagles, the Vikings could have their next big value on defense.

Vikings will win the NFC North

We have started doing NFC North roundtables with the other beat writers here at A to Z Sports, and I picked the Vikings to win.

When you look at all four teams in the division, they all have a large amount of talent on them. Taking a look at all four teams in the division, there isn't a team with a better balance of weapons and trenches, both groups which could easily be argued that the Vikings are best in the division.

When you look at the weapons, the duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is far and away the best, and T.J. Hockenson is the best and most well-rounded tight end in the division. The offensive line woes that have haunted the Vikings for years are finally going to be behind them after completely fixing the unit this offseason with an entirely new interior, and the defensive front is explosive and can generate pressure with the best of them.

The only major question for the Vikings is at quarterback, since J.J. McCarthy is set to play his first regular season snaps. Luckily for him, the roster is relatively QB-proof, so average quarterback play can elevate the Vikings to another level. Pair that with a favorable end of season schedule, with just one game in a cold weather environment after Thanksgiving against the New York Giants in week 16.

The other teams in the division have significantly more questions, including the Detroit Lions. They lost both coordinators and they lost their most valuable player in Frank Ragnow. It's certainly possible with their infrastructure that they will continue this sucess, but proof of concept is needed before I think they can repeat for a third-consecutive year, especially with Ben Johnson receiving nearly all the credit for the success of the offense.

There are a lot of variables with all four teams, but I'm the most confident that the Vikings can figure theirs out.