Most important 2024 Minnesota Viking is not who you think

When taking a look at the 2024 Minnesota Vikings , there are a lot of important players that come to mind. With the team loaded with talent at premium positions, you could identify any number of players to be the most important on the roster.

The first name that comes to mind is wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He is viewed as the best non-quarterback in the National Football League by many, including his peers and his average annual salary.

You could get multiple different answers to this question and The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer had an unexpected one: left tackle Christian Darrisaw.

The Vikings have a rock in pass protection in Darrisaw, whose presence becomes more critical with the transition to first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy. Darrisaw's blocking allows for plenty of pop in Kevin O'Connell's offense.

Darrisaw's presence does make a big difference in how confident O'Connell can run his offense. He knows that the starting tackles he has will allow more downfield passes and creativity in his playcalling.

Interestingly, Darrisaw gets the nod over someone like Jefferson. The offensive line itself is a position group that is more about the sum of its parts than a singular player. What makes Darrisaw different is the comparison to Trent Williams. His finishing ability is both impressive and destructive in the open field.

The Vikings would be wise to extend Darrisaw sooner rather than later.

Make sure to check out our home page every day for the best and latest Minnesota Vikings news and analysis.