First, let's address the controversy.
Justin Jefferson was revealed last week as the No. 2 wide receiver in this year's very-soon-to-be-released version of the popular video game, "Madden 25." That's acceptable – Jets missed seven games last year and is behind Tyreek Hill – but his "98" rating is d-i-s-r-e-s-p-e-c-t-f-u-l. Is Jets really being knocked for unavailability?
There's been an outcry for Jefferson to rejoin the exclusive 99 Club. He had a career-high 104.7 yards per game in 2023, reeling off his fourth consecutive season of 1,000 yards. Doing it in 10 games!
It's reasonable to knock a player for statistical regression or combination of health concerns and older age, but Jets isn't dealing with any of the above. He was hurt for essentially the first time in his career, still managed to outdo his previously ridiculous pace and recently signed a lucrative contract extension.
In other words …
He's 25 years old, arguably the top player at his position and deserving of a "99" next to his name.
OK, let's get to the rest.
Here is a snapshot of the 10 other Vikings awarded with a minimum 80 individual launch rating in "Madden 25:" Hockenson (91), Christian Darrisaw (91), Aaron Jones (88), Harrison Smith (87), Brian O'Neill (85), Andrew Van Ginkel (83), Jordan Addison (82), Camryn Bynum (81) and Harrison Phillips (80).
A few things of note are buried there.
Darrisaw is the sixth-highest rated left tackle in the game. Above him are Trent Williams (99), Tyron Smith (95), Laremy Tunsil (94), Tristan Wirfs (94) and Terron Armstead (92). Similarly, Hockenson is the fourth-ranked tight end, falling in line behind Travis Kelce (99), George Kittle (97) and Mark Andrews (94).
On the running back leaderboard, Jones is tied for the eighth-highest overall rating, same as Kenneth Walker III. The top five at that position are Christian McCaffrey (99), Nick Chubb (96), Derrick Henry (94), Saquon Barkley (92) and Joe Mixon (91). Jones is 11 points higher than ex-Viking RB Alexander Mattison.
Even at 35 years old, Smith is the No. 5 strong safety. The four safeties that are better off are Derwin James, Jr. (28 years old; 91), Budda Baker (28; 90), Kyle Hamilton (23; 89) and Talanoa Hufanga (25; 88).
Now let's put some respect on the Vikings players who are underrated.
Swiss-army knife safety Josh Metellus is a 77. Maybe the most versatile player on the Vikings defense, Metellus logged 116 tackles, four forced fumbles, five passes defensed and 10 quarterback hits in 2023.
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard is a 77, as well. In 15 games last season for the Texans, Greenard had 12.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. He poses to be a problem for opposing offensive linemen, again.
Jonah Williams, who by the way is built similarly to Paul Bunyan, is a 69 on the initial ratings breakdown. The undrafted Williams started 22 games for the Rams over the last three seasons, including 16 of 17 in 2023. Fifty-three left defensive ends are pegged with greater overalls than Williams.
Other notable marks were given to quarterbacks Sam Darnold (70) and J.J. McCarthy (71), budding deep-threat receiver Jalen Nailor (69), rookie kicker Will Reichard (71) and Vikings first-round draft pick Dallas Turner (78).
As a whole, the Vikings have an 85 team rating, tops in the NFC North (Lions: 83; Packers: 79; Bears: 76).
Click here to browse the full page of Vikings ratings.
CBS Sports evaluates opportunities for first-round QBs
It's a daring headline, wondering, "Will J.J. McCarthy play like a veteran?"
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports went through the gamut of rookie quarterbacks Monday, predicting season outlooks for five of the six passers selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft (Michael Penix, Jr., was left out because prognosticators don't envision him unseating Kirk Cousins as Atlanta's quarterback).
McCarthy has spent the bulk of Vikings training camp marshaling the second-team offense. Darnold was listed as the starter on the team's first unofficial depth chart released Tuesday morning.
Trapasso wrote when McCarthy does play, he'll be able to benefit from "sage quarterback-friendly coaching" with Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.
Plus, the supporting cast is so top-heavy that easy throws can quickly become confidence-building splash plays. In short, it'll be rare that the Vikings are repeatedly off-schedule or behind the sticks possession after possession. Heck, the Vikings finished 10th in first downs last season without Cousins on the field for most of it.
Trapasso set the stage for each of his five rookie quarterback projections by examining respective supporting casts and exploring how the players will improve weaknesses and strengthen their strengths.
On par with the most common criticism of McCarthy, Trapasso highlights a lack of college throws on weighty downs (Head Coach Kevin O'Connell recently used this term in reference to decisive moments).
That isn't an individual weakness per se, yet moving through reads, making keen decisions under pressure, etc. likely will take time for McCarthy, as he simply didn't get ample reps doing those things at Michigan. … There are some hard-to-see rough edges to his game that need to be smoothed out before he reaches his full potential. Fortunately for the Vikings, he's only 21 years old.
On the topic of McCarthy's talents, the "young NFL player analyst" (pulled straight from Trapasso's X profile) said the QBs arm strength and athletic capabilities shined for the Wolverines on key snaps.
I loved that about him on film. He could glide effortlessly through an entire contest, almost as if he didn't have a care in the world as Michigan cruised. Yet if the Wolverines suddenly found themselves in a difficult spot, McCarthy typically came through with either a creative chain-moving scramble or a rifle shot to close the deal. In essence, his play elevates with the situation at hand.
As for the ensemble of offensive flair on the Vikings, Trapasso affirmed his belief that Jefferson is the best wideout in football. He also noted Hockenson, Addison and a well-configured offensive line bookended by talented tackles.
McCarthy couldn't reasonably ask for a better supporting cast of characters in Minnesota.
