The haul of free agents that Minnesota signed last spring has impacted culture and performance.
So it's no wonder the Vikings are strongly represented on a list compiled this week by Pro Football Focus.
The frequently cited analytics website shared on Wednesday its ranking of the best 2024 NFL free-agent signings and two Vikings players, QB Sam Darnold and OLB Jonathan Greenard, popped up in the top 10.
Darnold actually leads the group, a distinction that coincides with "M-V-P!" chants at the conclusion of his career day and Minnesota's thrashing of Atlanta last Sunday, as well as the ensuing NFC Offensive Player of the Week accolades.
Bradley Locker of PFF wrote the following about Darnold, who is amidst a one-year, $10 million contract:
Few viewed him as anything more than a temporary starter — a placeholder until J.J. McCarthy would take the reins. Instead, Darnold has finally played like the top-flight quarterback prospect that some never gave up on. Among qualifying quarterbacks, Darnold ranks fifth in PFF passing grade (84.4), sixth in PFF overall grade (86.4), second in big-time throw rate (6.9%) and fifth in wins above replacement (2.50). Darnold's play is one of the foremost reasons the Vikings sit at 11-2 and as a legitimate contender.
PFF grades help quantify the gargantuan leap Darnold has made under Kevin O'Connell's direction. Darnold's overall grade this season is 20.4 points higher than his previous career best, set in 2023 as a backup, and tops his sharpest season as a starter (his rookie year with the Jets) by 21.7 points (64.7).
His success on play-action concepts – Darnold has tossed an NFL-most 13 touchdowns against only three interceptions on run-fake pass attempts – illustrates Minnesota's successful marriage between the run and pass, plus Darnold's ability to hit layered throws and attack intermediate and deep areas of the field.
Locker was similarly bullish on Greenard, who is in the first of a four-year deal:
After a breakout 2023, Greenard has been arguably even better in 2024 in Minnesota. He has totaled a second-best 60 pressures to go along with nine sacks, 32 stops and two forced fumbles. Greenard has also compiled PFF pass-rushing and run-defense grades of at least 72.7, but his high missed tackle rate (27.1%) slots him just below [Former Vikings OLB Danielle] Hunter despite equally impressive campaigns.
Several other former free agents have greatly impacted Minnesota's contention for a division title, with Andrew Van Ginkel having a strong case for inclusion because his impact eclipses any type of dataset.
View PFF's full ranking of free-agent signings here.
Dallas Turner growing into role
Rookie Dallas Turner is taking heed to a packed room of savvy, veteran outside linebackers.
In Week 14, the 17th overall draft pick logged 26 defensive snaps (35%) for the second straight game, and he notched three tackles in addition to a whammy hit on former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.
Matthew Coller of Purple Insider on Thursday wrote about Turner's evolution so far this season.
His numbers are not in the same ballpark as other rookie edge rushers like Jared Verse (59 pressures), Laiatu Latu (33 pressures) and Chop Robinson (40 pressures).
But if we end the analysis of his rookie season right there, we are missing a ton of context. He can't reasonably be compared to those players because the circumstances are much different.
Turner's ops on defense have generally been slim because of regular roles for Greenard, Van Ginkel, Pat Jones II and Jihad Ward. The former two rank third and fourth in snaps among NFL edge rushers.
The depth gives Turner a clear-and-present chance to learn, which he's doing at a high level.
Earlier this week, Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores addressed Turner's recent increase in playing time and mentioned sitting him down for a check-in he tends to do with rookies once the college season ends because there's risk some first-year players hit a wall late in the year of a 17-game schedule.
"It was more big-picture," Flores explained. "It was more – I think the kid's super talented. I think he's got a bright future [ahead] of him. He's doing everything he's supposed to do, but just if there's any advice I could give him to make what he's doing a little bit better, for now and moving forward."
Turner opened up to Coller about his 1-on-1 with Flores and how he absorbed the individualized insights.
"Anything Coach Flo' says, he might not know it, but I'm always listening," Turner said. "He's a very knowledgeable coach, and I'm blessed to have him as my defensive coordinator. My first year, to be around someone with that football caliber, understanding the places that he's coached in, I'd be an idiot if I didn't learn from him. I'd be real ignorant if I didn't learn from him. I told myself that from Day 1.
"My skill set is still developing, I'm a young player in this league, and there's a lot of stuff that can be worked on," Turner added, noting the prominent mental game he must continue to develop. "Just learning from my mistakes and only making mistakes one time and being a real student of the game and having humility whenever I mess up. Being open to every single piece of information I'm given from my coaches. Being open to all knowledge. Coming to work with the right mindset every day."
Turner said jokingly it feels like he's aged from 21 to 35 this year, but he is trusting of Flores' vision for him.
"I have to keep my perspective and learn the most from it," Turner commented.
Read the rest of Coller’s article on Turner, which delves into his coverage snaps and a comparison to former Pro Bowl LB Dont'a Hightower, who was a key piece of three Super Bowl-winning Patriots teams.
