The Vikings cannot expect to make up all that ground in one year, especially with a paucity of picks in 2025. But simply put, they must get more out of their past and future drafts next year and beyond.
That is where the caveats are at least useful in explaining how Addison was alone with his status last year.
J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, last year’s first-round picks, were not starters in 2024. If healthy, both figure to be huge factors in 2025 and beyond. The same could be said for 2023 third-round pick Mekhi Blackmon, who was injured last season.
The death of 2024 fourth-round pick Khyree Jackson is a tragedy that looks crude placed next to other names but still needs to be noted.
Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., an undrafted free agent in 2023, should have a long and productive career here.
Will Reichard, last year’s sixth-round pick, looks to be a fixture at kicker. Even the disastrous 2022 draft produced Ed Ingram, Ty Chandler and Jalen Nailor, three players who contributed even if they didn’t start at the end of 2024.