The Minnesota Vikings enter the 2022 NFL season hoping to reach their full potential. Minnesota boasts incredible talent such as Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, Danielle Hunter, and Harrison Smith, but they haven't been able to put it all together.
Since their NFC Championship Game appearance in 2018, the Vikings have missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. This trend coincides with the Vikings bringing in quarterback Kirk Cousins in the 2018 offseason, leading many fans to question his viability in Minnesota. However, the Vikings made the controversial decision to extend him this offseason, indicating they see themselves as contenders.
It's clear that Minnesota needs more than just its stars to produce to get where they want to be. Let's look at who can be the diamonds in the rough for the Vikings.
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Vikings Hidden Gems On 2022 Roster
Andrew Booth Jr.
The Vikings desperately needed help on defense in 2021. Minnesota sported the third-worst total defense in the league, allowing over 380 yards per game. The pass defense was arguably the main culprit, finishing fifth-worst in the league with over 250 yards allowed per game.
Minnesota attempted to shore up their secondary in the 2022 NFL draft. The Vikings not only selected Georgia safety Lewis Cine with their first-round pick but also Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. early in the second round.
Booth enjoyed a productive college career in three years with the Tigers. In 2020, he earned second-team all-ACC honors with 27 tackles, four pass break-ups, and two interceptions. He then built on that performance with 37 tackles and a team-high three interceptions, earning another second-team selection.
Booth is listed as a backup behind Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler, but should still see action in nickel and dime sets. Those close to him, including Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, believe he'll make an immediate impact on Minnesota's defense.
“They are getting, first of all, a great person with a great spirit to him,” Swinney said in a statement. “[He is] a guy that loves to play. From a football standpoint, they're getting a rare corner: long, explosive, fast, a physical tackler at the corner position, which is really not always the case, with great ball skills. Very instinctive guy, and I think a guy that helps the team right away.”
If Swinney is right, the Vikings' secondary received a much-needed boost heading into the season.
Albert Wilson
Wilson is capable of providing quality depth to any team's wide receiver room. He's racked up 2,499 yards and 12 touchdowns through seven seasons with the Chiefs and Dolphins.
Wilson recorded 554 yards and three touchdowns in 2017, his last season with Kansas City. He followed that up with 391 yards and four touchdowns in 2018 with Miami but suffered an injury that limited him to just seven games. His stats took a dip since his return, as he has failed to record 400 yards in each of his last two seasons.
Minnesota took a chance on the veteran receiver despite his dip in production. Wilson is expected to be a depth receiver behind Jefferson, Adam Theilen, and K.J. Osborn. If he can rebound to his pre-injury production, he could be a key weapon in the Vikings' passing attack. They certainly need the help so hopefully, Wilson can return to the player he was before, it will be good news for the Vikings.
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