Vikings @ Giants – Combined 11 Personnel Offence
Vikings football is back! The Vikings travel to take on the Giants in week one and will be battling it out for an opening weekend victory.
However, if you had to combine them to make the best starting 11 personnel offence (1 running back, 3 wide receivers, and 1 tight end) which players would make the team?
QB – Daniel Jones NYG
As much as I’m am optimistic about Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones has one thing he doesn’t… a playoff win. Neither QB has justified their status as a top 6 draft pick in their career to date, but week 1 is full of unknowns, and hopefully Sam Darnold will prove me wrong here.
RB – Aaron Jones MIN
The running back decision was no where near as difficult as the quarterback decision. Aaron Jones owns one of the highest yards per carry in NFL history! The man feels like he’s only just entering his prime and like he could play for another 8 years.
WR1 – Justin Jefferson MIN
This one is a no brainier. Jefferson is the number 1 receiver in the NFL and should be number 1 on whatever team he played on. I can’t wait to see him in action this season, he’s the highest paid receiver for a reason and anyone who thinks they should be paid more isn’t even fit to lace his cleats.
WR2 – Jordan Addison MIN
After his rookie year some claimed Jordan Addison could be a number one receiver on a lot of teams. I’m inclined to agree, when the Vikings had no Jefferson, Addison stepped up and was still able to produce a strong rookie campaign throughout the QB carousel.
WR3 – Malik Nabers NYG
Malik Nabers scares me. I’ll admit that. I think either he and Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Cardinals could be the best rookie receiver the league has seen since 2021. The Vikings once got burned by a rookie wideout in week 1 and I’m begging for history not to repeat itself.
TE – TJ Hockenson MIN
Yes I know he’s injured but the Hock will be back this season, likely after the bye, and when he’s back I expect him to finish the season as one of best tight ends in yards per game played. As for the Giants in this position… their best Tight End retired to become a pop star, I guess he’d seen enough of Daniel Jones!
LT – Christian Darrisaw MIN
Darrisaw got paid and for got reason! He’s excellent and a top 5 tackle in the league. The Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas deserves a mention here, he’s another good lineman but I’m still picking Darrisaw every day of the week.
LG – Blake Brandel MIN
The Giants Jon Runyon Jr. might be a familiar name, but just being a former Packer isn’t reason for missing out on this combined XI. Runyan’s PFF grade has dropped each season since 2021 and whilst unproven, Brandel was convincing enough for the Vikings to favour him immediately over a consensus league average guard in Dalton Risner
C – Garrett Bradbury MIN
Garrett Bradbury has made positive steps since Kevin O’Connell took over. He still struggles against Kenny Clark but that’s better than 2nd year Giants Center John Michael Schmitz Jr who pretty much struggled against everyone.
RG – Greg Van Roten NYG
Enough trash talk about the Giants interior O line. Van Roten is actually good, he’s coming off a career year at the Raiders and is a signing the Giants made that I’m jealous of. I’m jealous because us Vikings fans know the alternative (it’s Ed Ingram), and I’m not sold on any of the so-called positive steps he may have made in camp until I see it in a game that matters.
RT – Brian O’Neill MIN
Brian O’Neill is underrated. He’s a great leader of the team and it’s so clear to see why he’s been named a team captain for the 4th year in a row. Like on the flip side of the line, the Giants Right Tackle Jermaine Eluemunor is another strong alternative in this XI. What this proves is that the matchup between each team’s offensive tackles and edge rushers will be a captivating contest which could be the X-factor to decide the game.
What do you think of my starting offence? Would you change anything?
