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Minnesota Vikings: 4 players who need to step up vs Giants

By Parry Paraschou

Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and the Vikings celebrate Kendricks intercepting a Detroit Lions pass during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and the Vikings celebrate Kendricks intercepting a Detroit Lions pass during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Minnesota Vikings
Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) celebrates his two-point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Cameron Dantzler – Cornerback

After a rookie year that saw him graded as PFF’s top-graded rookie cornerback, Cameron Dantzler has been up and down in his third season in the NFL. He will make great plays like the game-sealing forced fumble on Ihmir-Smith Marsette in the Vikings game against the Bears, but he will also get burnt by opposing receivers more often than you would like to see out of a potential #1 corner. His injury history has been concerning as well, only starting 9 games his rookie season, 7 his sophomore season, and 9 so far this season.

Coming back from injury this week against the Giants, Dantzler must prove he is worthy of a CB1 type of role moving forward, and that starts with locking up a ho-hum New York receiving corps whose #1 receiver on the season is Darius Slayton( 631 yards in 13 games). If Dantzler can have a lockdown game against one of the worse passing teams in the NFL, it could boost his confidence and carry over into the rest of the season.

Get torched, however, and the Vikings are certainly going to have questions about the third-year corner moving forward…

4. T.J Hockenson- Tight End

After spending the first half of the season on the then-slumping Detroit Lions, Hockenson was traded to Minnesota in exchange for draft capital. Since coming to Minnesota, he has provided a nice security option for Kirk Cousins in the mid-field, piling up 335 yards in 7 games en route to pro bowl honors as well.

The Giants are not the greatest team against opposing tight ends this season(13th in yards allowed to tight ends) and this could be an opportunity for Hockenson to have a statement game in purple and go over the century mark in yards for the second time this season, and first in a Vikings jersey.

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