The Timberwolves and Vikings both gave their fans many exciting moments last season. Expectations are high for both franchises as their regular seasons are fast approaching. Let’s take a look at some Timberwolves/Vikings player comparisons for this year.
Anthony Edwards & Justin Jefferson
Let’s start with the most obvious comparison. Both were drafted in 2020. Many see Edwards as the NBA’s best shooting guard. Many see Jefferson as the NFL’s best wide receiver.
Edwards and Jefferson are both still very young as well, 24 and 26 years old, respectively. Minnesota sports fans are grateful that they get to cheer these two on each time they are playing, as few in their respective sports can match their greatness.
Rob Dillingham & Dallas Turner
Both of these players will be entering their second season. The Timberwolves traded for the eighth overall pick in 2024 to select Dillingham by giving up a 2030 first-round pick swap and a 2031 first- round pick. The Vikings traded the 23rd pick and three later selections last year to the Jaguars to move up to 17th. They took Turner, an edge rusher, with that pick.
Dillingham and Turner both had uneven rookie seasons. Dillingham played just 516 total minutes plus a minuscule 16 in the playoffs. Turner played just 28% of the Vikings’ defensive snaps. Both are expected to play larger roles in Year 2.
Terrence Shannon Jr. & J.J. McCarthy
Not a perfect comparison, as McCarthy plays the important position of quarterback, and Shannon Jr. will mostly be a reserve. Both are second-year players (although McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with injury).
They are also expected to take over for players who had a huge role for their teams last season. Sam Darnold had a resurgent season for their Vikings and is now a member of the Seahawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker played 24.4 minutes per game without missing a single outing over the last two seasons, but he signed with the Hawks in the offseason.
Jaden McDaniels & Byron Murphy Jr.
McDaniels is normally tasked with guarding the opposition’s best perimeter player. As CB1, Murphy Jr. normally covers the opposition’s best wide receiver.
Both have recently received honors for their strong play on the defensive side. McDaniels made the All-Defensive second team in 2023-24 while Murphy Jr. earned a Pro Bowl nod last season.
Aaron Jones & Rudy Gobert
Age may be seen as a concern for both of these players. Jones has reached the age of 30, which has seen numerous running backs fall off a cliff. Gobert turned 33 in late June.
Both are still productive players who are important to their team’s success, though. Jones actually rushed for a career-best 1,138 yards last season, and Gobert made the All-Defensive second team. They are also both on their second team after lengthy tenures with the first (Gobert with the Jazz, Jones with the Packers).