An Access Vikings podcast listener asked us on our most recent episode — which went online Thursday — to come up with positive developments in this predominantly negative 1-5 season.
Andrew Krammer started, bringing up the emergence of second-year tight end Irv Smith Jr. in recent weeks. Smith has caught four passes each of the past two games, topping 50 yards both times, after totaling just two catches through the first four games of the season.
Ben Goessling noted the biggest one by far: rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He has the highest Pro Football Focus grade of any receiver in the NFL and has caught 28 passes for 537 yards while topping 100 yards three of the past four weeks.