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6 Vikings Training Camp Battles that Matter in 2024
By Andrew Buller-Russ,
17 hours ago
Football is in the air, which means the Minnesota Vikings training camp battles are soon to begin. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has assembled a roster that’s sure to feature a lot of competition this summer.
Now it’s up to coach Kevin O’Connell to get the most out of the pieces he’s been given. So, which Vikings training camp battles can fans look forward to?
Minnesota Vikings fans get first QB competition since 2014
Credit: Andy Kenutis – Minnesota Vikings
It’s crazy to think back, but the Vikings haven’t headed into the season with a quarterback battle since 2014 , when it was either Teddy Bridgewater, Matt Cassel, or Christian Ponder. It’s a similar scenario this year, only J.J. McCarthy, selected tenth, was drafted far ahead of Bridgewater, who was the final player picked in the first round.
Vikings coaches have done their best to lower expectations of the 21-year-old while hyping up former No. 2 overall pick Sam Darnold. But teams don’t take players in the top ten and then sit them on the bench all year long.
Darnold may very well be in for a career year, but if McCarthy looks ahead of the curve, the coaching staff may not have a choice but to start him. Once the locker room becomes convinced he’s ‘the guy,’ there’s no looking back.
After letting K.J. Osborn leave in free agency, the Vikings suddenly have a gaping hole at the third receiver position. The in-house leader to snag the WR3 role is Brandon Powell, who’s seemingly Coach O’Connell’s teacher’s pet. But there are several worthy competitors too.
Vikings coaches have also propped up Jalen “Speedy” Nailor for a couple of seasons now. Injuries have held him back, but if Nailor can stay on the field, he may prove to be the best pure receiver of the bunch. There’s always the chance that Trent Sherfield Sr, Lucky Jackson, or possibly even an outside addition becomes the third receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison too.
MN Vikings training camp battles in trenches could be pivotal
Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings’ interior offensive line has been a weak point for several seasons now. Garrett Bradbury finding his way in 2022 was a much-needed development, and the same goes for Ed Ingram last season. But there are still question marks at left guard , despite Dalton Risner providing a steady hand in 2023.
Now the Vikings are starting from scratch, opening up the competition at guard between Risner, Ingram (who probably isn’t at risk of losing his job), and Blake Brandel. The Vikings didn’t give Brandel near-starter money just so he could stick around as a trusted backup; he’s definitely in the mix to start. Yet, competition breeds excellence, so maybe lighting a fire along the interior is just what this team needs.
Arguably the Vikings’ biggest weakness heading into the season, the Vikings NEED to identify a difference-maker along the defensive line. Harrison Phillips is an above-average player, but he’ll never be elite, and he needs some help.
Unlike other areas of the team (defensive backs), the Vikings’ new regime hasn’t invested much draft capital into the defensive trenches. Edge rusher, sure, but not on the interior. However, the Vikings have a collection of ‘bodies’ who could snag a starting role. Along with Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, and Jerry Tillery are the expected starters, but don’t sleep on 2023 fifth-round pick Jaquelin Roy or James Lynch from earning a role either.
We also can’t forget about the fire inside Levi Drake Rodriguez’s heart. The rest of the NFL passed on LDR several times over before the Vikings ended his freefall as the 232nd overall pick. But coaches love his motor , giving him just as strong of a chance as any other competitor in this dogfight.
Byron Murphy Jr replaced Patrick Peterson as the Vikings’ top cornerback with ease last season. After that? The jobs are up for grabs. Shaq Griffin, as a former Pro Bowl cornerback, is a good bet to hold down a starting role.
But Mekhi Blackmon and Akayleb Evans won’t make it easy. They combined for 18 starts last season (15 for Evans, 3 for Blackmon). There’s always the possibility Andrew Booth Jr shows up healthy and ready to live up to his potential as a former second-round pick, too; he’s only 23.
That’s not even accounting for 2023 undrafted rookies Jaylin Williams, NaJee Thompson, or the safety/cornerback hybrid Jay Ward. There’s a lot of competition here. Aside from the perceived QB battle, watching the corners slug it out might be the next best show in town.
Kickers are people too. The Vikings let Greg Joseph test free agency, which led to him joining a three-headed Green Bay Packers competition. Good luck.
Meanwhile, the Vikings have turned their attention to All-XFL kicker John Parker Romo , who’s spent time with the Saints, Lions, and Bears. But he’s never kicked in an NFL game. Although, some kickers just take longer to find their way, and it’s possible the 26-year-old is ready for primetime.
But then there’s Will Reichard, who the Vikings couldn’t wait to make the first kicker drafted back in April. The sixth-round pick out of Alabama has a big boot , which should play well in U.S. Bank Stadium, and coaches are already impressed . Since the Vikings used a draft pick on Reichard, it’s hard to imagine him losing his roster spot, but it all depends on the competition.
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