3 Minnesota Vikings on offense who have impressed during training camp practices

We are two weeks into training camp and the Minnesota Vikings have some intriguing pieces on both sides of the ball. Offensively, most of the attention and praise has gone to quarterback J.J. McCarthy .

The 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, McCarthy has flashed brilliance in practice while showing that he still has plenty of room to grow. The biggest concern with McCarthy right now is how quickly he is processing the defense.

There have been multiple standouts on the offensive side of the football and they are highlighted by pass catchers.

Minnesota Vikings training camp standouts on offense

WR Jalen Nailor

When the Vikings selected Nailor in the sixth-round of the 2022 NFL Draft, it was on the recommendation of wide receivers coach Kennan McCardell. He pounded the table for Nailor during the NFL Draft.

The interesting thing with Nailor has never been talent. Nicknamed "Speedy," Nailor has flashed it on multiple occasions during camp. He's gained separation on just about every cornerback on the roster as well as catching everything that comes his way.

WR3 is firmly up for grabs and Nailor now has the inside track on Brandon Powell. The key for Nailor is going to be staying healthy, something that he hasn't done in his first two seasons.

WR Jeshaun Jones

I have attended four training camp practices and Jones has been one of the biggest standouts. So much so that I wrote about him on both 7/31 and 8/3

The Vikings made a surprising move by giving Jones $225k guaranteed as a UDFA. He didn't make waves during the pre-draft process but flashed during his time at the University of Maryland. His first week of training camp has shown some flashes.

Is it enough for Jones to make the team? We are a little too far away from knowing that. However, he's made some impressive plays in 7-on-7 drills by getting open and making tough catches in traffic. The investment the Vikings made in Jones could end up helping him make the roster, but he will need to have a really good next four weeks.- From 7-31 training camp takeaways

The Vikings made a major investment into Jones this offseason when they gave him $225k as an undrafted free agent, the same amount they gave Gabriel Murphy.

In the opportunities he’s been presented, Jones has thrived. He is catching everything that comes his way as well as catching passes in traffic. Don’t be surprised if Jones earns a roster spot with his play.- From 8/3 training camp takeaways

Jones has excelled no matter the situation or the quarterback. He has found ways to get open and bring down passes thrown to him in traffic. The former Maryland Terrapin suffered two torn ACLs in both 2020 and 2021 but is moving very well on the practice field for the Vikings. He's a darkhorse to make the roster and a near certainty to make the active roster.

TE Nick Muse

Tight end is a very difficult position to develop in the National Football League. You have to be both a wide receiver and an offensive tackle at a high level. Both of those positions ask you to do different things which has you training differently. It's why the old scouting adage exists that you draft a tight end for their next team.

Muse was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Vikings and made the practice squad during his first seasons. He was on the active roster during the entire 2023 season but played just a handful of snaps.

What Muse has shown during the offseason is a propensity to get open and do so with route running and twitch. McCarthy has found Muse on several occasions up the seam and they have developed a nice connection. If this continues, he could get some serious playing time before T.J. Hockenson returns.

Related: Vikings training camp observations: J.J. McCarthy gets more reps with first team & injuries persist