Vikings Rookies

The Minnesota Vikings rookies step on an NFL training camp field for the first time today. Exciting times. In honor of those times, here are the rookies that I'm most interested in seeing progress over the remainder of the summer and into the season.

1.   Garrett Bradbury, C

2.   Dru Samia, G

3.   Oli Udoh, T

4.   Dillon Mitchell, WR

5.   Irv Smith Jr., TE

6.   Armon Watts, DT

7.   Alexander Mattison, RB

8.   Jake Browning, QB

9.   Olabisi Johnson, WR

10. Austin Cutting, LS

11. Kris Boyd, CB

12. Cameron Smith, LB

13. Marcus Epps, S

14. Davion Davis, WR

15. Nate Meadors, CB

As I was thinking about this list I realized that it was a little silly. That didn't slow me. I'm interested in seeing how all 26 of the rookies progress. Perhaps undrafted Alexander Hollins outplays the three receivers that I did put among the 15 rookies listed above. 

By drafting three offensive linemen in the 2019 NFL Draft the Vikings took a significant swing at improving the weakest position group on the team. Garrett Bradbury is only the third offensive lineman selected in the first round this century (Bryant McKinnie and Matt Kalil). Bradbury has already by named the starting center. Between him, left guard Pat Elflein, right tackle Brian O'Neill, and Dru Samia the Vikings now have the foundation for a strong, talented offensive line. Oli Udoh is a raw, small school project. He has NFL size and natural talent. If he can develop he will join that foundation. It's been a while since the Vikings have had high-end, home-grown draft talent on the offensive line. 

Due to the simple fact that the offensive line has to improve, the rookie offensive linemen are at the top of my rookie watch list. From there, I'm interested in seeing all of the rookies. All 26 of them.

1.   Micah Abernathy
2.   Terrence Alexander
3.   Khari Blasingame
4.   Kris Boyd
5.   Garrett Bradbury
6.   Jake Browning
7.   Austin Cutting 
8.   Davion Davis
9.   Brandon Dillon
10. Marcus Epps
11. Alexander Hollins 
12. Olabisi Johnson
13. Stacy Keely
14. John Keenoy
15. Alexander Mattison
16. Nate Meadors
17. Dillon Mitchell
18. Tito Odenigbo
19. Tiano Pupungatoa
20. Anree Saint-Amour
21. Dru Samia
22. Irv Smith Jr.
23. Cameron Smith
24. Olisaemeka Udoh
25. Armon Watts
26. Isaiah Wharton

The Vikings' rookies are on the field today. Welcome to the 2019 season.