The Minnesota Vikings are about two weeks into training camp. While much of the roster feels settled, there are still a lot of competitions and questions. Here’s another too early look at those competitions and questions.
Quarterbacks (2)
Kirk Cousins
Kellen Mond
It’s time for Kellen Mond to take on the backup job. It’s time for Sean Mannion to not be the backup.
Running Backs (4)
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Kene Nwangwu
Ty Chandler
This group is pretty straightforward.
Fullback (1)
C.J. Ham
Wide Receivers (6)
Justin Jefferson
Adam Thielen
K.J. Osborn
Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Jalen Nailor
Olabisi Johnson
The first four receivers feel set. If the Vikings keep five receivers, the final spot is wide open. If the Vikings keep six receivers, the final two spots are wide open. In this projection, I have moved from five receivers to six. Initially, I felt that Jalen Nailor’s best path to the roster was punt returns. Now, I think that he makes the roster on his receiving potential. I currently have Olabisi Johnson making the roster over veteran Albert Wilson, Trishton Jackson, Dan Chisena, Myron Mitchell, Blake Proehl, and Thomas Hennigan. The competition for the final receiver spots are still wide open.
Tight Ends (3)
Irv Smith Jr.
Johnny Mundt
Zach Davidson
The top two tight ends feel set. Irv Smith Jr.’s thumb injury has given Zach Davidson, Nick Muse, Ben Ellefson, and Sean Beyer extra opportunities. Davidson appears to be taking advantage. A few drops have been worrisome but he seems to have done more good than not so good. His 6’7” height and speed are intriguing.
Offensive Line (9)
Christian Darrisaw
Ezra Cleveland
Garrett Bradbury
Ed Ingram
Brian O’Neill
Vederian Lowe
Jesse Davis
Chris Reed
Austin Schlottman
The toughest offensive line decisions were not keeping 2021 third-round pick Wyatt Davis and deciding between Vederain Lowe and Oli Udoh. For this offense, I like Chris Reed over Davis at guard. It’s up to Davis to prove that he belongs. His rookie season was a wash. It’s a toss-up between Lowe and Udoh. I’m going with Lowe here mostly for his selection in the more recent draft. Jesse Davis has been getting most of the first string snaps at right guard. I believe that Ed Ingram will eventually wrestle the job from him. Davis has guard-tackle versatility. That should insure his spot on the roster. If Reed can back up center and guard, Austin Schlottman’s roster spot could be in jeopardy.
Defensive Line (6)
Harrison Phillips
Dalvin Tomlinson
Armon Watts
James Lynch
Esezi Otomewo
Jaylen Twyman
It’s going to take a while to get used to the defensive front breakdown of the Vikings new defense. It’s going to be a base 3-4. That’s the easy part. I suppose it’s understanding the positional separation of the defensive end/tackle tweeners and defensive end/edge crossovers that will be the most challenging. Dalvin Tomlinson, Harrison Phillips, and Armon Watts present a stout and sturdy middle. I like James Lynch, Jaylen Twyman, and Esezi Otomewo as interior pass rushers. I really like Lynch as a breakout player. Right now, I have veteran additions Jonathan Bullard and Jullian Taylor on the outside of the 53-man roster.
Edge (5)
Danielle Hunter
Za’Darius Smith
D.J. Wonnum
Patrick Jones II
Janarius Robinson
The highlight for this group is the pass rushing duo of Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith. I’m really looking forward to seeing Hunter and Smith on the field together. And staying on the field all season. Of the backup edge rushers, Janarius Robinson intrigues me the most. Perhaps that’s because he missed all of his rookie season. He’s intriguing as a complete unknown. I have D.J. Wonnum, Patrick Jones II, and Robinson holding off roster challenges from Adrian Mintze, Zach McCloud, and Luiji Vilain.
Linebackers (4)
Eric Kendricks
Jordan Hicks
Brian Asamoah
Troy Dye
The top three linebackers are set. I want to keep five linebackers because I like the potential of Troy Dye and Chazz Surratt. Blake Lynch will also be in play for a linebacker spot. I currently have the linebackers losing a roster spot to receivers. That creates a three-way competition for one roster spot. For now, I have Dye winning that competition.
Cornerbacks (6)
Patrick Peterson
Cam Dantzler
Chandon Sullivan
Andrew Booth Jr.
Akayleb Evans
Kris Boyd
The offseason evolution of the Vikings cornerback position has been remarkable. In March, it was frightening. Only four were on the roster and Cam Dantzler was the only one of starting quality. Now, I see cornerback as a potential strength. The biggest question with the cornerbacks is whether five or six make the roster. With the age of Patrick Peterson and injury concerns with Andrew Booth Jr., I think that it’s six. It may even be six without those concerns. An NFL team can never have enough cornerbacks. The top five are easy. The starters are currently Peterson and Dantzler. Chandon Sullivan is the leading contender for the nickel role. With all due respect to Peterson, Andrew Booth Jr. might be the most talented cornerback on the roster. He’ll play his way onto the field. I see Dantzler, Booth, and Akayleb Evans as the Vikings cornerback future. Kris Boyd will have to fend off challenges from Harrison Hand, Nate Hairston, Tye Smith, and Parry Nickerson.
Safeties (4)
Harrison Smith
Lewis Cine
Camryn Bynum
Josh Metellus
Safety ranks with running backs as the easiest group to project. I was so set to see Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum as the Vikings starting safeties that I never really considered safety early in the draft. Then the Vikings drafted Lewis Cine. I can not wait to see Smith and Cine on the field. It’s going to be a blast. The coaches will find a way to get the safety trio of Smith, Cine, and Bynum on the field together. Josh Metellus is a special teams standout. Safety is suddenly a team strength.
Kicker (1)
Greg Joseph
Punter (1)
Ryan Wright
Long Snapper (1)
Andrew DePaola
2/3 of the kicking battery is settled. Greg Joseph and Andrew DePaola have no competition. Joseph has been great through two weeks of training camp. For no particular reason, I’m going with the undrafted rookie Ryan Wright over incumbent Jordan Berry at punter. Wright was a fairly highly regarded high school quarterback. I kinda like the idea of a punter that can throw. That being said, Wright has to win the job with his punting.
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