Here are some of the “big” storylines of the Vikings OTAs
1. Defense, Defense, Defense.
The biggest difference between Kevin O’Connell’s first year as the Vikings head coach and his second year will be the defense. The defense last year under Ed Donatell was terrible. It was passive and slow. That’s the wrong way to play against aggressive and fast offenses. Enter Brian Flores. His defenses in New England and Miami played aggressively and fast. The Vikings biggest addition of the offseason was the hiring of Flores.
2. Cornerback Competition.
No Vikings position changed more than cornerback this offseason. Over the last half of the 2022 season, the Vikings cornerback depth chart looked like this.
Patrick Peterson
Cam Dantzler
Duke Shelley
Chandon Sullivan
All are playing elsewhere. Entering OTAs, the top of the Vikings cornerback depth chart looks like this.
Byron Murphy Jr.
Andrew Booth Jr.
Akayleb Evans
Mekhi Blackmon
Byron Murphy Jr. was the Vikings biggest free agent addition. The apparent plan is for Murphy to play outside in base and move inside in nickel. His versatility will fit nicely in Flores’ plan to field an unpredictable defense. After Murphy, the cornerback competition will be wide open and should be the team’s most intriguing competition of training camp.
3. New Edge Tandem.
Last season, the Vikings slow and passive defense boasted a potent edge rushing tandem of Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith. Marcus Davenport was signed in free agency. For most of the offseason, it looked like the Vikings might boast an edge trio of Hunter, Smith, and Davenport. That was shaved to a tandem when Smith was traded to the Cleveland Browns. Davenport has freakish strength and natural talent. While he showed flashes of dominance in his five years with the New Orleans Saints, he never really put together a complete season. Hopefully, Flores and outside linebacker coach Mike Smith can bring out Davenport’s tremendous potential.
4. Second-year defenders.
Much has been made of last season’s lack of rookie production from Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth Jr., Brian Asamoah, and Akayleb Evans. Cine, Booth, and Evans had their rookie seasons cut short by injuries. Asamoah played the entire season behind the veteran linebacker duo of Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks. All four of those second-year defenders should be contenders for starting jobs this year. Kendricks is now with the Los Angeles Chargers and Asamoah is penciled as the starter next to Hicks. I expect Cine to start next to Harrison Smith. One or both of Booth and Evans should start next to Murphy. A fifth second-year defender that should contend for significant snaps is defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo. The Vikings didn’t get much from their 2022 Draft Class but that should change considerably this season.
5. Receiver Competition.
The Vikings receiver group starts with Justin Jefferson. That’s a beautiful place to start. The departure of Adam Thielen this offseason opened up competition at WR2. K.J. Osborn has shown in some spectacular moments that he’s ready for the role. The Vikings selected USC receiver Jordan Addison in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to pair nicely with Jefferson. The Vikings top 3 receivers are clearly Jefferson, Osborn, and Addison heading into the 2023 season. That’s a nice trio. I like second-year Jalen Nailor to emerge from a crowded group behind the top three.
6. Running back questions.
The biggest question with the Vikings running backs is whether Dalvin Cook will be one of them. If he remains in Minnesota, he tops a very crowded room.
Dalvin Cook
Alexander Mattison
Ty Chandler
Kene Nwangwu
DeWayne McBride
That’s a very crowded room. Even though the Vikings only gave Mattison a modest extension, it’ tough to see both Cook and Mattison at the top of the RB depth chart. The Vikings current decision-makers signed Mattison and selected Chandler and McBride in the past two drafts. It’s easy to see those three backs being part of a committee moving forward. Nwangwu provides unique kick-return ability. That leaves Cook on the outside. His big contract puts him even further outside. I will hate to see Cook leave. He’s still a terrific runner and a team leader, on and off the field. The Vikings have already lost enough of those this offseason.
Vikings OTAs start today. Football is fun. Football practice is fun. Even non-contract practice.
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