Minnesota Minicamp

The Minnesota Vikings will gather at spectacular TCO Performance for three days of mandatory minicamp. It remains to be seen whether it goes for the entire three days. What should be the on-field highlight of the offseason practices has recently become something of a trifle around the league. Teams often cut it short. Others, the San Francisco 49ers to name one, cancel the practices before they even start. Whether it goes the full three days, or not, the Vikings will be on those spectacular practice fields today. We’ll see what tomorrow brings tomorrow. For the last practices before the football gets real at training camp, here are some of the competitions and players that I’m most excited to see.

1. The Quarterbacks

It always starts with the quarterbacks. I wish the focus of the J.J. McCarthy-Kyler Murray competition was only on their respective play on the field. Instead of the football, the media is more focused on grade school gossip. Whether the two quarterbacks stretch together is apparently more important than their comfort in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. It’s pathetic. Football competition is fun. Whether the two quarterbacks share a table for lunch isn’t. This could be one of the most fun and intriguing position competitions in recent Vikings history and the members of the media are pushing for a soap opera. 

J.J. McCarthy vs Kyler Murray. I believe that either quarterback could lead the Vikings to the playoffs. I also believe that either could lead the Vikings to the long-sought playoff win, maybe a few playoff wins. Whoever wins the job will be surrounded by a load of playmaking talent. As much as I like McCarthy, I believe that Murray’s experience will be the difference in the competition. Even if McCarthy is the backup, he better keep ready. Murray has only played every game in two of his seven seasons in the league. 

2. Dillon Bell

The Vikings have often found production recently from undrafted players. They’ve had to as there hasn’t been near enough production from the drafted players. Hopefully, that’s a thing of the past. Dillon Bell is the undrafted player this year that intrigues me the most. He didn’t produce at Georgia to the level that his natural talent would suggest. Still, everything about him intrigues. He’s flashed so far this spring. He must build on that in this minicamp and through training camp. In Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the Vikings have the best receiver duo in the league. When Jauan Jennings was signed after the draft, it turned the top duo in the league into the top trio. 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton would seem to have an edge for #4. Myles Price emerged as an effective returner as a rookie last season. His return ability boosts his roster chances. While Felton and Price are probably the leaders for the remaining receiver roster spots, neither has an unquestioned hold on those spots. Bell has a shot. 

3. Demond Claiborne

Among the Vikings nine drafted rookies, Demond Claiborne might be the one I’m most excited to see. If not for a shaky final season at Wake Forest, he might’ve been a Day 2 pick rather than a sixth-round pick. My excitement for Claiborne is a combination of his electric speed and the expected run schemes introduced by new assistant head coach Frank Smith. Those schemes helped De’Von Achane develop into one of the most exciting backs in the league. In size and speed, Claiborne is quite similar to Achane. Without contact, it’s tough to accurately judge the practice play of running backs. So, I’ll have to contain my excitement until training camp and the preseason games. 

4. Offensive Line

Just stay healthy. Please.

5. Defensive Line

The intrigue surrounding the defensive line in minicamp is more about the combinations of players than anything else. Those combinations unfortunately won’t include first-round pick Caleb Banks as he continues to rehab his broken foot. The Vikings defensive line is going to be a revelation this season.

6. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft as an interior defensive lineman. After a promising rookie season, he became a player to watch on a young defensive line. After the Vikings traded edge Jonathan Greenard during the 2026 NFL Draft, Ingram-Dawkins was suddenly a player to watch on the edge. He’s been practicing there this spring. Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner are the starters. Depth is a question and Ingram-Dawkins might be the answer. 

7. Charles Demmings

Charles Demmings is chasing Demond Claiborne as the Vikings drafted player I’m most excited to see. At corner, Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers are the established starters. James Pierre was signed this offseason to form a solid top three. I believe that Demmings is the Vikings future at corner. I wouldn’t be surprised if he forced his way into some sort of playing rotation as a rookie. 

8. Will Reichard

I had to include the best kicker in the game.