3 Vikings Who Need a Big 2nd Week at Training Camp
Dustin Baker
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The usual theatrics were on display at Minnesota Vikings training camp this week — the player optimism, cupcake highlights, and back-to-basics aura were prevalent.
3 Vikings Who Need a Big 2nd Week at Training Camp
A handful of players can be classified as early risers at camp; you can read about those men here.
Additionally, these three players need a big second week — and beyond — to secure starters’ jobs or meaningful playing time in 2023. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Andrew Booth (CB)
Booth and the following two players haven’t done anything wrong during Week 1 of training camp — they just haven’t stood out like others or pushed the envelope as they probably should.
Veteran corner Joejuan Williams has taken the early reins of CB2, a job Booth should eventually win because of his draft placement in April 2022. Booth was a 2nd-Rounder drafted by this Vikings leadership regime.
The summer is still young, and Booth can win the CB2 job. For now, though, he must surpass the aforementioned Williams.
2. Lewis Cine (S)
Cine ripped an interception out of the sky on Saturday, a positive development, to be sure.
But Cine is a 1st-Rounder draft pick, and in fact, is Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first draft pick ever. While it’s neat that Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus have the apparent oomph to garner regular season defensive snaps, Cine must eventually flex and take over the free safety position next to Harrison Smith. That’s what 1st-Rounders do.
The defender is recovering from a broken leg and hence requires a grace period to get back in the swing of gridiron life. Yet, before too long, he must emerge as 1st-Rounders do. Next week would be a good time for it.
3. DeWayne McBride (RB)
Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler have made early headlines at Vikings training camp, a to-be-expected outcome because Mattison is the unabashed RB1, and Chandler enters Year Two as a pro.
But many draft pundits and Vikings fans were high on McBride all offseason, and at some point, he’ll have to spring up and pass Chandler on the depth chart if he wants touches as a rookie. Minnesota employs four tailbacks in Mattison, Chandler, McBride, and kick returner Kene Nwangwu, so attention in the 2023 offense may be difficult to obtain without a noteworthy camp and preseason performance from McBride.
Thankfully, McBride is 22 years old and has plenty of time to develop.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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