13 Bold Predictions for Vikings 2023 Training Camp
Rookies report to Eagan, Minnesota, for 2023 Minnesota Vikings training camp on Sunday. Veterans arrived two days later, on July 25th.
The Vikings will attempt to prohibit any major regression in 2023 after head coach Kevin O’Connell finished 13-4 in his first season and won a 2022 NFC North chip.
13 Bold Predictions for Vikings 2023 Training Camp
Here are the VikingsTerritory writers’ bold predictions regarding 2023 training camp listed alphabetically by writer’s last name.
1. Ivan Pace Jr. Is the Real Deal
Prediction Maker: Dustin Baker
All this undrafted free agent must do to sniff regular season playing time is play as well as Troy Reeder and Troy Dye. Those two are on tap to support starting linebackers Jordan Hicks and Brian Asamoah.
Pace Jr. was a machine in college and has the swagger to win a roster spot on the 2023 Vikings. He’ll begin that quest at camp, and you’ll hear all about it.
2. Andrew Booth Brings the Heat
Prediction Maker: Sean Borman
Andrew Booth Jr. will shine. He’ll be a standout throughout camp and push to be a starter Week 1. At the very least, he’ll earn outside corner snaps if/when Byron Murphy plays in the slot.
3. Jaquelin Roy Shines
Prediction Maker: Janik Eckardt
Jaquelin Roy will be a stud and reaffirm his unforeseen status from minicamp. The LSU alumnus continues the long line of LSU profitability in purple.
4. William Kwenkeu Makes the 53-Man Roster
Prediction Maker: Josh Frey
Kwenkeu could be another strong fit in a Brian Flores defense with his combination of size and athleticism. He can be a great blitzer, specifically in pass-rushing situations.
5. Nick Mullens Out; Jaren Hall In
Prediction Maker: Will Goodwin
With today’s trend of holding only two QBs on the active roster, Minnesota will cut Nick Mullens in favor of 25-year-old rookie Jaren Hall.
Although Hall is a longshot to be a franchise QB, he was drafted with the future in mind, and Minnesota won’t want to risk losing him to another team if they designate him to the practice squad. Cousins and Hall in — Mullens out.
6. Lewis Cine Makes His Mark
Prediction Maker: Wes Johnson
Brian Flores and his defense make a name for themselves early on as a unit coming to play. In particular, second-year safety Lewis Cine makes an impression by showing the versatility to play strong or free safety. Cine flies around to the football, a general menace to the offense.
7. Malik Knowles Earns WR5 Consideration
Prediction Maker: Kyle Joudry
We see one of the relatively unknown depth receivers — I’ve got my eye on Malik Knowles — catapult himself into the conversation for WR5 responsibilities. Impressing a pair of coordinators (Sp/T & O) will be the key, so Knowles is certainly someone to monitor.
8. Jalen Nailor Makes the Case for Serious Attention
Prediction Maker: Adam New
Jalen Nailor impresses enough to make a case for serious involvement in the Vikings passing game this season as WR4. Using his speed as a deep ball option would make the most sense.
9. An Immediate RB Carousel
Prediction Maker: Nathan Porter
Expect a running back carousel to be implemented immediately, keeping the backfield constantly fresh. Cook will be missed, but not for long. Minnesota’s backfield, although cheap, will have a positive impact due to its young and ambitious depth.
DeWayne McBride will easily make the 53-man roster, and the running back carousel of Mattison, Chandler, Nwangwu, and McBride will surprise the league — adding a new dimension to this already impressive offense.
10. Jalen Reagor Emerges as Slot Threat
Prediction Maker: Nate Powalie
Jalen Reagor will emerge as the big slot threat. Teams need speed and explosive play ability from their slot wideouts. And Reagor fits that mold perfectly.
11. Ty Chandler Stands Out as Legit RB
Prediction Maker: Ted Schwerzler
Ty Chandler emerges as a legit running back, and Alexander Mattison settles in fine.
12. Vikings Sign CB Marcus Peters
Prediction Maker: Ali Siddiqui
Marcus Peters will be signed by the Vikings. He’s still available, and they need corners. Yes, they signed Byron Murphy Jr, but we don’t know if Evans, Booth, and Blackmon will pan out. You can never have too many cornerbacks.
13. Danielle Hunter Never Sets Foot on Training Camp Field
Prediction Maker: Cole Smith
We won’t see Danielle Hunter step foot on the practice field at TCO Performance Center. The team and Hunter are at a stand-still, and the Vikings may not bend over backward for a guy who will be 29 in October after ushering out other older players this offseason.
Meanwhile, Hunter believes he should be paid more than the $5 million he is owed for 2023, so he may not cave, either.
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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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