Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Duke Shelley (29) after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings take on the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, hoping to fire up back-to-back preseason wins for the first time in ages.
The two clubs held joint practices this week, so most starters are expected to rest, at least on the Vikings’ end of the operation.
And with Preseason Game No. 2 mere hours away, these are the four main storylines to monitor.
These cornerbacks are likely to make Minnesota’s September roster:
And then NaJee Thompson’s injury status is up in the air. That means the Vikings probably need one more cornerback to stand off the page, someone from this list:
So watch to determine which man (or men) of the six performs well in the Vikings-Browns preseason tryst.
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor seem to have the first three WR spots all wrapped up, but after those combatants, the mystery ensues. It’s an eight-horse race for two or three roster spots (probably two).
Trishton Jackson and Trent Sherfield shined last weekend; let’s see if they maintain consistency with Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall flinging the rock.
Speaking of Mullens …
Mullens had a knack — a fantastic one, in fact — for driving the ball downfield within Kevin O’Connell’s offense. But he sullied his otherwise proud reputation with wild interceptions and fumbles. Now, with his insertion into the starting lineup just one injury away, folks want to learn if he’s tamed his reckless ways.
Onlookers will get a front-row seat on Saturday, as Mullens should play about half the game. Can he protect the ball while still moving the sticks?
One Vikings football hack under O’Connell is monitoring players who don’t see the field during the preseason. It’s generally a safe indicator that they’ve wrapped up a 53-man roster spot.
Players in the lineup deep into the game will likely be cut or hit the practice squad. So watch who doesn’t start or see much playing time on the whole.
Minnesota is expected to rest most of its starting lineup because joint practices this week served as a de facto preseason game.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.