Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell (left) and wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) before an NFL International Series game against the New Orleans Saints at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
In six days, the Minnesota Vikings will host the Las Vegas Raiders for a preseason game, and 2024 festivities will be off to the races.
All eyes will be on the quarterback battle between Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy, so we asked our writers to skip that storyline. It’s just so obvious.
So, aside from the quarterback battle, VikingsTerritory writers are watching these items the most closely during Preseason Game No. 1.
From: Kyle Joudry
I’m a defensive guy, so I want to see how the defensive line performs. Does Jaquelin Roy look disruptive? Jerry Tillery? What about Levi Drake Rodriguez? I want to see something from the line other than Harrison Phillips, who likely won’t play.
From: Dustin Baker
Kevin O’Connell famously doesn’t play bonafide starters in preseason games, so whoever is not on the field in the 1st Quarter is always telling. One can typically deduce the early semblance of O’Connell’s 2024 plan by studying who sat during preseason games. It’s kind of a hack.
By a rudimentary count, Minnesota has about 35 players who are locks to make the 53-man roster. The rest are bubble players and men vying for the practice squad.
From: Wes Johnson
The Vikings were dealt tragic and unfortunate news concerning members of their DB room within about a week of each other. The tragic loss of rookie Khyree Jackson’s life and following that with second-year riser Mekhi Blackmon going down with a knee injury was terrible for the Vikings from a personal and personnel standpoint.
Loss of life will forever be tragic, but sports and extracurriculars are a far second to whatever the families involved are going through. In the aftermath of this thought, the Vikings have games to play. Subtracting two players who were poised to play vital roles this season is not ideal. Finding out who will step up is the premier question this preseason. Do we have those answers in camp, or is a trade or free-agent signing needed?
From: Adam New
I had high hopes for Jalen Nailor last season, but it proved to be an injury-ravaged season. With the WR3 role up for grabs, it’s a big preseason for the WR nicknamed “speedy,” who has been turning heads in training camp. Now, we need to see it in a game situation.
From: Ted Schwerzler
It has to be the wideouts. Brandon Powell and Jalen Nailor should get plenty of run. Do either of them look like a legitimate starting option? Can they elevate if the group, as is, is really it?
From: Ali Siddiqui
The Vikings’ other first-round pick has a chance to be a very good pass rusher in this league. Fans will be watching him very closely. Besides being a first-round pick, he’ll be counted on to try to make up for the loss of Danielle Hunter.
From: Cole Smith
The Vikings cut Reichard’s only competition, John Parker Romo, last week. We know that Kevin O’Connell doesn’t care about winning preseason games, so with no starters playing, my eyes will go towards a player who will contribute week in and week out this year.
From: Josh Frey
The Vikings have already parted ways with John Parker Romo, meaning their rookie sixth-round pick is set to take on all the kicking roles this season. Next Saturday is the first chance to see exactly what he is capable of as Minnesota’s kicker
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.
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