The 5 Most Fascinating Players at Vikings Training Camp | 2024
The Minnesota Vikings’ current roster has 91 players, but that number will dwindle to 53 at the end of August.
The 5 Most Fascinating Players at Vikings Training Camp | 2024
The team kicks off training camp this weekend, as rookies report to Eagan on Sunday and veterans arrive two days later.
And among those 91 players, these are the five most fascinating, with training camp mere days away, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most fascinating).
5. Levi Drake Rodriguez (DT)
Why He’s Fascinating, in a Nutshell:
He has the potential to become an undrafted gem.
Minnesota is desperate for a defensive tackle to step up, and some believe this late-round, small-school prospect could conduct a sweet summer and see regular season action. The Athletic called Drake Rodriguez “the most overlooked player in the draft.” Are they right?
4. Jalen Nailor (WR)
Why He’s Fascinating, in a Nutshell:
Minnesota has a WR3 opening, and fans would be delighted if Nailor stayed healthy enough to earn the job.
Nailor had a totally glowing opportunity in 2023 to make a name for himself during Justin Jefferson’s absence. But he was often injured and ended up with just three receptions.
He now enters a pivotal Year No. 3 and has another glowingly golden opportunity at training camp to grab the WR3 job by the throat and make it his own. His competition is not stiff, and he only needs to box out Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield.
Conversely, if Nailor produces another quiet season, he likely won’t last in the NFL much longer.
3. Blake Brandel (OG)
Why He’s Fascinating, in a Nutshell:
He re-signed this offseason for starter’s money — but then the Vikings brought back Dalton Risner, too.
The Vikings re-upped with Brandel four months ago for three years and $9.5 million. The deal’s parameters suggested Brandel could start, especially when Dalton Risner hadn’t rejoined the club. But in May, Minnesota re-signed Risner, and Minnesota has a three-way guard battle afoot between Brandel, Risner, and Ed Ingram.
All offseason, Minnesota’s coaching staff has praised Brandel. “I’m really excited about Blake. I feel like he gets bigger every time I see him. He’s just a massive man on the inside. But he’s in great shape, he’s always been very coachable,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillps told reporters at May’s organized team activities (OTAs) about Brandel. “You talk about technique, fundamentals, footwork, hand placement, all the things that are critical for the O-line — one false step for an O-lineman could be a catastrophe — it’s been very encouraging so far with him stepping into that starting spot on the left.”
Fans love Dalton Risner, but Brandel might be “the guy” at left guard.
2. Andrew Booth (CB)
Why He’s Fascinating, in a Nutshell:
Like Jalen Nailor, his stakes at training camp range from possible starter to roster cut candidate.
Booth was accountable for a respectable 68.6 Pro Football Focus grade in 2023, playing about 100 coverage snaps. The man actually looked good when on the field; he just didn’t see the field consistently as a starter. He has youth on his side, and this summer + fall will determine if Booth has staying power in Minnesota. It’s a coinflip.
1. J.J. McCarthy (QB)
Why He’s Fascinating, in a Nutshell:
He’s the future.
McCarthy finally signed his rookie contract on Friday, all ready for the bright lights (sun?) of training camp. Before too long, he’ll take over the Vikings QB1 job and receive a prolonged audition at the big job.
While he may not start right away in 2024, fans will watch his every pass, hellbent on learning if Minnesota’s front office nailed this draft pick.
In every way, shape, and form, McCarthy is the Vikings’ singular hope for the future.
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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