The Top 8 Vikings Storylines Heading into Training Camp
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up minicamp in June and have seven days until the start of training camp.
Minicamp was about Sam Darnold’s solidification of QB1, Dalton Risner’s return, and an upcoming battle at offensive guard between three men.
The Top 8 Vikings Storylines Heading into Training Camp
But these are the storylines to consider for the Vikings’ 2024 training camp, ranked in ascending order of importance (No. 1 = most important).
8. The Punter Battle
Minnesota signed veteran punter Seth Vernon right after the 2024 NFL Draft, challenging incumbent specialist Ryan Wright. According to dribblings from June’s minicamp, Vernon may actually push Wright to the limit or steal his job.
Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer said last month on Access Vikings, “Matt Daniels is talking about how there was a big sophomore slump for Ryan Wright. That’s why they bring in this new punter. And that new punter, he’s got a boot.”
The Vikings found Wright via undrafted free agency in 2022, and he’s served as the punter ever since. During his first season, Wright mesmerized fans with his thunderous leg and seemed on track to hold down punting duties in Minnesota indefinitely. However, he regressed in 2024.
Krammer added about Vernon, “He has been nailing it. And Ryan Wright hasn’t looked good in some of the open practices. So punter news.”
So, this is a punter battle with no clear frontrunner.
7. Who’s the RB3?
At the top of the ticket, Minnesota employs Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler at running back. Those two should receive most hand-offs in 2024. However, RBs get hurt frequently, and after Jones + Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, DeWayne McBride, and Myles Gaskin live on the depth chart.
Minnesota must nominate an RB3 for 2024 because he’ll likely see playing time — or sign a free agent like Cam Akers or Kareem Hunt. For now, few are talking about RB3.
And if ESPN is correct, Akers might already be back on the Vikings’ roster.
6. Which EDGE Rusher Is the Odd Man Out?
Minnesota added these new outside linebackers this offseason:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Dallas Turner
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Gabriel Murphy
- Jihad Ward
- Bo Richter
- Owen Porter
Someone like Patrick Jones or Andre Carter II will not make the 53-man roster. Either that — or Ward or Murphy will miss out.
The Vikings went from EDGE uncertainty when Danielle Hunter left for the Houston Texans to too much of a good thing. The outside linebacker spot is suddenly deep.
5. Who’s the Other Starting DT?
These are the Vikings’ defensive tackles at the moment:
- Harrison Phillips
- Jerry Tillery
- Jonathan Bullard
- James Lynch
- Jonah Williams
- Jaquelin Roy
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Tyler Manoa
- Taki Taimani
- Jalen Redmond
After Phillips, the only obvious starter, the pecking order is up in the air, with Tillery perhaps holding a slight advantage to start. However, this battle is anybody’s ballgame. Minnesota did not sign a premiere DT, though about eight were available in free agency. Then, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t draft one until late (Levi Drake Rodriguez).
Vikings fans have craved a keynote DT next to the nose tackle for years, so they’ll watch this camp battle intently.
4. Which Offensive Guard Is the Odd Man Out?
Minnesota re-signed Dalton Risner several weeks ago after months of claiming Blake Brandel was on tap to start. And in June, following the Risner acquisition, head coach Kevin O’Connell hinted a threeway OG battle might be on the way.
O’Connell said on the Rich Eisen Show, “We bring back Dalton Risner, who’s gonna compete like crazy at the guard spot with both Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel.”
Most didn’t know Ingram would be involved in the competition, but alas, his name popped up. One man — Ingram, Risner, or Brandel — will not start on the 2024 offensive line. Who will it be?
3. T.J. Hockenson + Andrew Van Ginkel Injury Recoveries
Most fans concede that T.J. Hockenson will miss the start of the 2024 season, but the question becomes — when does he actually return? Folks will monitor his status for the rest of the month and in August.
Then, newcomer EDGE defender Andrew Van Ginkel is recovering from a Lisfranc injury. He should be good to go before too long. Yet, because Marcus Davenport’s lousy 2024 campaign is at the forefront of folks’ memories, fans want to make sure Van Ginkel isn’t “the next Davenport.”
2. Who’s the WR3?
The current batch of purple WRs:
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- Brandon Powell
- Trent Sherfield
- Jalen Nailor
- Trishton Jackson
- Lucky Jackson
- Thayer Thomas
- Malik Knowles
- Ty James
- Jeshaun Jones
Jefferson and Addison are more than solidified at the top, but after those playmakers, mystery ensues. The aforementioned Hockenson will probably miss the start of the season, a man who usually grabs the target load of a WR3, if not WR2.
Therefore, with no Hockenson and K.J. Osborn playing for the New England Patriots, Minnesota needs a WR3 to emerge from the Powell spot on the list all the way down to Jones. Like defensive tackle, which combatant stands out at WR3? Or will the Vikings make WR3 by committee?
1. The Quarterbacks … Including Nick Mullens
O’Connell has stated that, although Minnesota doesn’t have a formal depth chart yet, Darnold is the QB1. That checks out as McCarthy is still just 21 years old, and the Vikings don’t need him to bloom immediately.
Yet, because McCarthy is the quarterback of the future, onlookers want to see if he’ll at least make it a challenge for Darnold at training camp and in the preseason. As a 1st-Rounder, the young Wolverine should at least make the competition interesting.
Overall, folks will watch McCarthy with the most interest this summer — and for the next few years. He’s the one big hope to improve after the Kirk Cousins era.
And if Darnold as the QB1 becomes a no-brainer, well, McCarthy may vie for the QB2 job, a gig that won’t be handed over without a fight from Nick Mullens, who held the title last year.
Vikings Have a “Distressed Asset”
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 MIN 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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