These 18 Veterans Reported Early for Vikings Traning Camp
The dry portion of the NFL calendar and the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason is over.
These 18 Veterans Reported Early for Vikings Traning Camp
Rookies reported to training camp in Eagan on Sunday, while 18 veterans followed suit — a who’s who of early arrivals.
Among all rookies, drafted and undrafted, these veterans took the plunge, showing up before Tuesday’s mandated date:
- Brian Asamoah II (LB)
- Mekhi Blackmon (CB)
- Camryn Bynum (S)
- Henry Byrd (OL)
- Sam Darnold (QB)
- Jaren Hall (QB)
- T.J. Hockenson (TE)
- Trishton Jackson (WR)
- Malik Knowles (WR)
- DeWayne McBride (RB)
- Nick Mullens (QB)
- Nick Muse (TE)
- Tyrese Robinson (OL)
- John Parker Romo (K)
- Thayer Thomas (WR)
- NaJee Thompson (S)
- Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
- Seth Vernon (P)
And for context, these rookies arrived, including both 1st-Rounders J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, who didn’t sign their contracts until the last couple of days:
- K.J. Cloyd (LB)
- Jeremy Flax (OL)
- Dallas Gant (LB)
- Ty James (WR)
- Jeshaun Jones (WR)
- Michael Jurgens (OL)
- Trey Knox (TE)
- Tyler Manoa (DT)
- J.J. McCarthy (QB)
- Dwight McGlothern (CB)
- Gabriel Murphy (OLB)
- Doug Nester (OT)
- Owen Porter (OLB)
- Will Reichard (K)
- Bo Richter (OLB)
- Levi Drake Rodriguez (DT)
- Spencer Rolland (OL)
- Walter Rouse (OT)
- Taki Taimani (DT)
- Dallas Turner (OLB)
Notably, all of the Vikings quarterbacks — from head to toe — waltzed into training camp early or on time, music to fans’ ears.
Meanwhile, the purple team’s training camp is a brand new animal this year. Departed are quarterback Kirk Cousins and outside linebacker Danielle Hunter, among roughly 20 others. Minnesota added over 40 new players from free agency, the draft, and undrafted free agency. And the franchise has full coaching continuity — head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator — for the first time since 2015-2016.
Some top storylines include the QB1 battle — whether Sam Darnold, who reported early, can keep McCarthy at bay. Minnesota also has no clear-cut WR3, though Brandon Powell is the frontrunner to win the assignment. An offensive guard battle is on the way, as well. Dalton Risner, Blake Brandel, and Ed Ingram will compete for two starters’ jobs. T.J. Hockenson was injured last December, and onlookers will monitor his recovery status. The team might need an RB3 after Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler if second-year runner DeWayne McBride doesn’t move the needle.
Plus, the Vikings have two special teams jobs up for grabs — kicker and punter.
All of those storylines will play out in the next several weeks, and 38 players have arrived in Eagan early to start sorting them out.
Texans Sign 6th Former Vikings Player
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.