Updated: Top 5 Position Battles for Vikings
In early July, VikingsTerritory chronicled the Top 5 Minnesota Vikings roster battles with training camp around the bend.
Updated: Top 5 Position Battles for Vikings
Consider this an overall update to that article with the 53-man depth chart release six days away.
Honorable Mention: Robert Tonyan v. Josh Oliver v. Johnny Mundt
Position: TE1
(if T.J. Hockenson misses the start of the season)
What We Wrote on July 3rd:
Tonyan entered the mix last month — and has dazzled since. Most believe Hockenson will miss the first handful of games in 2024, and with a new quarterback under center, that man will want a reliable TE target in the middle of the field.
Heading into training camp, Tonyan, Oliver, and Mundt have a reasonable case for the assignment. But Tonyan’s minicamp might’ve been too strong to topple.
Predicted Battle Winner: Robert Tonyan
August 21st Update:
Hockenson is still on track to miss the start of the season, but the sizzle around Tonyan has severely diminished. He was injured with back spasms and no longer feels like a shoo-in to make the team. Tonyan may be released on August 27th.
New Projected TE1 Winner:
Josh Oliver
(with a Mundt + Muse side dish)
5. Jerry Tillery v. Jonathan Bullard v. Jonah Williams v. James Lynch v. Jaquelin Roy
Position: Defensive Tackle next to Harrison Phillips
What We Wrote on July 3rd: A scenario all too familiar to the last 10 Vikings defenses, Minnesota is comfortable to embark on a season with a mid-tier three-technique defensive tackle. The franchise reportedly made a play for Christian Wilkins during free agency, but he was too spendy, ending up in Las Vegas on a deal worth $110 million over four years.
So, Minnesota gets Tillery, Bullard, Williams, Lynch, and Roy. Somewhat quietly, Tillery delivered a decent season in 2023, notching a commendable 67.7 Pro Football Focus grade. Perhaps his former 1st-Round potential can be uplifted by Brian Flores.
Rookie Levi Drake Rodriquez could be a wildcard at this spot.
Predicted Battle Winner: Jerry Tillery
August 21st Update:
Tillery has blossomed as a for-sure starter, with the rest of the position still a bit of a mystery. After a couple of sweet preseason games, however, it seems unlikely that 7th-Round selection Levi Drake Rodriguez would miss the final cut. Bullard, too, is on track to make the September roster. Williams, Roy, and Lynch remain up in the air.
New Projected DT Winner: Jerry Tillery
4. Dalton Risner v. Blake Brandel v. Ed Ingram
Position: Offensive Guard
What We Wrote on July 3rd: Risner returned to the Vikings in May, a move universally embraced by the team’s fans. He conducted a wonderful first act in Minneapolis last year, and after about four months of the masses wondering, “Will they re-sign Risner?” he’s back for a sequel.
However, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips recently spoke highly of Blake Brandel, who was theorized as Risner’s replacement as of late. “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,” Phillips told reporters last week at organized team activities (OTAs).
“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.”
Phillips continued, “I think it’ll only grow, the more experience, the more reps he gets. He’s been a guy that, any time he’s been put in a game at several positions, has come through for us. We haven’t forgotten that. I think he’s earned this opportunity.”
Then, head coach Kevin O’Connell said on the Rich Eisen Show in June, “We bring back Dalton Risner, who’s gonna compete like crazy at the guard spot with both Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel.”
It’s suddenly a threeway battle for two roster spots.
Predicted Battle OG Winners: Blake Brandel (LG) | Ed Ingram (RG)
August 21st Update:
Unless something changes markedly in the coming days and weeks, Brandel will start at left guard and Ingram at right. The rumor mill has recently whispered that Risner could be cut, as injuries have plagued his summer.
New Projected Winner: Blake Brandel (LG) | Ed Ingram (RG)
3. Brandon Powell v. Jalen Nailor
Position: WR3
What We Wrote on July 3rd:
Unless general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has grand plans of signing Michael Thomas or Hunter Renfrow, the WR3 market has all but dissipated — meaning Powell, Nailor, or possibly Sherfield will earn WR3 duties for 2024.
None of the three has ever created a marvelous standalone season, so Vikings fans will hope for the best and that competition will generate the most qualified WR3.
Minnesota also employs eight more receivers after Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Powell, Nailor, and Sherfield. Perhaps one unsung, undrafted candidate could emerge.
Predicted Battle Winner: Brandon Powell — but with WR3 conducted by committee in the regular season.
August 21st Update:
Nailor seized training camp and preseason by the throat, making a case for unabashed WR3. His pal Trishton Jackson has stood off the page, too. Minnesota may keep six wide receivers on the active roster.
New Projected WR3 Winner: Jalen Nailor
2. The “Other” Starting CB
Position: Cornerback
What We Wrote on July 3rd:
Nobody at all knows for sure which man will win the “other” cornerback job next to Byron Murphy. The list is enormous:
CB1: Byron Murphy
CB2: Akayleb Evans
CB3: Mekhi Blackmon
CB4: Shaquill Griffin
CB5: Andrew Booth
CB6: Khyree Jackson
CB7: NaJee Thompson
CB8: Jaylin Williams
CB9: A.J. Green III
CB10: Dwight McGlothern
This is a good problem. Minnesota employs about 5-6 corners who could play in the regular season.
Predicted Battle Winner: Byron Murphy, Shaquill Griffin, and Mekhi Blackmon
August 21st Update:
The Vikings’ cornerback room was flipped on its cranium with Khyree Jackson’s tragic passing, Mekhi Blackmon’s ACL tear, and Andrew Booth’s trade adventure to Dallas. Minnesota also signed Stephon Gilmore and Fabian Moreau.
New Projected Starting CB Winners:
Stephon Gilmore
Byron Murphy
Shaquill Griffin
1. Sam Darnold v. J.J. McCarthy
Position: Quarterback
What We Wrote on July 3rd:
This one was included out of necessity. All signs point to Darnold starting against the New York Giants in Week 1, but if McCarthy clears the coaching staff’s “benchmarks,” he could score the upset.
Fans should consider Darnold the QB1. Yet, because the position is so high-profile and McCarthy was selected as the highest-drafted quarterback in Vikings’ history, the QB battle will be all-consuming, at least in terms of interest.
Predicted Battle Winner: Sam Darnold
August 21st Update:
A horrible turn of events, this battle ended after the first preseason game. J.J. McCarthy tore his meniscus, and the Vikings put him on ice for all of 2024. It’s The Sam Darnold Show henceforth.
New Projected Winner: Sam Darnold
Vikings Waive 2 Players
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 Vikings 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.
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