Vikings Snap Counts for Preseason Week 1 vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Josh Frey   |  

Aug 12, 2024

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Reddit
• Share on WhatsApp
• Copy Link

  Link Copied

The Minnesota Vikings took on the Las Vegas Raiders in their 2024 preseason opener on Saturday afternoon.

The Vikings finally got off the preseason schnide as well. After losing 10 consecutive preseason games going into Saturday, Minnesota earned a 24-23 victory over Las Vegas behind a game-winning field goal from rookie kicker Will Reichard.

With the game now in the rearview, here is a look at the Vikings snap counts from the preseason opener, per Pro Football Focus.

Offense

1. LT Walter Rouse (52)
2. LG Michael Jurgens (52)
3. RG Tyrese Robinson (45)
4. WR Lucky Jackson (31)
5. QB J.J. McCarthy (30)
6. WR Trishton Jackson (30)
7. C Dan Feeney (30)
8. LG Henry Byrd (28)
9. RT David Quessenberry (24)
10. WR Trent Sherfiend (23)
11. RT Spencer Rolland (22)
12. QB Jaren Hall (22)
13. WR Jeshaun Jones (21)
14. TE Nick Muse (20)
15. TE N’Keal Harry (20)
16. RB DeWayne McBride (19)
17. WR Jalen Nailor (19)
18. RG Ed Ingram (19)
19. WR Thayer Thomas (18)
20. RB Kene Nwangwu (17)
21. TE Trey Knox (15)
22. RB Ty Chandler (15)
23. RB Myles Gaskin (13)
24. WR Jordan Addison (12)
25. LT Christian Darrisaw (12)
26. TE Josh Oliver (12)
27. RT Brian O’Neill (12)
28. LG Blake Brandel (12)
29. C Garrett Bradbury (12)
30. QB Sam Darnold (12)
31. TE Johnny Mundt (12)
32. WR Brandon Powell (8)
33. FB C.J. Ham (6)

One thing folks will notice immediately is that Kevin O’Connell played his starters far more regularly in this first preseason game than he had in years past. The Vikings essentially put out their entire starting offensive unit other than Justin Jefferson and injured T.J. Hockenson throughout their first series of the game.

Of course, a notable absence in this game was offensive lineman Dalton Risner who started 11 games for the Vikings last season. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis tweeted after the game that Risner had been missing practice due to a back injury, which likely played a role in him missing the game.

Meanwhile, plenty of rookies saw notable snap totals throughout the game, including draft picks Walter Rouse and Michael Jurgens who led the offense in snaps this weekend.

Defense

1. S Theo Jackson (49)
2. S Bobby McCain (43)
3. LB Brian Asamoah (39)
4. S Jay Ward (37)
5. OLB Andre Carter (33)
6. CB Dwight McGlothern (28)
7. OLB Owen Porter (28)
8. S Lewis Cine (27)
9. MLB Dallas Gant (27)
10. DT Levi Drake Rodriguez (25)
11. DT Jalen Redmond (25)
12. OLB Jihad Ward (23)
13. OLB Dallas Turner (22)
14. OLB Bo Richter (20)
15. DT Jaquelin Roy (20)
16. CB Akayleb Evans (20)
17. MLB Kamu Grugier-Hill (20)
18. DT Taki Taimani (19)
19. MLB Ivan Pace (19)
20. CB Duke Shelley (19)
21. DT James Lynch (18)
22. DT Tyler Manoa (17)
23. CB Fabian Moreau (16)
24. CB Jaylin Williams (15)
25. CB Byron Murphy (14)
26. S Josh Metellus (14)
27. S Camryn Bynum (14)
28. LB Blake Cashman (14)
29. OLB Pat Jones (12)
30. DT Harrison Phillips (11)
31. DT Jonathan Bullard (11)
32. CB A.J. Green (9)
33. DT Jonah Williams (9)
34. CB Jacobi Francis (9)

Defensive personnel may have changed over the past few months, but Brian Flores’ philosophy for the Vikings sure has not. Once again, safeties dominated the defensive snaps with four players at the position landing in the top 10 for Minnesota’s defensive snap totals.

In addition, undrafted free agents were a top storyline for this opening preseason game. OLB Gabriel Murphy did not play due to injury, but that allowed Bo Richter to step into the limelight, recording six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack over the course of the game. His PFF grade of 79.7 was second on Minnesota’s defense behind only MLB Dallas Gant, another UDFA, who proved plenty competent in run defense against the Raiders.

Meanwhile, Levi Drake Rodriguez continues to make a name for himself at the defensive tackle spot, recording a sack and batting down a pass in coverage. The seventh-round pick is continuing to make a case for himself to make the final roster.

Special Teams

1. OLB Bo Richter (20)
2. MLB Jabril Cox (20)
3. MLB Dallas Gant (18)
4. TE Trey Knox (16)
5. WR Thayer Thomas (15)
6. RB Myles Gaskin (13)
7. WR Lucky Jackson (13)
8. TE Sammis Reyes (12)
9. RB DeWayne McBride (11)
10. OLB Andre Carter (11)
11. WR Trishton Jackson (11)
12. S Bobby McCain (11)
13. CB Dwight McGlothern (10)
14. CB Jaylin Williams (10)
15. OLB Owen Porter (10)
16. LS Andrew DePaola (10)
17. K Will Reichard (9)
18. S Lewis Cine (9)
19. CB Jacobi Francis (9)
20. CB Duke Shelley (8)
21. WR Jeshaun Jones (7)
22. TE N’Keal Harry (7)
23. P Ryan Wright (6)
24. TE Nick Muse (6)
25. OL Henry Byrd (5)
26. OL Spencer Rolland (5)
27. OL Walter Rouse (5)
28. S Jay Ward (5)
29. OL Doug Nester (5)
30. DT Taki Taimani (5)
31. DT Jalen Redmond (5)
32. OL Tyrese Robinson (5)
33. DT James Lynch (5)
34. P Seth Vernon (4)
35. LB Brian Asamoah (4)
36. CB A.J. Green (4)
37. OL Jeremy Flax (3)
38. WR Ty James (2)
39. OL Michael Jurgens (2)
40. S Theo Jackson (1)
41. WR Trent Sherfield (1)
42. FB C.J. Ham (1)
43. LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (1)

For young players fighting their way onto the final roster, special teams contributions are a great way to ensure that happens (i.e. NaJee Thompson in 2023). On top of Richter’s contributions to the defense, he also led the way in special teams snaps for the Vikings this past weekend.

The punter battle likely is just about wrapped up after Saturday as well. Wright booted three punts this weekend, including one inside the 20-yard line, while averaging 57 yards per punt. Meanwhile, his competitor Seth Vernon did not have as strong a day with two punts, one of which traveled just 35 yards. With Wright being a much more trusted holder for kicking duties as well, the writing may be on the wall at this point.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus.

Also Read on Vikings Territory:
A Vikings Position Battle Might Be Even More Unclear after First Preseason Game