Mr. Mankato Is a 2-Man Race for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings no longer hold training camp in Mankato, Minnesota. Those were simpler times when players bunked in Minnesota State Mankato University dorms and rode bicycles to practice. Now that the TCO Performance Center exists, all the lavish luxury that comes with it is present.
The Minnesota Vikings’ Mr. Mankato award could be a two-man race between Tai Felton and Max Brosmer during the preseason.
Still, when thinking about training camp, there’s no greater tradition than dubbing top performers as Mr. Mankato. There’s nothing about Mr. TCO that rolls off the tongue, so the moniker has stuck. There are plenty of candidates each year, and being a player taken in the third round of the NFL Draft or later makes you eligible.
Enter this season’s leading duo. Tair Felton and Max Brosmer would like to make your acquaintance.
Mr. Mankato Is Still a Thing for the Vikings, and Two Men Can Reasonably Win It, Say Ted Schwerzler
The former is a third-round wide receiver out of Maryland. He’d love to be the second coming of Stefon Diggs, and there is a real opportunity for him to make a difference in year one. Receivers are often candidates to slow play their development. It’s unlikely he overtakes Jalen Nailor for the third wide receiver role out of the gate. A strong training camp and preseason would put those plans in motion, though.
Of course, to be a good wide receiver, you have to have a competent quarterback throwing you the ball as well. J.J. McCarthy is set to assume starting duties this season after Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He’s not going to play a ton in the preseason, and it’s unlikely that talent down the depth chart will work with him much.
If there is a quarterback who should see plenty of action during the exhibition slate, it is former Minnesota Gophers signal-caller Max Brosmer. He is locked in a battle for the third-string job with Brett Rypien. Even if that doesn’t work out, he should be a candidate to make the practice squad. Given the amount of runway Brosmer will have, there is plenty of opportunity for him to flash his skills.
The Minnesota Vikings have home preseason games against the Houston Texans and New England Patriots. If they want to showcase young talent for fans, then the tandem of Felton and Brosmer could establish a strong connection and demonstrate their chemistry early.
Kevin O’Connell is hoping this Vikings team can make noise during the regular season. Felton may have something to do with that, although Brosmer likely will not. When preparing to get their teammates ready, though, the Mr. Mankato favorites should both be on offense.
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