The Biggest Winners from Vikings Training Camp
It’s time for the Minnesota Vikings’ preseason after wrapping up training camp in Eagan, Minnesota.
Some players truly stood off the page at training camp. These Vikings saw their stock rise in a big way as the team wrapped up summer practices this week.
Training camp did not disappoint, as the club plots a course for the regular season, which is about four weeks away.
With camp in the rearview, these players represented the four main winners from the event, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top training camp winner).
Who Won Vikings Training Camp? We’ve Got Answers.
Minnesota featured several winners at camp, and these are the main four.
4. Gabriel Murphy | OLB
Three men will dominate Minnesota’s OLB snap in 2025. They are named Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. After those three, there’s a three-way clog between Gabriel Murphy, Bo Richter, and Tyler Batty — all undrafted free agents.
Well, when Minnesota released its first depth chart this week, Murphy stood alone as the OLB4 behind Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner. Unless it was a typo, that means Murphy had a phenomenal training camp.
Sporting News‘ Ryan O’Leary wrote about Murphy last month, “Murphy was among the Vikings’ training camp studs in 2024, at times running with the first-team defense. He should be back in the mix for second-team reps this summer along with Turner and Bo Richter, who’s a special teams ace.”
“Jones II played 459 snaps last season, so there is plenty of playing time up for grabs behind Pro Bowlers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Turner should be the biggest beneficiary as a former first-round draft pick, but Murphy has a chance to be one of the team’s top young risers in 2025.”
3. Jeff Okudah | CB
Before training camp, fans weren’t sure what to make of the Vikings’ CB room, particularly after Byron Murphy Jr. on the depth chart, the only sure thing at corner for the purple team.
Mekhi Blackmon or Dwight McGlothern could’ve emerged to steal the CB3 job, but so far, they have not. Okudah has clawed his way up the purple depth chart, and according to the document, he’s the CB3 next to Murphy Jr. and Rodgers.
Okudah has changed the bust narrative about himself, at least in Minnesota this summer.
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling noted on Okudah and the Vikings’ CB room this week: “The Vikings are excited about Isaiah Rodgers as a cover corner, and the free-agent pickup has continued to impress in camp (including with a pass breakup on Thursday). Saturday could give the Vikings their chance to see him and Jeff Okudah in their new nickel package, with Byron Murphy Jr. playing inside.”
“Okudah, the former No. 3 overall pick for the Lions, can reboot his career in Minnesota if he shows he’s refined his coverage and ball-tracking skills, while third-year man Mekhi Blackmon returns from a torn ACL. Undrafted free agent Zemaiah Vaughn could challenge for a roster spot, and Dwight McGlothern would help himself with a strong preseason.”
2. J.J. McCarthy | QB
McCarthy checked all the boxes at training camp, showing accuracy, arm strength, and poise, all while competing against a deadly defense created by Brian Flores.
The youngster, of course, struggled here and there, but that’s the way it goes at training camp — again, especially versus Flores’ men.
Fans left training camp feeling they have the right guy at QB1, and that’s what matters.
Fox Sports‘ Ben Arthur on McCarthy: “Even with Darnold walking in free agency, Minnesota looks even better on paper thanks to its upgrades in the trenches. If McCarthy succeeds right away, the Vikings will be off to the races. If he struggles, it could set the franchise back years. So expectations for the young quarterback must be tempered — even if what Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud did in back-to-back years has skewed what’s possible for passers in their debut season.”
“What’s been positive for McCarthy early in training camp is his mindset facing Brian Flores’ defense in practice every day. Known for his aggressive and creative schemes, Flores has been throwing the kitchen sink at McCarthy.”
1. Lucky Jackson | WR
Two or three months ago, Jackson danced around the bottom of Minnesota’s WR chart, probably around the WR7 spot for those keeping track at home.
But when the first depth chart hit the airwaves this week, Jackson’s name was penciled in next to the WR4 spot. Jordan Addison won’t play in the first three regular season games, which means Jackson is pretty much the WR3.
If you polled most purple fans three weeks ago, Jackson would be a no-brainer roster cut. Now, somehow, he’s a no-brainer WR4 or WR5.
He’s the almighty training camp winner. The depth chart speaks for itself.
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