Three Promising Developments from Vikings Training Camp
Training camp is well underway in Minnesota, and there is a lot to be excited about with this Vikings team.
Between a new chapter at QB, a seriously talented defensive front, and new veterans on the offensive line, Minnesota did plenty of things right throughout the offseason.
Even still, there were a few question marks heading into camp, but so far, a few pleasant surprises through the first few practices of Vikings training camp seem to be easing any fears heading into the season.
Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern Showing Out
Heading into training camp, the biggest question mark on the roster easily was the cornerback position. Byron Murphy obviously was going to be a starter, but who would join him?
There’s a long way to go, but it is very promising that both Jeff Okudah and Dwight McGlothern have made the most of their reps on defense.
Brian Flores spoke very highly of Okudah earlier this week.
“In his time here, he’s been as diligent from on the field, off the field, training room, weight room. He’s always looking to do extra film work. I don’t know what’s happened in other buildings. I know that since he’s been here, it’s been great to coach him. I think he’s getting better, I think he’s getting more comfortable within the defense and what we’re gonna ask him to do. And he’s shown up positively, really in every way. I’m excited to watch him continue to improve. I think he’s got a lot of skill,” Flores said of his new cornerback.
The veteran has never quite lived up to that No. 3 overall pick status throughout his career, but perhaps Flores can be the coordinator to turn his career 180 degrees.
Additionally, Dwight McGlothern has been a playmaker throughout the first few practices, seemingly being a magnet for the football.
“McGlothern recorded his third consecutive practice with a pick to make it a streak. He nabbed a pass by Max Brosmer and returned the ball the distance before taking a victory lap in front of offensive players who were not in on the play,” Craig Peters wrote on Vikings.com.
One of these players turning into contributors on defense would have been fantastic, but both would be a dream scenario.
Christian Darrisaw’s Recovery
After Christian Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL last season, the expectation was that he would miss some time during the 2025 regular season as he recovered.
For now, though, it seems like that timeline has ramped up as Darrisaw returned to team drills this week.
“Darrisaw had been working only in individual position drills as part of the Vikings’ plan to slowly ramp him up. He was on the field for roughly half of the first-team snaps,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote on Wednesday.
Darrisaw has been one of the most dominant left tackles in the NFL when healthy, and it seems like a very real possibility that he will be on he field as early as Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
With Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill holding down the tackle spots, J.J. McCarthy should have plenty of time to process the field and throw the football from a clean pocket. It’s something that makes a world of difference for a young QB still learning to play at NFL speed.
Donovan Jackson’s Strong Start
The Vikings took a big chance when they selected Donovan Jackson in the first round of this spring’s draft. They easily could have opted to take a corner or perhaps even a defensive tackle, but instead, they opted to snatch another mauler for the interior of their offensive line.
So far, Jackson is doing everything right. He’s getting first-team snaps, and he hasn’t been out of place while playing there. Even better, per head coach Kevin O’Connell, the mistakes that have been noticed seem to be getting fixed overnight.
“I think for Donovan, the perfect example would be day to day. So, day one, there was a couple things. That was his first reps of full speed team. We jogged through in the spring. And there was a couple things Kup (Chris Kuper) hit him on, Keith (Carter) hit him on, talking to Ryan Kelly or even CD (Christian Darrisaw) sitting next to him in meetings. And you show back up the next day and he immediately fixes those things, whether it’s fundamental recognition, hand usage, which I thought was really, really, really cool to see because that’s what this position is all about inside,” O’Connell said.
Like McCarthy, there inevitably will be growing pains for Jackson along the way, but it is promising that the rookie is taking any opportunity to learn from talented veterans around him. Hopefully, it translates to him turning into one of the cornerstones on Minnesota’s offensive line.
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