The Minnesota Vikings will begin their training camp on July 21st, with the arrival of the rookies and some select veterans. Two days later, the remaining players will join the youngsters, and the group will prepare for the regular season that will begin on September 8th. Like every year, the coaching staff will evaluate the athletes during training camp to form the depth chart.
Unpredictable Competition Awaits Vikings in Training Camp
While most eyes will be on rookie J.J. McCarthy and the presumed QB1 Sam Darnold, there will be a fascinating competition on Brian Flores’ defense. After adding a couple of intriguing players, the cornerback room is suddenly crowded, and the roles are up for grabs.
The status quo entering the offseason was that the top four cornerbacks from last season all returned. Byron Murphy, last year’s free-agent signing, will continue to start. The former second-rounder is a solid player, although he doesn’t quite have the skills to lock down opposing wideouts entirely. Murphy is a smooth player but has some limitations because of his size. It will be the final season of his two-year contract. He will continue to handle one of the starting spots and is a reliable player.
But behind him, the depth chart is a mystery. Akayleb Evans started most games in 2023, but his sophomore season was up-and-down. He was benched twice late in the year, though he was at least serviceable for most of the season. Also returning is 2023 third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon. The rookie out of USC showed some flashes, but he shares Murphy’s size limitations and struggles in his starting experience.
Once a highly-touted second-rounder, Andrew Booth still hasn’t fully arrived in the NFL. The former Clemson standout is on the roster bubble, but he might still reach his potential, considering some promising reps under Flores.
In addition to those four, the Vikings signed veteran Shaquill Griffin. He is no longer in his prime but has been a trustworthy contributor recently. The Vikings will test how well he can still play, and at the very least, Griffin will provide a veteran presence.
On day three of the draft, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah selected his first player in almost 100 picks and acquired Oregon’s Khyree Jackson. The 6’4″ defender was an older prospect, but his size is intriguing. His final season in college was outstanding.
After the draft, Adofo-Mensah also added undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern, another tall defensive back. Many pundits viewed him as a mid-to-late-round draft pick, so he can’t be ruled out to make the 53-man roster.
With less than a month away from training camp, it is truly unpredictable which players of the group will emerge with roster spots and starting roles. Murphy’s starting role is secured, but the remainder of the depth chart is unknown.
Evans started last year over Booth and Blackmon, which should give him the pole position. However, Griffin might still have something left in the tank and challenge him for that CB2 job. Jackson was a fourth-round choice, and those usually need some time to grow, though crazier things have happened. There is a world in which he is game-ready and can contribute immediately.
Another aspect is that the Vikings might want to slide Murphy more into the slot cornerback role, where he has shown enormous potential in the past. Flores must find two different defensive backs on the outside to do that.
Griffin and Murphy handled the two outside spots during OTAs, while Evans subbed in when the Vikes ran three cornerback sets. In that case, Murphy played in the slot. In training camp, there should be an early indication of whether or not Griffin will stay in that CB2 spot on the depth chart.
Regardless, it will be a fascinating competition as multiple players enter camp with the chance to start, but an underwhelming outing could also land them on the chopping block. At this point, the outcome is unpredictable.
Editor’s Note: Information from Over the Cap and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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Publish date : 2024-06-29 22:33:27
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