Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY SportsCredit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings’ starting lineup is a bit of a moving target.
In mid-July, there’s a ton that can change between now and the opening contest against the New York Giants (Sunday, September 8th — less than two months away). Injuries are an unfortunate part of football and there’s a ton of competing that still needs to happen. Even still, we can make a pretty strong educated guess, so let’s give it a whirl on a pre-training camp basis.
The Vikings’ Starting Lineup in Week 1
The Offense
Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings full back C.J. Ham (30) reacts to scoring a touchdown along with Minnesota Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill (75) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Darrisaw, ChristianRisner, DaltonBradbury, GarrettBrandel, BlakeO’Neill, Brian Darnold, SamJones, Aaron Jefferson, JustinOliver, JoshPowell, BrandonAddison, Jordan
Commentary: Truth be told, there’s a lot going on here.
Yes, there’s plenty that’s certain. Jefferson and Addison aren’t going anywhere. Bradbury will be snapping the ball, Jones will be running it, and Darnold is (probably) in charge of passing it.
What happens at guard, though? My take is that Risner re-assumes his LG1 spot, thereby allowing Brandel to build off of last season’s foray into the right guard position. Wes Phillips is a fan of the guard and has spoken about giving him a chance to become a starter. Does that happen on the right rather than on the left?
Brandon Powell isn’t a perfect player but he can be a successful WR3 within the context of Minnesota’s offense, especially once T.J. Hockenson is back. The thinking is that he’ll actually be pass catcher #5 since Hockenson and Jones will demand more targets.
Finally, look for Oliver to get worked into the mix a year after playing all seventeen games and starting fourteen. The blocking bully may even pick up a few more targets and become a bit more of a threat as a pass catcher.
The Defense
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) and safety Josh Metellus (44) tackle Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) causing him to fumble in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Greenard, Jonathan Phillips, HarrisonRoy, JaquelinVan Ginkel, AndrewPace Jr., IvanCashman, BlakeMurphy Jr., ByronMetellus, JoshBynum, CamrynSmith, HarrisonGriffin, Shaq
Commentary: Maybe the boldest take is that Jaquelin Roy is going to be a starter.
The soon-to-be sophomore has some power and quickness in his game. He’s operating from within a defensive tackle position that’s lacking in established talent beyond Horrible Harry and Kevin O’Connell has previously said good things about Roy.
Otherwise, it’s at least somewhat notable that Van Ginkel is tossed into the starting lineup rather than Dallas Turner. The rookie pass rusher is going to be the EDGE3, someone who functions as a menace when opposing teams are facing 3rd & 7+. Or, put differently, someone who begins his career on obvious passing downs so that he can get after the QB as he continues refining his game.
The back end of the defense is looking quite similar to last season. The major difference is that Griffin has taken Akayleb Evans’ starting spot. When there needs to be a third corner, Mekhi Blackmon will get tossed onto the field as Murphy slides into the slot (a spot where O’Connell wants Murphy to play more).
Flores’ first test is going to involve slowing down Daniel Jones and a humdrum Giants offense. Can this starting lineup do the trick?
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.
Source link : https://purpleptsd.com/2024/vikings/opinion/projecting-vikings-starting-w1/
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Publish date : 2024-07-12 08:00:00
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