Vikings training camp is just around the corner, and this year’s edition promises to offer more intrigue than we’ve seen in a long time. Of course, it all starts with the quarterbacks, as this will be the first camp since 2017 to not feature Kirk Cousins as the undisputed starter. There are also plenty of intriguing players to watch beyond the QB battle, from emerging young talents to veteran newcomers. With a week to go until the first practice at the TCO Performance Center on July 24, here are my rankings of the ten players I’m most excited to see at Vikings training camp.
Let’s start with a surprise pick. Rodriguez, who the Vikings drafted in the seventh round this year, has a fascinating story and an infectious personality. He went from the NAIA level to FCS Texas A&M-Commerce and absolutely dominated there, showing impressive depth at defensive tackle. The Vikings believe their scouting process has unearthed a gem in Rodriguez. It should be fun to watch him work 1-on-1 against Minnesota’s young interior offensive linemen.
Another player who got unlucky, but for different reasons, Tonyan signed a one-year minimum deal with the Vikings in May. The 30-year-old had just 11 receptions for the Bears last season and is now four years removed from his 11-touchdown performance with the Packers in 2020. However, watching him during OTAs, he seemed to have plenty of juice left in the tank. With TJ Hockenson injured, Tonyan has a real chance to surpass Johnny Mundt and become the Vikings’ primary receiving option at TE during camp.
In the two years since being selected in the sixth round in 2022, Nailor has stood out in offseason workouts. He always seems to make plays in those situations, leading to inevitable buzz about his potential role in the regular season. Nailor finished his rookie season with a few solid games, but was injured last year and was limited to three receptions. With KJ Osborn gone and Jordan Addison potentially suspended, the opportunity is there for Nailor — along with veterans Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield — to carve out a role on offense this year.
The Vikings’ LB and OLB group underwent a bit of a personnel overhaul this offseason. Danielle Hunter, Jordan Hicks and DJ Wonnum are gone. Replacing them are free agents Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman and Van Ginkel. Greenard is the best player on that trio, but Van Ginkel may be the most interesting. He’s the epitome of versatility at outside linebacker, making him a perfect fit for Brian Flores, his former head coach in Miami. Expect to see AVG moving around all over the place during camp, assuming he’s ready to play after suffering a foot injury in the offseason.
Pace was a revelation in training camp last year as an undrafted rookie out of Cincinnati. He then shined in the preseason and carried that into the regular season, quickly becoming a very important and impactful player for Flores. Simply put, I can’t wait to see what Pace has in store for his sophomore campaign in the NFL. After an incredible rookie year, he’s poised to play a significant role alongside Cashman in 2024. That starts in camp, where the 5’10” fireball will be flying around the field and making things happen.
Another rising sophomore I’m excited to see is Blackmon, the Vikings’ third-round pick out of USC a year ago. He had a solid rookie season, playing over 400 snaps with eight pass breakups and three tackles for loss. Can he take a leap forward as a sophomore? At his best, Blackmon is sticky in coverage and plays bigger than his size. He’s just behind veterans Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin on the depth chart at cornerback, so this camp is important for him.
Most of the time, Turner would have been even higher on this list. Most of the time, Turner would have been a top-10 or even top-five pick in the draft. After an unprecedented run of offensive players in April, the Vikings were thrilled to see the Alabama star drop to No. 17, moving up six spots in the first round to make him their long-term replacement for Hunter. Turner is a ridiculous athlete with a prototypical frame, and he should have enough of an immediate role to be in the Defensive Rookie of the Year mix. A lot of eyes will be on the No. 15 pick in his first camp.
There’s no reason I should leave this guy out. The explanation is simple: Jefferson is one of the top five football players on the planet. Watching him play is incredible, but seeing him up close on the TCO practice field is almost different. His greatness is evident every time. Armed with a new contract and a bigger leadership role this year, Jefferson is going to do Jefferson things all camp long.
The Vikings are set to host a quarterback competition in training camp for the first time in seven years. There’s no way the top two spots in my rankings won’t be given to participants. Darnold is the presumptive starter after signing a one-year bridge deal this offseason. He doesn’t have the hype of the rookie he’s competing against, but the 27-year-old is more advanced as a quarterback right now. At least, that’s what he felt like during OTAs. If Darnold is ever going to have a career resurrection, this is probably where it happens. He has Kevin O’Connell as his head coach, former teammate Josh McCown as his position coach and the best receiver in the world to throw to. Let’s see what the former third-overall pick has to offer.
There’s no other answer. The most-drafted quarterback in franchise history, McCarthy is the great hope for a hungry fan base. If he succeeds, he’ll raise the Vikings’ ceiling higher than it’s been in a long time. He’s the future, if he’s good enough. When we saw him in spring practice, the speed of the ball coming out of McCarthy’s right hand was something to behold, but he also clearly had a lot of work to do. Everyone at the TCO Performance Center this summer will be watching the Michigan product closely to see how far he’s come since then.
