Rookies Report to Vikings Training Camp Today

Josh Frey |

Jul 23, 2023

Jan 31, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings helmets and equipment at the Super Bowl LII Experience at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Folks, the offseason has officially come to an end. Today, the Vikings rookies report to training camp, meaning that in short time we will get to see the full team on the field once again. On Tuesday, veterans report to camp, and we will be back into the full swing of things.

The Vikings drafted six players during the 2023 NFL Draft this spring, a class that included USC star wide receiver Jordan Addison. The receiver was charged with reckless driving last week, so it is unclear if that will impact his participation in camp, especially early on.

Vikings Select WR Jordan Addison — Oct 1, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) runs away from Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back D.J. Taylor (3) for a first down in the first half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless, though, we should see the other five players from that draft class report today and participate throughout camp. Those five include the following:

CB Mekhi Blackmon (Round 3, Pick 102)
CB Jay Ward (Round 4, Pick 134
DT Jaquelin Roy (Round 4, Pick 141)
QB Jaren Hall (Round 5, Pick 164)
RB DeWayne McBride (Round 7, Pick 222)

The Vikings also added 15 undrafted free agents to their group immediately after the draft that will report as well. That class of players includes:

OL Alan Ali, TCU
DT Calvin Avery, Illinois
ILB Abraham Beauplan, Marshall
OLB Andre Carter II, Army
OL Jacky Chen, Pace
CB C.J. Coldon, Oklahoma
ILB Wilson Huber, Cincinnati
WR Cephus Johnson, Southeastern Louisiana
WR Malik Knowles, Kansas State
ILB Ivan Pace, Jr., Cincinnati
K Jack Podlesny, Georgia
TE Ben Sims, Baylor
WR Thayer Thomas, N.C. State
CB NaJee Thompson, Georgia Southern
CB Jaylin Williams, Indiana

Rookies Report — Nov 5, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) reacts after sacking Navy Midshipmen quarterback Xavier Arline (not pictured) in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, many of the UDFAs will be candidates more for the practice squad than the final 53-man roster, but there are a few players to keep an eye on. The two most notable candidates for the final roster are LBs Andre Carter and Ivan Pace.

Carter is a true EDGE, standing at 6’7. His length and athleticism are very intriguing traits that could be used by the Vikings, especially considering they traded Za’Darius Smith to the Browns during the spring.

Dec 10, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Army Black Knights outside linebacker Andre Carter II (34) reacts after a play against the Navy Midshipmen during the first half of the 123rd Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA Today Sports

As for Pace, he is well-versed as a blitzer throughout his collegiate years. Last season with the Cincinnati Bearcats, he recorded a whopping 20.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. In an aggressive Brian Flores defense, these skills should be utilized often, particularly on third down situations.

In all, we’ve been waiting months to see the Vikings get back onto the field after their disappointing end to the 2022 season. Soon, we’ll get to see the full team back in action.

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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.