Predicting the Week 1 Vikings Starters: Offense
Josh Frey
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Training camp got started for the Minnesota Vikings this past week, and we’ve already seen some surprising developments from the first few days of practice.
Today, we’re going to jump ahead past training camp and predict the Week 1 Vikings starters, beginning with the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback: Kirk Cousins
Unless disaster strikes over the next month, there is very little that can happen that would change who starts at QB for the Vikings in Week 1. Kirk Cousins is coming off a season in which he was one of the clutchest quarterbacks in the NFL, leading eight 4th-quarter comebacks. However, Minnesota had a very lackluster exit from the playoffs, and with their QB entering the final year of his contract, Minnesota needs to see Cousins prove that he can lead a deep playoff run.
Running Back: Alexander Mattison
The Vikings no longer have Dalvin Cook around, but they are hoping that his former backup, Alexander Mattison, can produce in a similar fashion. Of course, he will face some competition in camp from Ty Chandler and perhaps DeWayne McBride can be a spark plug in the backfield as well, but Mattison should be considered the top dog heading into the season.
Wide Receiver: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn
The trio of Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson, and K.J. Osborn has a chance to become the best wide receiver group in the entire NFL. Jefferson is a shoo-in for that WR1 spot as long as he can stay healthy, especially since his ongoing contract negotiations haven’t impacted his presence at training camp. Addison and Osborn will be in a fierce battle that, ultimately, we’re predicting Addison to win, but both players will be crucial contributors this year.
Tight End: T.J. Hockenson
The trade to acquire T.J. Hockenson turned the Vikings offensive around for the better in 2022, with the tight end catching 60 passes and accruing over 500 receiving yards over just 10 games with the team. Now he enters 2023 as the lead man in one of the deepest tight end rooms in the NFC that also features up-and-coming Josh Oliver and veteran Johnny Mundt.
Offensive Tackle: Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill
Christian Darrisaw took massive steps forward in his second NFL season, not only keeping Cousins’ jersey clean, but he also provided some excellent run-blocking in the Vikings zone scheme, opening up lanes for Cook and Mattison. Opposite from him, Brian O’Neill did not start training camp on the PUP list after his partial Achilles tear during the 2022 season in Week 17 against the Packers, so he seems to remain on track to start Week 1.
IOL: Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Ed Ingram
The interior of the Vikings offensive line was one of the more uncertain groups on this team when the offseason began. Garrett Bradbury improved during 2022, but after the team declined his fifth-year option, some believed they would let him walk and go with a different option.
Meanwhile, Ed Ingram started all 17 games at right guard during his rookie season, but he had some major struggles in pass protection. However, the team opted to bring just about everyone back from the 2022 group, making it seem like they are content to run it back with the same trio on the IOL.
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.