Janik Eckardt’s Training Camp Predictions for Vikings
Coming off a 7-10 season, the Minnesota Vikings want to improve their record in the upcoming campaign. The oddsmakers are skeptical of that idea, listing the team with a projected win total of about seven. Many new players have been acquired throughout the offseason in the draft and free agency, and they will all compete with the returning athletes in training camp for the jobs on the team.
Janik Eckardt’s Training Camp Predictions for Vikings
With training camp only days away, here are a handful of predictions:
1. Dallas Turner Is the Real Deal
It took the organization almost two decades to acquire another pass rusher in the first round of the draft. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah put all analytics aside and traded up for Alabama’s defender Dallas Turner. The pricey transaction is risky, but nobody will care if he’s as good as advertised.
Our first introduction to the explosive pass rusher came when Christian Darrisaw praised his spin move in OTAs, and many similar stories will emerge from training camp. He is too quick, too fast, simply too talented to just be an average contributor without any flashy moments.
With Andrew Van Ginkel potentially missing a few days early on in camp, Turner might use the opportunity to make his case for a starting role opposite Jonathan Greenard.
2. No Starting Job for Dalton Risner
Dalton Risner re-signed late with the Vikings after testing free agency and not finding what he had been looking for. Surely he would just enter the starting unit again, right?
Not this time. The coaching staff has praised last year’s backup, Blake Brandel, ad nauseam, and he will win the camp battle over the former second-rounder. On the other side, Ed Ingram stays in his right guard spot.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said in June: “We bring back Dalton Risner, who’s gonna compete like crazy at the guard spot with both Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel.”
Risner will stick around, and having a decent backup is a positive, considering that both Ezra Cleveland and Ingram missed a few games in 2023.
3. J.J. McCarthy Flashes But Needs More Time
The Vikings had never drafted a quarterback in the top ten until J.J. McCarthy joined the organization in April. Coming out of college as a national champion, many questioned whether the prospect would be worth a high pick because his numbers couldn’t compete with the other top-tier rookie passers.
He possesses intriguing tools but needs some time to learn the playbook, perhaps change some mechanics, and adjust to the higher speed of the professional game. Therefore, Sam Darnold remains the starter.
Still, the 21-year-old will show flashes as he did in the spring. His throwing power and mobility will be nice assets that he needs to learn to control better and become more consistent. His time will come, and training camp will be promising, but more patience is needed.
4. Will Reichard Is the Kicker
Some readers will probably just shrug here. However, it is not a given that rookie kicker Will Reichard works out and is a superior kicker over former XFL standout John Parker Romo.
Similarly to Turner, we have only heard positives about the other Alabama prospect. He showed impressive leg strength and was more consistent in OTAs than his older counterpart. In addition to that, he obviously has the advantage of the team spending a sixth-round pick for him. The investment already put him in the pole position.
It would take an incredible performance from Romo and some struggles from the rookie, but that will not happen.
5. A New WR Arrives
K.J. Osborn departed in the offseason, leaving a gap behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. A third receiver is needed.
The contestants are punt returner Brandon Powell, who emerged in 2023, and speedy 2022 sixth-rounder Jalen Nailor. Free agent addition Trent Sherfield might be another longshot candidate.
However, the Vikings aren’t pleased with the talent pool and acquire another wideout. Whether that is another average contributor or a true WR3 remains to be seen. Houston employs some candidates. The AFC franchise has too many receivers, including Robert Woods, who has a history with O’Connell.
6 Vikings Selected in UFL Draft
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