Vikings Training Camp Features 38 Early Arrivals
The dry period is officially over as training camp rolls around. Players and coaches prepare for the regular season but compete for the roster spots and the depth chart order. The first preseason contest is scheduled for August 10 with a matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders, a rematch of last season’s infamous 3-0 victory.
Vikings Training Camp Features 38 Early Arrivals
The rookies were scheduled to report on Sunday, while the veterans get two extra days of offseason. However, some experienced players joined the first-year athletes in the building. The Vikings announced 38 early arrivals (rookies in Italics):
- QB Sam Darnold
- QB Nick Mullens
- QB Jaren Hall
- QB J.J. McCarthy
- OL Henry Byrd
- OL Tyrese Robinson
- OL Jeremy Flax
- OL Michael Jurgens
- OL Doug Nester
- OL Spencer Rolland
- OL Walter Rouse
- RB DeWayne McBride
- WR Trishton Jackson
- WR Malik Knowles
- WR Thayer Thomas
- WR Ty James
- WR Jeshaun Jones
- TE T.J. Hockenson
- TE Nick Muse
- TE Trey Knox
- DL Tyler Manoa
- DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
- DL Taki Taimani
- OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
- OLB Gabriel Murphy
- OLB Owen Porter
- OLB Bo Richter
- OLB Dallas Turner
- LB Brian Asamoah II
- LB K.J. Cloyd
- LB Dallas Gant
- CB Mekhi Blackmon
- CB Dwight McGlothern
- S Camryn Bynum
- S NaJee Thompson
- K John Parker Romo
- K Will Reichard
- P Seth Vernon
Notably, all four quarterbacks showed up early, just like Kirk Cousins used to. The position will be much more in the spotlight than during Cousins’ tenure, as the depth chart is a mystery. Rookie J.J. McCarthy will certainly be the main attraction in training camp, contesting Sam Darnold for the starter job, although the latter is favored. Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall, meanwhile, compete for one spot on the 53-man roster.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson and pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel are the two injury question marks. Hockenson suffered a torn ACL and MCL in January, and his delayed surgery might impact his recovery timeline. His early season availability is in doubt. Van Ginkel should return earlier from a lisfranc injury suffered late in the season but might require a ramp-up period in the next few weeks, which could open the door for first-rounder Dallas Turner to get reps with the starters.
The specialists are also notable. Both kickers arrived. Rookie Will Reichard was selected in the sixth round, and John Parker Romo emerged from the XFL as a potential NFL kicker. Punter Seth Vernon reported early, while incumbent punter Ryan Wright did not.
Running back DeWayne McBride needs a big training camp after missing the 53-man roster in his rookie season. The RB3 spot behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler is vacant, which provides an opportunity for the former UAB standout.
The wideouts all compete for depth spots on the roster. Trishton Jackson has shined multiple times in previous training camps, while rookies Ty James and Jeshaun Jones were productive in college and want to continue that trend at the next level. Thayer Thomas and Malik Knowles return for a second season. The latter is intriguing after missing last year’s camp and the entire season on IR.
Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon showed promise in his debut season and seems motivated to take another step. The position has been a problem for years, so seeing him step up would be a huge boost for Brian Flores’ unit. Rookie Dwight McGlothern was a highly-touted UDFA with an intriguing physical skillset and the ball production to make some noise.
Another fascinating player is Brian Asamoah. After looking like a future starter in his rookie season, the linebacker was almost exclusively a special teams player in his sophomore year. He might now even lose the LB3 job to Kamu Grugier-Hill. After overcoming last year’s shoulder injury, he wants to earn more reps in 2024.
Defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez earned some buzz right after the draft. The seventh-rounder enters an underwhelming defensive line room and could be a player to watch in the upcoming weeks.
Safety Camryn Bynum is the most established player arriving early (besides the two injured starters). He will continue his rise to stardom after a wonderful 2023 season and is slowly becoming a leader of the defensive unit.
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