5 Mr. Mankato Candidates for Vikings Training Camp
Vikings training camp begins on Tuesday when the veterans join the rookies at TCO Performance Center two days after the first-year players are scheduled to report this year. Years ago, when training camp was still held in Mankato, the folks from SKOR North initiated an annual award, determining one emerging out-of-nowhere player.
There are only a few guidelines, according to SKOR North’s Phil Mackey.
5 Mr. Mankato Candidates
Some of the players might be outdated, but the rules aren’t. Previous winners include Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Kyle Sloter, and Ivan Pace. Here are five potential winners in 2024.
Dwight McGlothern
The undrafted rookie out of Arkansas was one of the top players in the pool of undrafted players. While the award favors offensive talent, ex-Vikings cornerback Cam Dantzler also received the recognition in 2020, so there’s a path for McGlothern.
He has an intriguing length of a 6’2″ cornerback and ran a 4.47 40-yard dash. Over his last two seasons, McGlothern caught seven interceptions. His athletic profile and ball-hawk abilities give him the necessary skills to turn heads in camp. He might create enough buzz if he can force some splashy without getting caught for big plays over the top. If he can usurp one of the five cornerbacks ahead of him, he would likely land a roster spot.
Malik Knowles
Last year’s undrafted rookie receiver got injured before training camp and missed his entire rookie season with the Vikings on IR. But Malik Knowles is back for a second attempt to crack the 53-man roster or at least a spot on the practice squad. Wideouts have a relatively easy path to win the honors, as they are the ones who can produce exciting catches.
He played five seasons at Kansas State and was a weapon on offense, primarily playing receiver, but he also logged over 100 rushing yards in each of his last three campaigns and returned kicks.
Gabriel Murphy
As previously mentioned, it is hard for defenders to grab enough attention, but it isn’t impossible. In 2017, undrafted defensive end Tashawn Bower was named Mr. Mankato. Gabriel Murphy fits that mold. He was productive at UCLA, registering 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks in his final college season.
Murphy surely had the explosiveness and the production to be drafted, but size limitations made him fall straight into Minnesota’s laps. Just last year, Vikings rookie Pace was phenomenal with a similar profile.
Jeshaun Jones
Back to the wide receiver room, Jeshaun Jones is another undrafted rookie. He attended the University of Maryland, where he would spend six years. The reason for his extended career? He suffered two torn ACLs. Still, he fought back both times and whenever he was healthy, he produced for Diggs’ alma mater.
In his last season, Jones tabulated 56 catches for 790 yards and four touchdowns. His last knee injury happened in 2021, and he has been healthy since, playing in all 26 contests in 2022 and 2023. The Vikings felt good about his future, guaranteeing a significant sum of his salary.
Jalen Nailor
This one is tricky. The subjective rule of “established NFL player” could prevent him from entering the race in the first place. Jalen Nailor shined in his rookie season with limited opportunities, catching nine passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. His contest versus the Green Bay Packers was a true breakout game, and he scored one of two Vikings touchdowns in that game.
So, is he eligible? That remains to be seen. But he has the talent to make an impact and could compete for the vacant WR3 job. Nailor missed the majority of the 2023 season injured and only made three grabs all season. Staying healthy is key.
Honorable Mentions
Running back DeWayne McBride was a popular player last summer but didn’t see the field in his rookie season, which is concerning considering the struggling rushing attack. Improvement is possible, but a running back has never won, and with the lack of contact in practice, it will likely stay that way.
When everyone is looking at Vikings first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, sophomore Jaren Hall could make a jump and show some talent. It might be unlikely, but it would be a fun story.
Trishton Jackson has spent the last three seasons on Minnesota’s practice squad and just keeps performing well in the spring and the summer. What if he can finally get over the hump and explode into the WR3 role?
Can a kicker win? Rookie Will Reichard has the college track record and the spring reviews to fix the seemingly cursed position. Still, he must hit a couple of 60-yarders and have a flawless training camp to get recognition.
Tight end Trey Knox is a longshot to make the 53-man roster, but the undrafted rookie out of South Carolina is a converted wide receiver who might flash his receiving skills.
Editor’s Note: Information from Sports Reference helped with this article.
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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