5 Instant Takeaways from Vikings at Browns
Kevin O’Connell celebrated last week’s preseason victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He only had to wait another seven days for his second win as the Vikings came out victorious over the Cleveland Browns. As always, the result of the exhibition matchup isn’t important. The individual performances of those fighting for spots on the 53-man roster are much more significant.
5 Instant Takeaways from Vikings at Browns
It was another learning experience for Vikings fans. Some players excelled, others didn’t. Here are a few takeaways.
1. Not so Fast on Lewis Cine
2022 first-rounder Lewis Cine has been counted out by many, entering the offseason as the sixth safety following two wasted seasons. After a quiet but solid first outing, he exploded onto the scene (no pun intended) against the Browns.
The 24-year-old logged ten tackles, an interception, and a sack, but even outside of his production, he was dramatically better than in years past. Cine was flying around, always trying to make plays ‒ a huge difference compared to the guy from the last two preseasons, who was often late and barely had a positive impact.
If the Vikings had previously planned to move on, they should strongly reconsider with the cutdown day looming on August 27, as he looked a lot like a first-round safety with freakish athletic tools.
2. Trishton Jackson Should Be on the Team
Compared to Cine, Trishton Jackson has always made plays in previous preseasons. However, he might have taken another step as he is up to 139 receiving yards on seven catches through two games, including a pair of touchdowns.
After catching a deep bomb from J.J. McCarthy last week, he managed to make a toe-drag grab in the endzone on Saturday. Nick Mullens frequently targeted the veteran, but he excels regardless of who’s under center.
Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are set for the top WR spots. Behind them, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, and Jackson are the next four in line. If the Vikings only keep five wideouts, it will be a tough decision. Jackson has been making his case all summer.
3. Overhaul the Kickoffs
The kickoffs have undergone a rule change in the offseason. The ball must be kicked into a specific landing area, and the coverage unit can’t move until the ball is caught. For some reason, Minnesota’s kicking unit kept getting flagged for illegal formation.
Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels will have to get his unit in line, although it should be noted that many of the players in that group won’t be on the team in Week 1. Still, it is unacceptable to just hand the opposing team an additional five yards, especially multiple times.
4. 2 Undrafted Rookies to Remember
Two undrafted rookies flashed on Saturday. The first one, Dwight McGlothern, has been a highly-touted player since he joined the organization in April. A cornerback out of Arkansas, McGlothern’s ball skills have translated to the next level. He caught a pass from Tyler Huntley and returned it for 91 yards.
The pursuing Browns caught him, but he keeps making plays and might have a shot to make the 53-man roster and perhaps even compete for a significant role.
Defensive tackle Taki Taimani was flying under the radar, but his play as a run-stuffing nose tackle has been quite promising. The stat sheet shows six tackles, but he blew up various run plays. The rookie out of Oregon is a strong practice squad candidate and might be the depth nose tackle with Jaquelin Roy continuing to disappoint.
5. Ed Ingram Somehow Keeps Finding Himself in Preseason Games
Dalton Risner also missed the second game injured, and four starters were held out. The only exception was right guard Ed Ingram. In the first preseason game, he played longer than the other starters, and this time, he was the lone starter out there.
His reps were mixed with dominant plays and remarkable struggles against a backup group. The fact that he continues to play could be a bad sign for his future, although Risner’s absence is helping him.
It might not have been Ingram’s fault, but the starting offensive line was leaky. Quarterback Mullens took a beating throughout his reps. The backup line is concerning.
Vikings Preseason Game Number 2 Produced a Major Winner
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