5 Players to Keep an Eye on in the First Vikings Preseason Game
On Saturday, August 10th, Vikings preseason will kick off at home against the Las Vegas Raiders. This will be an opportunity for established players to grease their gears and continue training for the upcoming regular season. Many players will be on the field with them, either seeing their first taste of NFL action, vying for a spot on the Vikings roster, or, in some cases, both.
Vikings Preseason ‒ Who to Watch?
Vikings fans welcome football back into their living rooms, and these are 5 of the players to watch most closely when the Raiders come to town:
5. CB Dwight McGlothern
The Vikings head into the 2024 preseason with uncertainties surrounding their cornerback depth. While Byron Murphy and Shaq Griffin are expected to start for the Brian Flores-led defense, the depth behind them is less clear. Mekhi Blackmon was aiming for a strong second season after showing promise in 2023, but his ACL injury will prevent him from competing.
Akayleb Evans has played well at times but has faced criticism for some questionable playmaking. Recent signees Duke Shelley and Fabian Moreau might provide some of that depth, but Dwight McGlothern, an undrafted free agent from Arkansas, could make a surprising and significant impact at cornerback this season.
At a lengthy 6 ‘1” and 188 lbs, McGlothern is known for his ball skills, having recorded eight interceptions in college and earning high grades from PFF last season at Arkansas. After being passed on by every team in the draft, he’ll have a chance to see the field, prove himself to the Vikings in the preseason opener, and earn a spot in the cornerback rotation.
4. S Theo Jackson
The Vikings’ safety position has long been a strength, anchored by future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith. With Smith nearing the end of his career, the team will likely have some big shoes to fill soon. Lewis Cine, seemingly drafted as Smith’s successor in 2022, is on the roster bubble due to injuries and a lack of development. Cam Bynum and the versatile Josh Metellus can hold down the fort at the safety position, but Theo Jackson, a 2022 depth signing, also seems to be putting his name in the mix for playing time.
He’s currently fourth on the depth chart but has been seeing time with the starters at this training camp. Jackson has received a decent amount of playing time for the Vikings the past couple of seasons, even notching an interception against the Eagles in 2023. When the Vikings have needed a safety, his number has been called before Cine’s. He should see a chunk of playing time during Week 1 of the preseason and will be looking to continue to further his role and future with the Vikings.
3. OLB Dallas Turner
The Vikings urgently needed a top pass rusher in the 2024 draft to replace the loss of star Danielle Hunter, and they found one in Dallas Turner, who was selected 17th overall. Many billed Turner as one of the ‒ if not the best ‒ pass rushers in this year’s class. Standing at 6’3” and 247 lbs, Turner is an absolute bull of a pass rusher.
He tallied 22.5 sacks as a defensive stalwart at Alabama, consistently giving offensive linemen too much to handle. Turner is an absolute specimen athletically and plays with a mean streak and tenacity that will translate to the NFL. He likely will see the field early in his career on passing downs and should get an opportunity to show off his muscle for the first time in purple this coming Saturday, which will be a sight Vikings fans hope to see for years to come.
2. WR Jalen Nailor
The Vikings’ wide receiver group, led by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, is a major strength on the roster. KJ Osborn left for New England after holding down the WR3 spot admirably the past few years, leaving the depth behind them in question.
Brandon Powell saw time on the field for the Vikings last season, and though he is solid, he doesn’t have some of the same intangibles that made Osborn successful. The biggest threat to Powell’s role is Jalen Nailor, who may have the most untapped potential in the entire room.
In the past couple of camps, Nailor looked to be one of the better players on the offense. He’s a shifty, versatile receiver with a different gear than the other players vying for the WR3 spot on the Vikings. Injuries have limited his availability since he was drafted in 2022, so he can hopefully have a healthy preseason and show what he can bring to this team during the preseason.
1. QB J.J. McCarthy
This is undoubtedly the player who will have the most eyes on him when the Vikings play the Raiders this Saturday. After years of having Kirk Cousins drive the offense, the Vikings will see a change at the quarterback position in 2024.
Veteran Sam Darnold will likely be the starter when the season begins, but another quarterback on the roster will have more attention when the preseason kicks off. J.J. McCarthy, who Minnesota selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, will take the field in a Vikings jersey for the first time in his career on August 10th.
After an illustrious career at Michigan, Vikings fans hope he can be the first successful home-grown quarterback the team has had in decades. Kevin O’Connell and his staff may need some time to groom McCarthy into his finished product, but he has already been wowing fans at camp and on social media with his athleticism and arm talent.
He seems to be ahead of schedule in his progression, which is good for those hoping McCarthy starts at some point this season. Saturday, he should see quite a bit of time on the field, which will give us Vikings fans a glimpse at what the future of our franchise may look like.
Honorable Mentions: DT Levi Drake Rodriguez, K Will Reichard, OLB Gabe Murphy, OL Walter Rousse, OLB Pat Jones
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus and Sports Reference CFB helped with this article.