Vikings vs. Browns | 5 Items To Watch
The Minnesota Vikings won their preseason opener. It was the first such win under Kevin O’Connell and the first since 2019, when Mike Zimmer sent Kyle Sloter onto the field, which feels like it was a decade ago. One week later, the Vikings will miss their first-round quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, after his season-ending injury.
Vikings vs. Browns | 5 Items To Watch
McCarthy’s second exposure would’ve clearly made the list, but that item must wait almost a full year to resurface. Still, there are many fascinating storylines and reasons to tune in.
1. Can a Runner Emerge?
The Vikings are set with Aaron Jones at the RB1 spot. Ty Chandler had a bad outing last week, dropping a pair of passes while his running was average. Still, he is fairly entrenched as the RB2.
But behind the duo, the team needs a third option in case of injury and to take some load off the top duo. Kene Nwangwu had a wonderful deep run, but he’s still struggling to read plays properly, and his pass protection is a problem.
Myles Gaskin once started for the Dolphins, but he just doesn’t seem to be dynamic enough to be a real threat. DeWayne McBride’s inability to catch the ball limits his potential. It’s a new chance for each one of them to show improved play. The RB3 spot is wide-open as long as the Vikings don’t acquire another runner.
2. Bo Richter’s Second Act
Undrafted rookie Bo Richter dominated the second half on the defensive side of the ball, producing five tackles and one sack.
He is a physical freak and has the motor to make an impact. The Vikings employ a pass-rushing trio of Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner, with Jihad Ward and Pat Jones II as the backups. Possibly, one of the undrafted rookies, Gabriel Murphy and Richter, can enter the rotation.
For Richter, the task is clear: keep stacking good performances.
3. Which Receivers Shine?
Trishton Jackson and Jalen Nailor were among the most obvious winners against the Raiders, combining for 163 yards on seven catches. They managed to play well regardless of who was passing the ball.
The wideouts will get another chance, this time with Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall under center. Nailor is making a strong case for the WR3 job, which is the top role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jackson, meanwhile, has turned enough heads to get some serious 53-man roster consideration.
Can someone else create some buzz for himself? Rookies Ty James and Jeshaun Jones come to mind, just like sophomore Malik Knowles. Thayer Thomas will miss the game in concussion protocol.
4. More Levi Drake Rodriguez?
Seventh-rounder Levi Drake Rodriguez has shown some talent in his debut, logging a sack and a pair of tackles. Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, and Jerry Tillery are the top three guys on the defensive line. It remains one of the team’s biggest concerns entering the season.
The pick would already be worth it if the rookie could give them a spark. His first showing was quite promising. Another player to watch is Jalen Redmond, who starred in the UFL in the spring and showed some flashes, too.
5. The Lewis Cine Experience
Lewis Cine has barely contributed in two seasons with the Vikings. At first, he couldn’t crack the lineup; then, a brutal injury ended his rookie year. Last season, he was the sixth safety and often remained inactive.
While he is still that sixth safety and perhaps even struggles to shield off Bobby McCain for that spot, the 24-year-old has looked much better versus the Raiders compared to the previous two years. He was much more rapid and seemed to diagnose plays quickly.
It might very well be too late for him, but adding a couple of strong performances to his resume would be a big step.
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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