How Many of the Vikings Rookies Will Make the Starting Lineup?
Josh Frey
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If nothing else, the 2022 NFL Draft was an eventful one for the Minnesota Vikings. They made multiple trades with division rivals, but certainly came away with a talented cast of characters. The remaining question is, amidst all the other talented players on the roster, just how many of these Vikings rookies will actually make it into the starting lineup during 2022?
G Ed Ingram
The offensive side of the ball may not see too many Vikings rookies joining the starters this year. Barring any injury, Ed Ingram is the only feasible option at this point in time. Even this one may take some time, though.
Jesse Davis was signed at the end of March, and he also appeared with the starters during a recent OTA practice. Now, Davis has not been the most capable guard over the course of his career, but being an NFL veteran gives him an advantage in this position battle. Wyatt Davis, a 2021 third-round pick, is also in the middle of this battle, but I still believe that his best chance at getting into the lineup would be at center.
Davis (referring to the Jesse version) will most likely begin the year as the starter unless Ingram wows during training camp and preseason. However, Ingram should get some rotational reps and then become a starter towards the middle of the season.
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S Lewis Cine
The first round of the draft was a long night for Vikings fans, but it culminated in Minnesota drafting a player that they seemingly held in very high regards. Lewis Cine was a terrific safety at Georgia, and his hard-hitting, fast-paced play should be welcomed with open arms in Minnesota.
Xavier Woods held down the safety position opposite of Harrison Smith in 2021, and it actually was a quite productive season. Even so, I would argue that Cine brings far more natural talent to the football field. Being a first round pick, he is obvioulsy the most likely of all the Vikings rookies to join the starting lineup. It should be to no one’s surprise that the first rounder will be there Week 1.
CB Andrew Booth Jr.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was on a mission to improve the Vikings thin secondary during the draft, and after drafting Cine in the first round, he brought in Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr in the second. Minnesota’s CB room was a roller coaster once again in 2021, and the lowlight was Bashaud Breeland.
After spending months with the cornerback position being the weakest position on the roster, the issue now has become too many players to start. Booth is certainly in the mix, and this positional depth has caused some to believe that perhaps veteran Patrick Peterson will not be in the starting lineup come September.
K Gabe Brkic
Let’s be clear about one thing: the Vikings didn’t just pick a name out of the UDFA hat and end up pulling kicker Gabe Brkic. The former Oklahoma Sooner is in Minnesota to compete for the starting kicking job with Greg Joseph, and I believe there is a very good chance that he pulls it off.
Brkic offers an extremely powerful leg, but not only that, he is consistent. Joseph certainly deserves a shot to defend himself as the incumbent, and he will get it at camp, but he must bring his A-game against the new Vikings rookie.
