Minnesota Vikings 2024 Training Camp Preview

Minnesota Vikings 2024 Training Camp Preview

After an injury-riddled 2023 campaign, the Minnesota Vikings are entering the 2024 NFL Season in a new era with new faces behind center! They made improvements around their roster this offseason and could be a sneaky threat to steal the NFC North crown. How do we view them ahead of training camp? Let’s talk about it!

Three Position Battles To Watch:

Quarterback: JJ McCarthy vs. Sam Darnold

At this point of the offseason, this battle may not be viewed much as a “competition,” per se. Darnold has the clear leg up. But this is one I want to monitor because I am still curious to see how McCarthy progresses and holds up in camp. He’s 21-years-old with not a ton of experience under his belt, but all indications point to him being the “future” for the Minnesota Vikings behind center. It’s not likely he starts Week 1–barring injury–but hearing good feedback out of training camp could be a positive development for what’s ahead.

Guards: Blake Brandel, Ed Ingram, Dalton Risner

I listed all three guards because there are essentially two spots up for grabs. Risner was a late offseason addition, though he appeared in 11 games with Minnesota last year at left guard and was impactful. Ed Ingram‘s struggled to hold his own and Minnesota appears to be banking on Brandel’s development at guard as he enters his fourth NFL season. I lean Brandel and Risner earn the two spots, but they’re for the taking.

Third wide receiver: Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell

The Minnesota Vikings lost receiver KJ Osborn to the New England Patriots, leaving a void at their third wide receiver spot. Nailor has had a difficult time staying healthy, playing 21 games in two years, but has shown very brief flashes. Powell is more seasoned, having played five seasons with 76 career catches for 678 yards. Either are viable options, but they need to figure out who’s going to be the primary option in 11 personnel.

Rookie To Watch: Dallas Turner

Is it weird that I am more excited for Turner than McCarthy, especially in the short term? I can’t believe he fell out of the top-15 and wasn’t the first EDGE taken off the board. He joins a fresh, but solid linebacker room with Andrew Greenard, Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel. Turner’s explosive, incredibly athletic and has a very high motor off the EDGE. I have a feeling he’s going to have a long NFL career terrorizing quarterbacks and I’m excited to see how Brian Flores utilizes him as a rookie. What a pick.

Ready To Break Out: Jaquelin Roy, DT

Minnesota isn’t strong on the interior line, but 2023 fifth-round pick Jacquelin Roy may pop. He did multiple times in very small pockets last year, tallying just eight tackles (one for loss). But I think he will get more run alongside Harrison Phillips as a 3-tech defensive lineman this year.

Fantasy Sleeper: Sam Darnold

I’m not going to sit on my high horse and say that Darnold’s going to blow fantasy owners away. But I also won’t say that 33 quarterbacks should be ranked ahead of him, per Fantasy Pros. With Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, Jordan Addison and Aaron Jones at his disposal, Darnold–with good coaching–is capable of being a top-20 fantasy quarterback. He may not be rosterable right away but he can be a functional QB2 in deeper formats.

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