[2024] Cake Eaters: An Offseason With the Minnesota Vikings (Training Camp Overview)

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In seasons past, we've seen some brief "series" following the Minnesota Vikings unheralded camp players in the "documentary" FAN or MANkato: Offseason with the Minnesota Vikings. The first season saw Oswaldo Urrutia make the team as a UDFA WR out of Alabama, and the 2nd season in 2023 saw Baylor UDFA Edge Ashaad Anderson register some preseason action, making the team and eventually getting a sack against the Washington Commanders in the regular season.

This year, we expand to a new "series", which we begin today with the Minnesota Vikings kicking off training camp activities. This year, the Vikings move training camp from Mankato, not to their permanent facility in Eagan, but to the cake-eating suburb of Edina. 

CAKE EATERS of EDINA

WHICH VIKINGS CAN HAVE THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO?

 

The Vikings open training camp with 85 rostered players, a few guys in the mix to fill to 90, but with sessions already starting, we'll look at an overview of the Vikings positions. 

Quarterbacks

This years' QB room is deeper than ever, but not necessarily much better beyond the surface level.

Christian Sinnock returns for year 3 with 33 career starts under his belt, having gone 14-19 in his young career, and entering year 3 of 5 on his initial FA contract he signed during the formation of the League. He is undoubtedly the long-term starter going forward. Sinnock has 8,830 career passing yards and 41 TDs to his name, and has shown tremendous growth since he first joined the League.

Behind Sinnock, though, is a mess of QBs looking to prove something.

Austin Bishop is the eldest of the QBs looking to make the team as a backup, originally joining the Vikings as a UDFA out of Wisconsin in 2022. Bishop's claim to fame is his 5k passing yard season at UW in 2021, and was notably college roommates with Vikings 2022 1st Round selection Alex Williams III. Bishop actually started a game at the end of 2022, and came in during relief for a game in 2023. In his 2 appearances, he has 222 career passing yards, but with no TDs and 3 INTs thrown. 

Derrick Marshall was selected by the Vikings out of Penn State in 2023's 7th Round, and he was on the Vikings 55-man roster for the duration of his rookie year. For a time, he was the team's QB2, but once the Vikings processed some players off their roster mid-season, he was squarely QB3 following a PS elevation of Bishop. Marshall was highly accurate at Penn State, but has gotten little opportunity in his 1 season out of college.

Brandon Smith was a decent college QB at Kansas State, and got drafted by the New York Jets in 2023's 4th round. He appears to be the most well-rounded of the competitors, but is also the most battle tested, and during his rookie year with the Jets, he didn't look good at all to a new Jets front office that sent him packing. Still, Smith was the first free agent League-wide to agree to terms this offseason, hoping to compete for a spot to hold Sinnock's clipboard.

And then there's uber-smart Dylan Gomes, the Vikings own 4th round pick, made this year out of Ohio State. Gomes didn't have a wowing collegiate career, but he's a safe, efficiency-oriented QB, and that appears to be something the Vikings value while Sinnock is still on a cheap contract. 

TRAINING CAMP DEPTH CHART

Running Backs

Minnesota has employed 2-back sets throughout their history, but has been phasing them out as the rest of their roster has come along, and it seems to be more of a RBBC now than seeing multiple backs in the backfield at once. We've seen the departures of guys like Robert Thomas and Tanner Lake, who saw opportunities as "fullbacks" and on special teams, with those roster spots now being used to flesh out depth at other, more important roles.

Aldrick Ynoa returns as the Vikings likely lead back, and the 2nd year man out of Tennessee made a splash once the season got rolling, with 1,465 all purpose yards on offense as a rookie, including the teams' first 1k rushing season. 

Yogi Oladipo was a big home run swing during the 2nd round of the 2024 Draft this year, a raw specimen with an extremely high ceiling. Whether that home run swing ends up in clearing the outfield fence, or lands in a mitt in the warning track, will be found out as the coming seasons go by. 

Milton Evans was a FA-signee this year by way of the Los Angeles Chargers. He was RB1 in LA, but struggled to move the ball effectively under a front office that was practically non-existent from the moment the opening whistle blew for the season. Evans is looking for a chance at rebirth, and signed a team-friendly deal looking to prove himself and get one more decent contract. 

Bene' Humber was a fan favorite at Kansas, especially in the inaugural 2021 CFB season, but went undrafted and (like many KU players of past) landed an offseason deal with the Vikings. He was good enough to have an on again, off again relationship with the teams' practice squad, and now goes into Year 2 trying to take Robert Thomas' vacated depth RB/ST role.

Marcus DeShields was the "big man on campus" at BYU last year as the team struggled through its first Big 12 season. He was a team leader, both statistically and in the locker room, but wasn't a great draft prospect, and found himself searching for a UDFA deal. He's got a mountain to climb in order to make the Vikings.

TRAINING CAMP DEPTH CHART

Fullbacks

The Vikings do not employ a traditional fullback, but look for them to use a H-back or 2nd RB at the FB position should the situation call for one.

Receivers

There have been a few dominant WRs to come through the Vikings locker room, including Mathew Madden, Tracey Borders, and Paul Gurule. But the Vikings had to move on from those vets in order to create the window they should be entering with Christian Sinnock at QB.

Alex Williams III was the teams' first ever draft choice, moving up with Seattle during the inaugural draft in order to land the big time Wisconsin WR. He's clearly been being groomed to be the WR1, and this year he enters the season as the main WR option.

Behind him, Adrian Daniels returns after coming over in the Gurule-Pittsburgh trade. Allen Bagley III also has spent time in Minnesota, on the Vikings PS.

The new faces in the WR room include FA WR Joseph Jones, who had a solid year with the Jets; Trenton Adam, a former Lions 3rd round pick out of Kansas with a high ceiling but had limited snaps during his rookie year in Detroit; one-time Panther Keenan Briscoe; ex-Texas State standout Cassanova Perrizo, who had big numbers stats when catching passes from Justin DeShields; and 3rd Round rookie out of Bowling Green Jordan Suter.

TRAINING CAMP DEPTH CHART

Tight Ends

The past few TE corps have been purged from the roster, with just one returning TE from a Vikings active roster on this years' training camp opening day roster.

Marquis Rudolph was a waiver claim by the Vikings off of the Browns during cutdowns last year, and he immediately came in and won the TE2 role, eventually finding himself as a short-term starter before slipping back to TE2 at season's end. He posted 312 receiving yards on 37 receptions last year.

Pat Mathieu actually was on the Vikings 2022 offseason roster, a UDFA out of Kent State. He eventually lost his spot to D.J. Neverauskas, who eventually started most of the year once John Hendrickson had been traded to Tennessee. Mathieu has bounced around college coaching jobs the last couple years, being a GA at D2 Southwest Minnesota State during his "rookie" NFL season and then spending last year as a GA at his alma mater Kent State. He returns to the Vikings offseason roster this year hoping to land a spot on either the active roster or the practice squad, clinging to a professional football dream.

Justin Hand ended up undrafted this year out of Houston, where he had a successful season but didn't measure up compared to other prospects. He is the main competition for Mathieu, and already saw Connor Pence be released from the team due to having "depth" at the position. Hand could have (limited) potential out of the slot as well.

And last, but far from least, is the Vikings big-name offensive skill addition this year. Michael Vega. Vega, one of the elite pro tight ends to date, was a Vikings dispersal FA target back in 2022, but ultimately signed with the loaded up Arizona Cardinals who were flush with cash. Vega posted big stats in the desert, but saw lacking success/fading front offices end his time there, and signed with the Vikings on a premium FA deal that links him to Minnesota for the next two years.

TRAINING CAMP DEPTH CHART

Offensive Line

The Vikings have been retooling their OL since their inception, flipping out some older OGs and OTs to give younger players opportunities. They've gone from low ceiling, "high" floor UDFAs like Brandon Gwynn and Eldridge Staggers seeing playing time in 2022, to being big FA spenders entering 2024, and OL might be their deepest (but young) position group. 

Returning Vikings include Center Darren Willard, who has started all 34 Vikings games, and Center Dustin Woodson-Luster, who came to Minnesota via trade from Pittsburgh and saw time at guard as well as center throughout 2023; guards Alec Cozens (who also came over from Pittsburgh) and Jared Simon (a 2023 UDFA out of Bowling Green who excelled against other backups while playing LT during the preseason); and tackles Charles Seay (the veteran left tackle), Kenneth Beguhl (Seay's understudy), and Elijah Greene (a 2023 6th Rounder out of Bowling Green). 

In post-draft FA, the Vikings added quite a few names to the OL group, including veterans Gustavo Smith (2023 UDFA out of Miami[FL]), Ryan Sharpe (a 2022 Bears draftee), Cesar Barnes (previously a Vikings 2023 draftee who didn't make the club during his rookie year), and Scott Dozier (who has bounced from the Bears to the Packers to now the Vikings in the span of ~1 year). They also landed quite a few UDFAs, including guards Trevon Boozer (Georgia State) and Brian Lindsey (Cal), and OT Beau Karns (Vanderbilt).

But where the money talks, the Vikings listened, making big pre-draft signings at OT and OG. Bidding wars with the 49ers saw them miss out on OG Joseph Bordewyk, but convinced his Niners teammate Herman Knott to come command the Vikings RT position, with a sweet 4-year deal that will pay him 9.75M in 2024. At guard, the Vikings signed Kyle Schneider (3 years, 8.1 in 2024) and Mark Killough (4 years, 6.25).

TRAINING CAMP DEPTH CHART

Defensive Line

Unlike the Vikings offensive trenches, where there's a lot of change with the starting unit, the Vikings defensive front returns all 4 starters. Paul Munford is the wily pass rushing vet (with 10.0 sacks before getting injured), Neil Henry is the standout DT1 of the unit (12 TFL and 4.0 sacks), Marcus Sirles had a more-than-solid rookie season (7.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks), and then Kyle Wilson was a little underwhelming after being a 2nd round pick a year ago (10 TFL, 3.0 sacks).

The Vikings also return depth at DE, despite Trea Taumpeneaupeauaeiousometimesy getting shipped off along with Mitch Rivers; DeAndre Carle was claimed from the Carolina Panthers, and becomes the likely choice to sub in for the starting bookend DEs. 

The Vikings made sure to backfill the DL with FA depth, signing Pittsburgh's Riboberto Pascual to be the veteran DT reserve. They drafted Tennessee's Jason Marte during round 3, and added more youth in UDFA, with "vets" Liam Finney (Jets 2023 draftee from Texas Tech), Lorenzo Reed (Troy), and Frank Peterson (Hawai'i). At DE, they made splashes, including drafting TCU's 1-year standout Fish Vander Laan in Round 7, while signing guys like Dallas Dobbs (Texas/Vikings 2022 offseason member), Tommy Russell ('24 UDFA from UCLA), Jordan Yancy ('24 UDFA from Georgia), and traded a future 6th that brought back a CB and Kyle Reavis ('24, Virginia Tech, signed with Jets for rookie OTAs).   

TRAINING CAMP DEPTH CHART

Linebackers

The Vikings have notably ran a 4-2-5 base for the better part of the last two seasons, but now with some new League rule changes, it could be possible for them to really excel in such a front. However, still look for them to employ a 4-3 front at times, especially since they've been active in the LB dept. this offseason.

Minnesota's returning LB starter is Jeffrey Kersting, who has occupied their ROLB role for all 34 games. His backup currently likely remains Thomas Hamilton.

They've cycled through ILBs to date, going from Kevin Vangrinsven in early 2022 to Michael Naccarato to close that year, and then Narrinder Beckmann to start the beginning of last year before he was displaced by rookie Ryan Hicks. Hicks has been sent off to Detroit, but the Vikings received back vet Gordon Wilburn, who should really be a playmaker this year and give the Vikings the idea of what a true middle backer can be. The Vikings return Anthony Williams ('22 UDFA who has made the team both seasons), Austin Armstead ('23 UDFA out of Penn State who was on the PS last year), and signed FA Neal Swoope, who has spent time with Buffalo after Minnesota failed to sign him during 2022 priority UDFA. They made a surprising but flashy move to draft another uber-smart Ohio State signal caller, taking Tyler Bradley in the 3rd Round of this past draft.

At LOLB, the Vikings have cycled through quite a few guys, including James Bates (who?), used SS Christopher Chapman at OLB for a time, and then settled on Wisconsin-grad Peter Kiefer to close last year. Kiefer left the Vikings with an expiring contract, and the Vikings made moves to address the role.

First, the Vikings traded for Buccaneers buried-backer J.C. Curry, who has a high ceiling but has struggled to get on the field. Then, with their first pick of the 2024 Draft, in the 2nd Round, they selected Rasheed Downs, an underutilized but versatile Notre Dame LB. Post-draft, they signed Bears' castoff Jack Jackson, former Broncos' draftee Michael Kennedy, and Tulane EDGE DeAndre Wisdom. 2023 Mr. Mankato winner Ashaad Anderson temporarily returns to being an "OLB" for the time being, though its a lot more likely he'd make the team at his "unnatural" DE spot. 

TRAINING CAMP DEPTH CHART

Defensive Backs

When I was a senior year in high school, we had gone to 8-player football due to low numbers, so I specifically remember breaking down into DPos with our coach yelling "DL with coach, D-bags with me." So DBs are always mentally referred to as DBags by me for the rest of time.

Fortunately for the Vikings, their DB room appears to be full of non-Dbags, as they love to share the love with the offense and pick the other teams' passes off.

ON OPENING DAY OF TRAINING CAMP, the Vikings announce the signing of Pittsburgh Steelers' legend Richard Lupo, the now-eldest Viking on the team. He comes to bring mentorship to the whole squad, and let Marcos Maldonado get into some better matchups as CB2. (The Vikings released Charles Kling, 2023 Pro Bowler, in a corresponding move.)

Minnesota was active all offseason, keeping Paul Wade as an option and bringing back Brogan Teague, who worked his way into a special teams role last year, but adding former Buccaneer Adam Ijalana in a trade, FA slotback Barry Taylor by way of the Eagles, and hammered post-draft corners hard, bringing in 2023 Commanders pick Anthony Fulmer, 2023 UDFA Jemile Hekker, and in the same trade with the Jets that brought in Kyle Reavis, UDFA Bryan Sinclair. 

At safety, the Vikings were also active, despite returning FS Wade Hires and reserve FS/DB Marcell Cain, and 2023 3rd Rounder SS Alfredo Nix-Jones. They added Auden Busenitz to bolster the FS group during the preseason, and at SS acquired Daniel Ortiz in the Gordon Wilburn trade with Detroit, as well as signing ex-Boise State Bronco Greg Brown, who has carved himself out a nice arena league career with the Iowa Barnstormers. 

TRAINING CAMP DEPTH CHART

Special Teams

Last year, Minnesota drafted rookie kicker Jordan Tripucka out of Virginia Tech in R7, to replace 2022 UDFA Robin Reynolds, who replaced a UDFA kicker from 2022's preseason who replaced 2 pool player kickers the Vikings initially rostered. And then Tripucka got the yips early, struggling through 2 games. The Vikings turned to street FA K Antonio Frank, who ultimately kicked his way into a Pro Bowl season (and then got in a contract dispute, the Vikings turned back to Tripucka, Frank finally came to terms, and then attended the Pro Bowl as a Viking). With the very storied history of kickers in Minnesota, perhaps 2024 will be a chapter of consistency.

Frank returns as the incumbent kicker, with no ideas of losing the spot after signing a multi-year deal including GTD money. However, the Vikings did make an attempt to sign Texas Tech strong legged UDFA Luis Terdoslavich, and when he signed with Big Blue in New York, instead signed South Carolina's Mike Tsao. It's not likely that Tsao beats out Frank, since his career long in his 1 year he got to kick in college was under 50, and he doesn't have the strongest leg, but boy is he accurate.

At punter, Anthony Upton returns by default, since the Vikings couldn't find a vet OR UDFA to challenge him. Upton struggled mightily, but perhaps with a year under his belt he has improved enough.

TRAINING CAMP DEPTH CHART