The Vikings’ preseason started well with a win over the Las Vegas Raidersand ended a 10-game losing streak. More important than the result were some encouraging performances by the Vikings’ rookies and young players.
4 things to watch out for in the Vikings’ 2nd preseason game
Next up are the Cleveland Browns, led by former Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski. Minnesota heads to Cleveland for a joint practice before Saturday’s preseason game. The second of three preseason games will be against a strong Browns team, which will be a physical challenge. As preseason heats up, here are my four things to look for in the Vikings’ second preseason game.
1. Playing time for beginners
During the first two years of O’Connell’s tenure as Vikings HC, the regulars were nowhere near the starters for preseason games. That changed somewhat with the first game of this year. Some big names like Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Harrison Smith were left out, but most of the first-team players got to play.
Will that continue in the next two games? That’s something to keep an eye on, as the Vikings have had a slow start to the season in O’Connell’s first two seasons. We won’t see much of the first team in the upcoming preseason games, but it will be interesting to see who is on the field and if this is a plan to make the Vikings sharper early in the season. Will Sam Darnold be kept completely out of the firing line following the news of JJ McCarthy’s injury?
2. Bo Richter-like performance from substitutes
One of the standout players in the Raiders game was undrafted rookie edge rusher Bo Richter. Similar to last year’s Andre Carter (Army), Richter is a promising prospect from an Armed Forces program. Last year, Carter made the final roster and many expected Richter to do the same. After 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a quarterback hit and a sack in his debut, he seems to be in a great position to do just that.
Can Richter back up his impressive debut in purple with another good performance? That would give him a good chance of making the roster. Many other players on the fringes of the roster are hoping to make a similar impression in Cleveland. On defense in particular, there are a number of undrafted rookies vying to make an impact. Gabriel Murphy, Dallas Gant and Dwight McGlothern are three to keep an eye on.
3. Levi Drake Rodriguez
Not mentioned above, but because he deserves his own section, is Levi Drake Rodriguez. The Vikings’ IDL seems to be a problem once again, as not much has been added to the group to suggest optimism about improvement. Rodriguez has been touted as a guy who could be a difference-maker. The Vikings’ seventh-round pick showcased his skills in the first preseason game with an impressive performance.
The Vikings desperately need a disruptive force to play alongside the solid Harrison Phillips. Rodriguez’s early signs were promising, recording a sack and a tackle for loss. His job now is to continue to impress and compete for playing time in the regular season.
4. The battle for the wide receiver
The battle for the WR position in Minnesota is two-part. It’s about capturing the WR3 position, and then it’s about battling for the remaining roster spots. Jalen Nailor has always been my favorite for the WR3 position as long as he stays healthy. He’s shown his ability in training camp and the first preseason. The only thing holding him back now is another injury.
I expect the Vikings have two more receivers on their roster and have Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield slated for those positions, but a 100-yard game by Trishton Jackson with four catches and a touchdown put him firmly in the standings. Sherfield caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, while Powell only played eight snaps and never caught a pass. Powell is currently lagging behind, but with two preseason games left, there’s plenty of time for this battle to heat up.
