5 things that stood out in the Vikings’ preseason win over the Browns

Lewis Cine put himself back in the team spotlight with his brilliant performance in the Vikings’ 27-10 win over the Browns in preseason action on Saturday in Cleveland. Trishton Jackson, Dwight McGlothern, Bo Richter and Jaren Hall also stood out. Let’s dive into the details and try to figure out what that could mean for all the hopefuls on the 53-man roster.

The undrafted cornerback continues to impress and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster. It might even be a surprise if he doesn’t make significant appearances as a rookie this season. The 22-year-old, who played at LSU and Arkansas, had one tackle, one pass defensed and one interception, which he returned 91 yards to set up a Vikings touchdown.

Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell are considered the top four wide receivers in the rankings, leaving players like Trishton Jackson, Trent Sherfield, Jeshaun Jones and Malik Knowles to fight for the WR5 job.

Jackson led Minnesota on Saturday with three catches for 39 yards and a thrilling touchdown in the first quarter.

Although Jackson, Jones and Knowles all scored touchdowns against the Browns, Jackson could pull ahead of the rest in the fight for a spot on the roster.

Minnesota’s 2022 first-round pick may not make the 53-man roster, but he started at safety, played the entire game and took the opportunity to flash the potential the Vikings saw in him after he graduated from Georgia.

Cine intercepted a deflected pass, made 11 tackles, blitzed for a sack and landed a huge blow that ripped the helmet off Browns quarterback Tyler Huntley’s head.

Is it too little, too late? That could be. The Vikings have decided to take the four best safeties on the roster – Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson – out of the game.

Sam Darnold is the starting quarterback. Nick Mullens is likely the backup quarterback, leaving Jaren Hall and newcomer Matt Corral to compete for the third quarterback job. While Corral played only in garbage time – he was signed 24 hours before the game – Hall performed well. His two best passes resulted in touchdowns, one a lob into the corner of the end zone to Knowles and the other over the head of a Browns defender into the hands of Jones, who scored a 71-yard touchdown.

Two preseason games and three sacks for the undrafted rookie linebacker out of Air Force. Richter had two sacks against the Raiders last week and found his way to the quarterback for a sack and another QB hit against Cleveland.

The Vikings may have a difficult decision to make regarding Judge. If they try to secretly sign him to the practice squad, they risk losing him to waivers. If they sign him to the 53-man roster, he is expected to play some games as a rookie.