2023 Vikings Training Camp

Is Alexander Mattison the undisputed three-down back?
There have been spurts throughout Mattison’s four-year career as Cook’s backup in which he was called upon to carry the entire load of carries/catches/blocks as a three-down back and he largely succeeded. Is that how they view him going into 2023? The former Boise State star is known as a LeRoy Hoard type, slamming and carrying defenders to gain his yardage rather than escaping them with sheer quickness and speed.

Will that translate well enough for him to get 50 snaps per game while the other running backs watch from the sideline, as was the case during the Cook era? Or do the Vikings view him as the lead runner in a true rotation in which they will mix in other skillsets depending on the situation and opponent? Practice reps might not tell the entire story but we can get a sense for which other RBs are making themselves heard over the summer months. If it’s all Mattison all the time, then he’s a true Cook replacement. If we see lots of Chandler and Nwangwu, then the Vikings might have themselves a versatile backfield.

Can Ty Chandler build on what he started in preseason last year?
The fifth-round pick from North Carolina only carried the ball 15 times in preseason last year but he made a heck of an impression, gaining 113 yards behind four 10-plus yard carries. His 4.38 40-yard dash speed and quickness were on display in August but he barely saw the football during the regular season, appearing in only three games and mostly on special teams. With a year in Kevin O’Connell’s scheme, another big camp and preseason could put Chandler in the discussion as a rotational back. In order to get his hands on some regular season carries, however, he will need to outplay Kene Nwangwu…

Will Kene Nwangwu’s kick returning translate to the backfield?
Over the first two years of his career, Nwangwu has become one of the best kick returners in the NFL, bringing three to the house already in his young career. Yet, like Cordarrelle Patterson before him, that explosiveness hasn’t been enough to convince the coaching staff to get him in the offensive mix. This year could be his shot. The former track star has a case for being one of the fastest players in the entire NFL, which should interest O’Connell in finding ways to put the ball in his hands. However, he will need to be trusted in all situations before that can happen. Can he pass block? Catch passes out of the backfield? Hit the right holes? Speed doesn’t mean much toward winning a regular role if the details aren’t there. That will make all the difference because his raw talent is through the roof.

Can DeWayne McBride make a push for playing time?
As of July 2023, McBride’s college highlight reel no longer matters. Now he has to show that he can break tackles like a madman against NFL competition. Unlike the other two runners, he isn’t just fighting for a spot in the rotation, he’s fighting for a spot in general. As a seventh-rounder, a position on the 53 is far from guaranteed. He will need to pick up enough of the offense to be trusted right away and show in preseason games that an increase in competition won’t be too much for his unorthodox running style.

Will the Vikings need to bring anyone else into camp?
There is a chance that the Vikings don’t love what they see from the running back group and consider looking elsewhere. Beyond the obvious free agents like Ezekiel Elliott and Kareem Hunt, there are a number of other proven players available including Leonard Fournette, Marlon Mack, Kenyan Drake and former Ram Malcolm Brown. Judging by the fact they didn’t bring anyone else in, the Vikings seem comfortable with letting the unproven players battle it out. Will they still be OK with that a few weeks into camp? We’ll see.

The starting defense, interestingly, looked like this:

OLBs/D-line: Marcus Davenport, Harrison Phillips, Khyiris Tonga, D.J. Wonnum

LBs: Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah

Secondary: Akayleb Evans, Byron Murphy Jr., Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Joejuan Williams

That's Murphy in the slot. The most notable name there is Williams, a former Patriots second-round pick who was signed as a free agent this offseason. He has 552 career defensive snaps under his belt, which is easily second-most in Minnesota's CB room behind Murphy. Williams has remarkable size and length at 6'3", 212 pounds.

In a different grouping, Williams left the field, Murphy moved outside, and Dean Lowry rotated into a five-man front. Josh Metellus also had plenty of reps with the starters.

I didn't catch the entire second-team offense, but it had Nick Mullens at quarterback and quite a few reps for Kene Nwangwu at running back. Addison, Josh Oliver, Trishton Jackson, and Jalen Reagor were among the pass-catchers, with guys like Blake Brandel, Austin Schlottmann, and Vederian Lowe on the O-line.

This was the second-team defense to begin 7 on 7s:

OLBs/D-line: Patrick Jones II, Jonathan Bullard, Jaquelin Roy, Luiji Vilain

LBs: Troy Dye, Ivan Pace Jr.

Secondary: Mekhi Blackmon, Jaylin Williams, Josh Metellus, Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth Jr.

Pace and Williams are undrafted rookies, so it's notable to see them already getting run with the twos. You probably now about Pace by now, but keep an eye on Williams, who is an undersized, speedy slot corner out of Indiana. Veteran Troy Reeder also rotated in at linebacker.

It'll be interesting to see how the depth chart changes over the course of camp.

Highlights from Day 1

Nailor was the biggest winner of OTAs/minicamp, in my eyes, and he continued to stand out on the first day of camp. He had at least three catches during 7s (there was no 11-on-11 action today) and continues to get open.

Cousins was sharp. He had several great throws over the middle of the field to Osborn, Addison, and Hockenson. The Addison connection was a great leaning catch from the rookie, and Hockenson made a nice play to come down with a contested ball that was initially bobbled.

The two other quarterbacks also had their moments. Mullens hit Trishton Jackson on a deep ball, which he came down with despite tight coverage from Booth. Rookie Jaren Hall threw a dime down the left sideline to former XFL star Lucky Jackson, but Hall later sailed a pass over the head of Thayer Thomas. Those two QBs will get plenty of reps in the preseason.

Bynum, who is still projected to retain his starting job at safety, had a diving pass breakup to force a rare Cousins incompletion.