Analyzing which Vikings are trending up and down at training camp
The 2023 edition of Vikings training camp is two weeks old already with the first preseason game of the year a little over 24 hours away, that's enough time to have early takeaways on whose stock has risen the most and whose has fallen.
"I think the stock is way up on Jordan Addison," says Purple Insider's Matthew Coller. "His first impression could not have gone a whole lot better after he started with a speeding incident. He's has shown a lot of talent early on. A lot of highlight reel catches. He seems to be open all the time. Now that doesn't always equal a huge season because there's a lot to go along with that, but there's understanding the offense, being in the right places and then there's just opportunity when you're playing alongside Justin Jefferson."
Addison looks to fit into a talented receiving core alongside all-universe receiver Justin Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Just where he fits will be the interesting aspect to watch throughout the preseason. Is he battling with KJ Osborn for WR2 reps or is he firmly in the WR3 camp?
"The early returns have been extremely good," Coller continued. "Kevin O'Connell even mentioned how happy he was with his blocking. I guess when you're getting that much in the weeds you really like the way the guys is going."
Vikings fans will get their first in-game look at the first-round receiver in Thursday's preseason game in Seattle.
"He is going to get some action in the preseason game which should be pretty interesting to see," said Coller. "How much is it? Is it one series? Is he playing quite a bit? That should tell us where they think he is because Kevin O'Connell does not play his starters all that often so the more you play the more they think you need to play, is a way to look at it. That will be something that we track pretty closely."
What about rising stocks on the heavily changed defensive side of the ball?
"I would also say the stock is way up on Brian Flores, their new defensive coordinator," Coller said. "The defense has been wreaking havoc on a daily basis. There's a lot of energy from the players about this defense. It's just way different than what it was last year when the Vikings struggled so much. There's constant blitzing. Constant pressure. A level of creativity with the player usage."
Coller has noted several times in nightly live streams on the Purple Insider YouTube channel the intensity with which the defense is taking reps in training camp and the frustration from Kirk Cousins and the offense when getting beat by the defense.
"A guy like Josh Metellus, another player whose stock is way up, is getting opportunities, situationally," said Coller. "I don't know how many of these guys we'll see during the preseason but I think it's actually going to be a lot more than it was last year. Because last year most of the roster was set and it was just the down-the-depth-chart guys that were playing. This year there are a lot of position battles to be resolved. Cornerback, linebacker you could certainly make an argument that Ivan Pace and Brian Asamoah are battling that out. Depth wide receiver. So, there's a lot to look to for guys with the arrow up."
So then, what about guys with stocks trending down?
"As far as guys with the arrow down, I would say Brian Asamoah losing some time with the first team to Ivan Pace Jr.," Coller said.
Pace Jr. joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent from the University of Cincinnati, albeit a very highly touted undrafted free agent. He was taking a majority of Monday's first team reps, and was again working in with the first team during Tuesday's night practice.
Asamoah flashed in brief appearances last season and was expected to fill the shoes of the departing Eric Kendricks, but Pace might be passing him on the depth chart.
"There's still some questions about the interior offensive line," continued Coller. "I can't say in training camp you can really see enough from the sidelines. where I'm watching, to be sure how an offensive guard is playing but how much action the offensive line gets will be something to watch. I also think them bringing in Dalton Risner for a visit was maybe a sign they're looking for a little more competition on that offensive line."
Ultimately, the Vikings didn't sign Risner and instead signed tackles Christian DiLauro and Jarrid Williams.
Anyone else with an arrow going south?
"There's not that many players that you could definitively say that the arrow is down. A guy like Lewis Cine, we're going to be watching quite a bit once again to see how much action he gets in preseason," said Coller.
"What does he look like? Because he's still definitively behind Cam Bynum and behind Josh Metellus for having a role on this defense. Also, Andrew Booth Jr. was injured, Kene Nwangwu has been beat up so there's going to be an opportunity for the other running backs to show up and show what they can do in the preseason game as well."
Vikings fans can start to see 2023 take shape Thursday in Seattle with a late 9 p.m. kickoff.
