Kevin O'Connell: Don't Read Into Vikings' Unofficial Depth Chart

The Vikings released their first unofficial depth chart of the 2023 season on Monday. According to head coach Kevin O'Connell, it should be taken with a grain of salt.

"While we’re very much right in the meat of the competition phase of training camp, I would not over-evaluate any one particular area," O'Connell said. "We have a lot of jobs guys are still fighting for. We're going to allow not only our practices, but joint practices and preseason games to play out before we make any final determinations."

The depth chart, which was released ahead of the team's preseason opener on Thursday night in Seattle, is largely inconsistent with what we've seen at training camp practices. For example, rookie cornerback Mekhi Blackmon — who has been working with the starters for a full week now — is still listed behind Joejuan Williams and Andrew Booth Jr. in the second tier at the position. Williams was bypassed by Blackmon after the first few practices and Booth hasn't taken a single snap with the first-team defense all camp. Rookie LB Ivan Pace Jr. and WR Brandon Powell also seem to be lower than they should be.

At running back, Kene Nwangwu is listed as second on the depth chart despite missing the last several practices.

"That would be one position where that backup spot is really, fully, in the competition," O'Connell said. "Because of Kene getting a little temporary setback, you know, we didn’t want to make any — I can tell you, that sheet of paper, we are not making any decisions at this point and really want to see those guys get a full body of work before we determine overall what that position looks like."

O'Connell went on to praise second-year running back Ty Chandler, while adding that he's hoping to see him become more consistent with his pass-protection responsibilities.

Essentially, the message from O'Connell is that although this unofficial depth chart is something they were required to put out, it means very little at this point. Obviously, the general shape of the depth chart is accurate, but reading into minor differences in the pecking order just isn't worth it.

There are still three weeks, three preseason games, and four practices between now and roster cutdown day on August 29th. That's plenty of time for the team's various position battles to sort themselves out.

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