Vikings Training Camp Recap, Day 1: Depth Chart Notes and Early Standouts
The Vikings' 2023 training camp began in earnest on Wednesday afternoon with the first day of practice. Under the blistering sun at TCO Performance Center, in 90-degree conditions that T.J. Hockenson described as "hot as s***," nearly all of the team's 90-man roster took a big step towards the regular season opener, which looms in 46 days.
Here's what we learned from Day 1 of this year's Vikings camp.
Absences
There was no sight of Danielle Hunter, who reported to camp on Tuesday but isn't expected to practice until his contract situation is resolved. Other than that, the only players not practicing in full were the three who are currently dealing with injuries: RT Brian O'Neill, OLB Andre Carter II, and OL Chris Reed.
No new injuries were sustained during practice. Pads don't come on until Monday.
Depth chart notes
On the first day, the most interesting information is always who's getting the reps on which units.
In the starting offense, Jalen Nailor was out there over rookie Jordan Addison as the third wide receiver and Oli Udoh filled in for O'Neill at right tackle. Everyone else is obvious: Alexander Mattison, T.J. Hockenson, Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, and Ed Ingram. C.J. Ham also rotated in.
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.
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