The 7 Starter Jobs Up for Grabs at Vikings Training Camp

Minnesota Vikings training camp kicks off on Sunday when rookies report to Eagan.

The 7 Starter Jobs Up for Grabs at Vikings Training Camp

The NFL’s regular season is 54 days away.

Plenty of roster battles lie ahead to determine the team’s Week 1 depth chart. These are the Vikings training camp battles for starting jobs, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important battle).

7. TE1

The Contenders:
(if T.J. Hockenson misses the start of the season)
Robert Tonyan
Josh Oliver
Johnny Mundt

Tonyan entered the mix in June — and it’s been all positive since. Most believe T.J. Hockenson will miss the first few (several?) games in 2024, and with a new quarterback under center, that man will want a trustworthy TE target in the middle of the field.

Heading into training camp, Tonyan, Oliver, and Mundt have a reasonable case for the assignment. But Tonyan’s minicamp might’ve been too strong to topple. Tonyan also has the most experience.

Predicted Starter: Robert Tonyan

6. OLB2

The Contenders:
Dallas Turner
Andrew Van Ginkel

Jonathan Greenard will own OLB1 duties — for curious minds.

OLB2 may be quasi-irrelevant because Brian Flores will assuredly use Turner and Van Ginkel in 2024. However, at the top of the depth chart, it is unclear which man will take the first defensive snap at the New York Giants in Week 1.

Thankfully, rookie EDGE rushers are typically more game-ready than quarterbacks, for example.

Predicted Starter: Dallas Turner

5. DT

The Contenders:
Jerry Tillery
Jonathan Bullard
Jonah Williams
James Lynch
Jaquelin Roy
Levi Drake Rodriguez

Harrison Phillips is the unabashed starting nose tackle, so this battle is for the spot next to him.

A scenario all too familiar to the last 10+ Vikings defenses, Minnesota is comfortable embarking on a season with a mid-tier three-technique defensive tackle. The franchise allegedly pushed for Christian Wilkins during free agency, but he was too expensive, ending up in Las Vegas on a deal worth $110 million over four years.

So, Minnesota gets Tillery, Bullard, Williams, Lynch, and Roy. Somewhat quietly, Tillery delivered a decent season in 2023, notching a commendable 67.7 Pro Football Focus grade. Perhaps his former 1st-Round potential can be uplifted by Brian Flores.

Rookie Levi Drake Rodriquez could be a wildcard at this spot.

Predicted Starter: Jerry Tillery

4. OGs

The Contenders:
Dalton Risner
Blake Brandel
Ed Ingram

Risner returned to the Vikings in May, a move universally adored by the team’s fans. He conducted a wonderful first act in Minneapolis last year, and after about four months of the masses wondering, “Will they re-sign Risner?” he’s back for a sequel.

However, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips spoke highly of Blake Brandel in the spring, who was theorized as Risner’s replacement as of late. “I’m really excited about Blake. I feel like he gets bigger every time I see him. He’s just a massive man on the inside. But he’s in great shape, he’s always been very coachable,” Phillips told reporters last week at organized team activities (OTAs) in May.

“You talk about technique, fundamentals, footwork, hand placement, all the things that are critical for the O-line — one false step for an O-lineman could be a catastrophe — it’s been very encouraging so far with him stepping into that starting spot on the left.”

Phillips continued, “I think it’ll only grow, the more experience, the more reps he gets. He’s been a guy that, any time he’s been put in a game at several positions, has come through for us. We haven’t forgotten that. I think he’s earned this opportunity.”

Then, head coach Kevin O’Connell said on the Rich Eisen Show in June, “We bring back Dalton Risner, who’s gonna compete like crazy at the guard spot with both Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel.”

It’s a threeway battle for two roster spots.

Predicted Starter(s): Blake Brandel (LG) | Ed Ingram (RG)

3. WR3

The Contenders:
Brandon Powell
Jalen Nailor
Brandon Sherfield

Unless general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has grand plans of signing Michael Thomas or Hunter Renfrow, the WR3 market has all but dissipated — meaning Powell, Nailor, or possibly Sherfield will earn WR3 duties for 2024.

None of the three has ever created a marvelous standalone season, so Vikings fans will hope for the best, and that competition will generate the most qualified WR3.

Minnesota also employs eight more receivers after Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Powell, Nailor, and Sherfield. Perhaps one unsung, undrafted candidate could emerge.

Predicted Starter: Brandon Powell

2. CB2

The Contenders:
Shaquill Griffin
Akayleb Evans
Andrew Booth
Mekhi Blackmon

Nobody at all knows for sure which man will win the “other” cornerback job next to Byron Murphy. The list is large.

But this is a good problem. Minnesota employs about 4-5 corners who could play in the regular season.

Predicted Starter: Shaquill Griffin

1. QB1

The Contenders:
Sam Darnold
J.J. McCarthy

This one was included out of necessity. All signs point to Darnold starting against the New York Giants in Week 1, but if McCarthy clears the coaching staff’s “benchmarks,” he could score the upset.

Fans should consider Darnold the QB1. Yet, because the position is so high-profile and McCarthy was selected as the highest-drafted quarterback in Vikings’ history, the QB battle will be all-consuming, at least in terms of interest.

When training camp and the preseason get down to brass tacks, McCarthy may battle Nick Mullens for the QB2 job. Stay tuned.

Predicted Starter: Sam Darnold

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.