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Lewis Cine shows growth, makes Vikings roster

Lewis Cine. Where do we begin? Most Minnesota Vikings fans have probably already given up on Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first draft pick. But the 32nd overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft is still just 24 years old. That’s far too early to throw the towel in on one of the best players from a championship-level Georgia Bulldogs defense.

Lewis Cine was the definition of a headhunter while at Georgia. A heat seeking missile

See ball, attack ball 😈 pic.twitter.com/RV7dbsenjB

— Thumser (@JeffreyThumser) July 20, 2024

While skeptics are right to have their doubts about a player who hasn’t done anything at the pro level, it’s quite possible he’s still mentally trying to overcome an injury some athletes may never come back from. Cine is facing very stiff competition among a deep group of Vikings safeties. However, he does benefit from the fact that defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves to use three safeties at a given time, sometimes more.

With all the losses the Vikings have suffered to their cornerback group, Cine now has more opportunities. For the third-year pro, it’s now or never. The ball is in his court.

Related: 6 Cornerbacks Vikings Could Add to Address Sudden CB Need

Vikings stand pat at CB, Andrew Booth snags key role

Losing two players who were expected to contribute in 2024 in Khyree Jackson and Mekhi Blackmon places the Vikings in a tough spot. However, they emerged from the draft with a wealth of depth. That depth is now being tested, and then some.

Previously, a player like Andrew Booth Jr may have been a prime trade candidate. The Vikings could have likely swapped the former second-round pick for another high-upside player at another position, or a veteran more capable of contributing right away.

But not anymore. Now Booth is very much back in the mix to emerge as anywhere from a CB2-CB4. Yet, even doing that won’t be easy. He’ll have to show he’s better than a former Pro Bowler in Shaq Griffin while holding off Akayleb Evans, who started 15 games last season.

Yet, there’s a reason why the former Clemson product was once viewed as a fringe first-round prospect. If the 23-year-old can put it all together in his third season, the Vikings’ defensive back group will see a big boost, and we know he’s confident in his abilities.

Related: Vikings Beat Writer Very Critical of Two MN Cornerbacks

Jalen Nailor steals WR3 role from Brandon Powell

One of the biggest training camp battles to watch is seeing who will emerge as the third receiver option behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. While T.J. Hockenson will eventually become a top target once he returns to health, Vikings QBs will have to get used to relying on another playmaker until then. That man might just become third-year pro Jalen Nailor.

.@jalennailor hauls it in from @jjmccarthy09 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VVzuDDOKUy

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 25, 2024

The 2022 sixth-round pick is one of the fastest receivers on the team. Some say he might even be the fastest overall player. His biggest issue has been staying healthy, but he even saw 15 games of playing time as a rookie. So if he’s able to stay healthy, we wouldn’t rule Nailor out for a sizable role.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Know Who They Want to Win the WR3 Job

James Lynch earns starting role on Minnesota Vikings D-Line

The Vikings only have one established starter along their defensive line. Harrison Phillips isn’t losing his starting role, but Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery’s jobs are not safe. There’s a group of hungry trench warriors eyeing playing time, and 2020 fourth-round pick James Lynch is one of them.

A rotational player that has been flashing the past few weeks has been Vikings defensive lineman q #92 James Lynch.

Lynch is in his third season but is still only 23 years old. He doesn't always fill up the box score but did against the Bills.

Plus his middle name is 'Husker'. pic.twitter.com/l7cEIZ4cJt

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 15, 2022

He’s displayed a strong motor in his past opportunities in Minnesota, but a torn ACL wiped out his entire 2023 season. Now back on track, the 25-year-old is as motivated as ever to prove he not only belongs in the NFL but is one of the best defensive linemen on the team. We’ll see if he can pull it off.

Related: 6 Vikings Training Camp Battles that Matter in 2024

J.J. McCarthy wins starting QB job

Don’t tell the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff, but we know what they’re doing by hyping up Sam Darnold and lowering expectations for their new 21-year-old quarterback. Of course they don’t want their first-round QB to get too big of a head before he’s even made his official debut.

It’s not that Darnold isn’t fully capable of holding down a starting role. He was the No. 3 overall pick for a reason, and the 27-year-old has only sharpened his craft since joining the league in 2018. However, there’s also a reason he’s been bouncing around the NFL ever since.

All McCarthy needs to do to emerge from camp as the Vikings’ starting QB is prove that he’s more consistent than Darnold, while showing he’s capable of winning over the locker room. Our money’s on McCarthy’s leadership shining through over the next few weeks, making it so the coaching staff has no choice but to name him the starter for Week 1.

Related: J.J. McCarthy is Already Climbing Vikings’ Depth Chart

Now it’s up to coach Kevin O’Connell to get the most out of the pieces he’s been given. So, which Vikings training camp battles can fans look forward to?

Related: Top 10 Minnesota Vikings QB Draft Picks of All-Time

Minnesota Vikings fans get first QB competition since 2014

It’s crazy to think back, but the Vikings haven’t headed into the season with a quarterback battle since 2014, when it was either Teddy Bridgewater, Matt Cassel, or Christian Ponder. It’s a similar scenario this year, only J.J. McCarthy, selected tenth, was drafted far ahead of Bridgewater, who was the final player picked in the first round.

Vikings coaches have done their best to lower expectations of the 21-year-old while hyping up former No. 2 overall pick Sam Darnold. But teams don’t take players in the top ten and then sit them on the bench all year long.

Darnold may very well be in for a career year, but if McCarthy looks ahead of the curve, the coaching staff may not have a choice but to start him. Once the locker room becomes convinced he’s ‘the guy,’ there’s no looking back.

Related: Top 10 Minnesota Vikings 1st Round Draft Picks of All-Time

Who will snag the Vikings’ WR3 role?

After letting K.J. Osborn leave in free agency, the Vikings suddenly have a gaping hole at the third receiver position. The in-house leader to snag the WR3 role is Brandon Powell, who’s seemingly Coach O’Connell’s teacher’s pet. But there are several worthy competitors too.

Vikings coaches have also propped up Jalen “Speedy” Nailor for a couple of seasons now. Injuries have held him back, but if Nailor can stay on the field, he may prove to be the best pure receiver of the bunch. There’s always the chance that Trent Sherfield Sr, Lucky Jackson, or possibly even an outside addition becomes the third receiver behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison too.

Related: Vikings’ Star Tight End Has Some Big Praise for Rookie QB

MN Vikings training camp battles in trenches could be pivotal

The Vikings’ interior offensive line has been a weak point for several seasons now. Garrett Bradbury finding his way in 2022 was a much-needed development, and the same goes for Ed Ingram last season. But there are still question marks at left guard, despite Dalton Risner providing a steady hand in 2023.

Now the Vikings are starting from scratch, opening up the competition at guard between Risner, Ingram (who probably isn’t at risk of losing his job), and Blake Brandel. The Vikings didn’t give Brandel near-starter money just so he could stick around as a trusted backup; he’s definitely in the mix to start. Yet, competition breeds excellence, so maybe lighting a fire along the interior is just what this team needs.

Related: Blake Cashman is Gushing Over New Vikings Teammate, JJ McCarthy

Defensive line rotation is up for grabs in Minnesota

Arguably the Vikings’ biggest weakness heading into the season, the Vikings NEED to identify a difference-maker along the defensive line. Harrison Phillips is an above-average player, but he’ll never be elite, and he needs some help.

Unlike other areas of the team (defensive backs), the Vikings’ new regime hasn’t invested much draft capital into the defensive trenches. Edge rusher, sure, but not on the interior. However, the Vikings have a collection of ‘bodies’ who could snag a starting role. Along with Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, and Jerry Tillery are the expected starters, but don’t sleep on 2023 fifth-round pick Jaquelin Roy or James Lynch from earning a role either.

We also can’t forget about the fire inside Levi Drake Rodriguez’s heart. The rest of the NFL passed on LDR several times over before the Vikings ended his freefall as the 232nd overall pick. But coaches love his motor, giving him just as strong of a chance as any other competitor in this dogfight.

Related: Two of the Best Safeties in Football Should be Minnesota Vikings

Vikings cornerback battle will be fierce

Byron Murphy Jr replaced Patrick Peterson as the Vikings’ top cornerback with ease last season. After that? The jobs are up for grabs. Shaq Griffin, as a former Pro Bowl cornerback, is a good bet to hold down a starting role.

But Mekhi Blackmon and Akayleb Evans won’t make it easy. They combined for 18 starts last season (15 for Evans, 3 for Blackmon). There’s always the possibility Andrew Booth Jr shows up healthy and ready to live up to his potential as a former second-round pick, too; he’s only 23.

That’s not even accounting for 2023 undrafted rookies Jaylin Williams, NaJee Thompson, or the safety/cornerback hybrid Jay Ward. There’s a lot of competition here. Aside from the perceived QB battle, watching the corners slug it out might be the next best show in town.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Cannot Comprehend Why Other Teams Don’t Want Brian Flores

Kicking competition: Will Reichard or John Parker Romo?

Kickers are people too. The Vikings let Greg Joseph test free agency, which led to him joining a three-headed Green Bay Packers competition. Good luck.

Meanwhile, the Vikings have turned their attention to All-XFL kicker John Parker Romo, who’s spent time with the Saints, Lions, and Bears. But he’s never kicked in an NFL game. Although, some kickers just take longer to find their way, and it’s possible the 26-year-old is ready for primetime.

But then there’s Will Reichard, who the Vikings couldn’t wait to make the first kicker drafted back in April. The sixth-round pick out of Alabama has a big boot, which should play well in U.S. Bank Stadium, and coaches are already impressed. Since the Vikings used a draft pick on Reichard, it’s hard to imagine him losing his roster spot, but it all depends on the competition.

Related: ESPN: Vikings Should Have NFL’s Best Weapons