5 Vikings players to watch in Week 1 against the Falcons

Chad Beebe – WR

Chad Beebe was getting a ton of buzz out of Vikings training camp early in the summer. Minnesota’s coaches were impressed with his football smarts, his route running, and his sure handedness.

So when the preseason games began this year, fans were excited to see the front-runner for the Vikings’ third receiver role play and see how he’d be worked into the offense. The excitement soon turned to disdain.

Beebe had just one catch for seven yards during the entire preseason. He had a couple of uncharacteristic drops and he seemed to run the wrong routes at times. He was anything but impressive and many wonder if rookie Bisi Johnson should be the one in that third spot on Minnesota’s receiving depth chart this Sunday.

It’s very likely Beebe takes the field this week as the Vikings’ third receiver, as the coaches will want to go with the experienced hand. The question is how much of a factor he will actually be in Minnesota’s passing attack this season.

Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen will get their targets and there are also a couple of talented tight ends in Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. who will also get fed. Vikings running backs Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison should see some passes thrown their way this year too.

Minnesota may not have a lot of plays drawn up for the diminutive receiver. Then again, they could also sneak Beebe open on certain plays as the opposing defense stays more focused on the bigger names in the Vikings’ offense.

At this point, it’s all a guessing game. But the overall targets Beebe sees against the Falcons and what he does with them might give fans an idea of how the Vikings plan on utilizing him in their offensive attack this season.