The Minnesota Vikings 2024 preseason has come to an end. The team shockingly was undefeated in the exhibition games with many of the younger players stepping up and making plays when they were given the chance.
Heading into the preseason, there were many things assumed about this team. Some players were written off, some positions were deemed pretty weak overall, and some positions looked pretty strong on paper. Some assumptions have been held, and some have proven flat-out wrong. Here are four surprising things we've learned about the 2024 Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 preseason.
Vikings have a RB3 on the roster
Heading into the 2024 preseason it appeared the Vikings were thin at the running back position. They had no questions at the top with Aaron Jones as the clear-cut starter with Ty Chander being the backup. The question that loomed large was if they had another back who could be the number three option?
Kene Nwangwu had primarily been a returner to whom the team had shown little interest in giving carries. Myles Gaskin provided a veteran presence but was on and off the active roster and the practice squad throughout the 2023 season. Rounding out the depth was DeWayne McBride, who showed little as a rookie. Many assumed the Vikings could bring in a back who could be that third option if needed.
It didn't take long to realize that the third option was already on the roster. Kene Nwangwu made his presence felt in the first preseason game. He toted the rock five times for 52 yards and had an electrifying 48-yard touchdown scamper. Nwangwu followed that up with an impressive 45-yard performance against the Browns on seven carries. He has run with vision, power, and speed and truly looks the part of an NFL back, and no one saw that coming.
Vikings are very deep at edge
The Vikings had some positions that appeared deep heading into camp and one that didn't stick out at initial reviews of the roster was the edge position. The Vikings had a solid trio with Jonathan Greenard, Andre Van Ginkel, and rookie phenom Dallas Turner, but it was unclear who would round out that group. After this preseason, it looks like the Vikings could keep about eight edge rushers and no one would question it.
Patrick Jones has had a great camp and looks set for a prime rotational role. Free agent signing, Jihad Ward has also been very solid, providing a pass rush while also being stout against the run. The really surprising part of this group is the performances of Bo Richter and Owen Porter. These two have been very impressive with their ability to fly into the backfield creating pressure, and sacks.
Andre Carter also flashed in the last preseason game and now the Vikings have a very difficult decision on cut day. Will they go the veteran route and hope the young guys can get to the practice squad? Or do they think Andre Carter or Beau Ricther won't make it through waivers? It'll be interesting to see what they decide to do, but the sudden depth at this position is one of the more unexpected things to come out of the preseason.
Lewis Cine might be worth keeping
Heading into the 2024 preseason Lewis Cine was a player that many figured wouldn't make the roster. He was buried on the safety depth chart and was a guy who had no role on the team unless some kind of illness wiped out half of the depth chart.
Throughout the preseason that began to change. Cine was an active member of the special teams units pretty much out there on all phases. He was also given the chance to play an entire game and stood out against the Browns. Cine balled out, racking up 11 tackles, and had a sack and an interception. Granted it was against second, third, and even fourth stringers, but it was refreshing to see glimpses of what made the Vikings want to select him in the first round.
Unfortunately, Cine was unable to follow up on that performance in Philadelphia. He was again asked to play every single snap which he did, but failed to produce at the same level, with his only standout moment being a defensive pass interference call. Cine could still be cut or traded, but the situation isn't as crystal clear as it once was, and the fact he's made it that way should come as a surprise to many.
Wide receiver isn't as thin as initially feared
Like running back, there were concerns about the overall depth of the Vikings wide receiving corps. They were clearly set at the top with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison topping the depth chart, but after that, the questions began to pop up. Would Brandon Powell make the team as the number three option? If he did who would round out the depth? Injury concerns hovered around Jalen Nailor, and players like Lucky Jackson and Trishton Jackson had yet to show enough to garner consideration for the final 53-man roster.
Rumors were humming before training camp that the Vikings could sign a free-agent pass catcher like Hutner Renfrow. They opted to roll with what they had, and that looks like the right move. Jalen Nailor has been a beast since the first day of training camp. He has dominated in practice scoring multiple touchdowns on a routine basis. He carried that over to the preseason games hauling in four passes for 94 yards. Trishton Jackson also stepped up in a major way hauling in nine passes for 154 yards and three scores throughout three preseason games.
With Jefferson and Addison at the top of the depth chart, the crafty veteran in Brandon Powell, and the two youngsters with immense upside, the Vikings wide receiving corps shockingly looks loaded with talent from top to bottom.