08-16-2022, 08:51 PM
Backup quarterbacks
Kellen Mond showed the decisiveness coaches have sought from the second-year quarterback in a strong second half against the Raiders. Carrying that over this week could help him leapfrog veteran Sean Mannion, who started in Las Vegas, for the backup job. Neither quarterback has had a great camp so far, so Mond and Mannion are not only competing against each other, but also trying to keep the front office from looking elsewhere for backup help.
Second cornerbackThird-year cornerback Cameron Dantzler has broken up passes and garnered praise from coaches during camp, keeping him atop the depth chart over second-round draft pick Andrew Booth Jr. They didn't see many passes thrown their ways against the Raiders, but both were penalized in coverage. Booth has seen a lot of yellow; the rookie needs to show he can adhere to stricter coverage rules in the NFL. He's got the talent and confidence to eventually start should he prove to be reliable.
Safeties Camryn Bynum, the second-year safety, is another young defender who has made a handful of plays on the ball in camp. He's so far taken the lion's share of first-team reps next to Harrison Smith, ahead of first-round pick Lewis Cine. But Cine knows "there's a place for me" in coordinator Ed Donatell's defense, which is expected to feature various packages with five or six defensive backs. How much Cine plays right away remains to be seen. Bynum appears to have earned a role whether he's starting or not.
Right guardVeteran Jesse Davis started at right guard against the Raiders and played just eight snaps before the starting offensive line was pulled from the game. Second-round pick Ed Ingram replaced him and appeared to fare well in 30 snaps, especially as a run blocker. Ingram got hands on two defenders, including walling off a Raiders linebacker, during Ty Chandler's 14-yard run in the second quarter. The Vikings need to shore up the interior line, and Ingram appears to be ascending as the competition ramps up.
Backup receiversBisi Johnson, the reliable fourth-year receiver, started opposite K.J. Osbornagainst the Raiders. He seems to have a leg up as the fourth receiver over Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Albert Wilson, Jalen Nailor, Dan Chisena and Trishton Jackson. The team needs to pinpoint who can fill the fifth and sixth spots, assuming they keep six receivers on the 53-man roster. Smith-Marsette had an uneven preseason opener, dropping a pass and a punt return.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-posi...600198811/
Kellen Mond showed the decisiveness coaches have sought from the second-year quarterback in a strong second half against the Raiders. Carrying that over this week could help him leapfrog veteran Sean Mannion, who started in Las Vegas, for the backup job. Neither quarterback has had a great camp so far, so Mond and Mannion are not only competing against each other, but also trying to keep the front office from looking elsewhere for backup help.
Second cornerbackThird-year cornerback Cameron Dantzler has broken up passes and garnered praise from coaches during camp, keeping him atop the depth chart over second-round draft pick Andrew Booth Jr. They didn't see many passes thrown their ways against the Raiders, but both were penalized in coverage. Booth has seen a lot of yellow; the rookie needs to show he can adhere to stricter coverage rules in the NFL. He's got the talent and confidence to eventually start should he prove to be reliable.
Safeties Camryn Bynum, the second-year safety, is another young defender who has made a handful of plays on the ball in camp. He's so far taken the lion's share of first-team reps next to Harrison Smith, ahead of first-round pick Lewis Cine. But Cine knows "there's a place for me" in coordinator Ed Donatell's defense, which is expected to feature various packages with five or six defensive backs. How much Cine plays right away remains to be seen. Bynum appears to have earned a role whether he's starting or not.
Right guardVeteran Jesse Davis started at right guard against the Raiders and played just eight snaps before the starting offensive line was pulled from the game. Second-round pick Ed Ingram replaced him and appeared to fare well in 30 snaps, especially as a run blocker. Ingram got hands on two defenders, including walling off a Raiders linebacker, during Ty Chandler's 14-yard run in the second quarter. The Vikings need to shore up the interior line, and Ingram appears to be ascending as the competition ramps up.
Backup receiversBisi Johnson, the reliable fourth-year receiver, started opposite K.J. Osbornagainst the Raiders. He seems to have a leg up as the fourth receiver over Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Albert Wilson, Jalen Nailor, Dan Chisena and Trishton Jackson. The team needs to pinpoint who can fill the fifth and sixth spots, assuming they keep six receivers on the 53-man roster. Smith-Marsette had an uneven preseason opener, dropping a pass and a punt return.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-posi...600198811/
