Vikings

Another Year, Another Mr. Mankato

For the past several years, 1500ESPN has produced a tongue-in-cheek award for the young Viking in training camp who captures the eye of the sports media despite long odds. This year, they’ve released their list of eligible candidates and the corresponding odds.

Eligibility has always been a bit amorphous, but is typically reserved for a rookie in the late rounds or a player who has hung around on the practice squad but hasn’t made the team yet. The inclusion of Pat Elflein, a third-round pick from Ohio State, isn’t one I agree with, but there are some otherwise interesting names.

The award was originally crafted to make fun of the idea that a standout camp performance from an unlikely player means much, but in recent years has signaled a legitimately interesting player. In the past three years, we’ve seen Jayron Kearse, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen take the award, and two of those players are expected to start this year.

Previously, players have largely underwhelmed in the NFL and have only come from two position groups: cornerback and wide receiver. The receivers include Aundrae Allison, Jaymar Johnson, Logan Payne and Stephen Burton while the cornerbacks consist of Marcus McCauley, Brandon Burton and Bobby Felder.

The smart money may be to pick a receiver once more, and there’s a good argument to be made for Rodney Adams. He’s a speedy guy who can make big plays, and also is in line for a returning spot. He’s had a fantastic offseason thus far and could be flashy enough to grab the attention of the voting consortium at 1500ESPN.

Given the “official” odds that 1500ESPN put together, though, it might be smarter to place bets on Bucky Hodges, a former receiver from Virginia Tech who himself is set to make big plays—which, as one might be able to pick up at this point—is a big part of the contest.

His biggest weaknesses may not be relevant, as blocking doesn’t seem to show up as much when it comes to the eyes of the evaluating public—especially because part of the award seems to be driven by buzz and acclaim as much as anything else.

Between the two, I’d lay money on Hodges over Adams, if only because the public has been primed for Hodges after perceiving the former Hokie to be a massive steal in the draft. Not only that, Hodges will almost certainly see a number of opportunities to make plays as the presumptive third tight end. Rodney Adams is battling for the fifth or sixth receiver spot and simply won’t be in line to make as many plays.

If one were to pick a longshot, Isaac Fruechte might be the one to throw money down on. He may start out getting just as many reps as Adams, but benefits from the local angle (and therefore local buzz) in the same way Adam Thielen did.

Not only that, the Vikings have a history of giving chances to players who made the 90-man roster through the tryout process instead of traditional undrafted free agency. Marcus Sherels and Adam Thielen both made the team after beating out 40 other tryout rookies and at least one already-signed undrafted free agent.

Both Sherels and Thielen spent nearly a year on the practice squad before they made the roster. Sherels and Thielen are also from the great state of Minnesota.

Like for Adams, it will be tough for Fruechte to see the requisite reps he needs to outshine tight end Bucky Hodges, but his ability to play in the slot and the outside may make up for that slightly more clogged up rotation—add to that the fact that receivers have won it more than anyone else, and he seems like a fun option to cheer for.

Other than that, I would recommend staying away from any of the players listed as having 16-1 odds or worse—even with a nice payoff, those odds are vanishingly thin.

Aside from Isaac Fruechte, the most interesting dark horse might be Eric Wilson. If the committee ends up choosing a non-receiver, non-defensive back player, a five-team ace like Wilson (all four special-teams units and the regular defense)—whose special teams chops in college might even be better than Kentrell Brothers—would be the kind of thing the committee looks at.

It may take a small miracle for Wilson to make it; every defensive player to earn the award has had at least one day in camp with multiple interceptions, and Wilson’s career college total is zero. Still, he’s a talented player that might have had a good argument to get drafted.

Confused about any of the names or want to learn more about the players competing for the bottom of the roster? Check out Arif Hasan’s 2017 Vikings Guide for scouting reports on each player in camp as well as schematic breakdowns, drills to watch for and essays detailing the trends driving roster-building for only $20.

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