As the Minnesota Vikings prepare to kick off their first game of the preseason this Thursday, they unveiled their first officially “unofficial” depth chart of 2023.
This is our first glimpse into where things stand with numerous training camp position battles. Roster cuts, playing time, and both backup and starting jobs hang in the balance. This depth chart is one of our first real insights into head coach Kevin O’Connell‘s thinking and new defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
It’s also completely out of whack. Based on the reports out of camp, we should’ve expected a very different picture than the one the Vikings released this past Monday. This depth chart seems to mostly be an indication of where things stood at the beginning of the offseason program, not a true reflection of where things sit a week into training camp.
But if we’re assuming that O’Connell and his staff aren’t total liars, and that they put real thought into this press release rather than copy/pasting what it may have looked like at the beginning of June, there are a few big takeaways.
So let’s overreact, shall we?
Jordan Addison lags behind Osborn and Nailor for WR2
The Jordan Addison hype has begun.
The Vikings’ first-round pick has been a standout in camp thus far, making highlight catches and showing off his silky smooth route running. Based on the clips and reports out of training camp, you’d think Addison was a shoe-in to be Jefferson’s running mate at WR2.
In reality, Addison likely still has work to do to earn those snaps. K.J. Osborn has also had a nice camp, and the veteran may be a more consistent weapon on the outside than the rookie. That said, the unofficial depth chart assumes the offense is in a two wide receiver set, and we’ll see how often that actually happens. The Vikings loved 11-personnel last season, and Addison seems to be an ideal fit in the slot. Let’s not forget, it was primarily in the slot where Addison won the Biletnikoff Award as a junior at Pitt.
Still, for him to still be lagging behind Osborn and sharing equal footing with the injured Jalen Nailor tells us a few things. This staff must really believe in the leap Nailor seemed to be taking before being sidelined. And Addison is not going to be anointed as a starter simply by virtue of being a first-round pick. He’s going to have to earn it.
I’m willing to bet he will, especially if he keeps making plays like these.
UDFA Sensation Ivan Pace Jr. still buried on the third team
Arguably the most fun storyline of training camp thus far has been the electrifying ascent of UDFA Ivan Pace Jr.
The former Cinncinatti Bearcat has been making a name for himself early, and may very well have a chance to earn starting reps early in his Vikings tenure if this keeps up.
Many fans are campaigning for the team to embrace the youth movement at linebacker, salivating over the athletic potential of Pace and second-year athletic freak Brian Asamoah. It’s hard not to dream of the young duo coming together like Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks did not long ago, and the ceiling there is likely much higher than what veteran Jordan Hicks can provide.
Yet, if this depth chart is to be believed, Pace still has to overtake Troy Reeder before he can even sniff Jordan Hicks’ starting spot at linebacker. Considering the amount of snaps Pace has gotten with the first team already, only one week into camp, I expect this to change swiftly.
Kene Nwangwu holds off Chandler and McBride for RB2
In the new-look running back room after the departure of Dalvin Cook, it’s going to matter now more than ever that the Vikings find a stable rotation. Alexander Mattison is dependable, but he’s no Dalvin Cook. RB2 in this offense is going to get plenty of playing time.
That’s why it’s interesting that Nwangwu remains entrenched as the backup running back after a week of camp. Firstly, he’s been banged up and has been sitting out for most of the first week. Secondly, reports on second-year runner Ty Chandler have been mixed, but mostly positive.
Then there’s seventh-round runner DeWayne McBride, who reportedly even saw some first-team action when Mattison sat out due to injury last week.
Fans have been waiting for the lightbulb to go off with Nwangwu, because it would certainly be exciting to utilize his 4.32 speed somewhere other than special teams. Thus far in his career, though, he simply hasn’t clicked yet from scrimmage and is still developing his vision as a runner.
This is another spot where the staff may have deferred to the veteran for now. But a young player like Ty Chandler may have a chance to overtake him with another good showing in the preseason.
