5 Vikings with the most to prove during training camp
The Minnesota Vikings didn't have much going on during last year's training camp but a lot has changed coming into this year's camp.
Franchise cornerstones Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks and Dalvin Cook are gone and Ed Donatell's defensive system has been replaced by Brian Flores's more aggressive approach. The result is a lot of spots up for grabs and a lot of incumbent players with a lot to prove as they report to TCO Performance Center next week.
With rookies reporting on Sunday, July 23, here's a look at some of the players who need to make an impression during this year's camp.
Lewis Cine
Cine's rookie season didn't go well as he worked behind Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum during last year's OTAs. A knee injury during training camp limited his on-field reps and he played just two defensive snaps before suffering a season-ending leg injury on special teams in a Week 4 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Cine's recovery has gone smoothly from a physical standpoint and his athletic profile compares favorably to Javon Holland, who Flores selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft when he was head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
But the 23-year-old is still working behind Smith, Bynum and Josh Metellus, who seems slated for the "joker" role that many believed Cine would eventually have in Minnesota's defense.
Cine will have to have a strong camp in order to get on the field.
Andrew Booth Jr.
The safety spot isn't the only battle in the secondary as the Vikings' cornerback room got an overhaul this offseason. Patrick Peterson, Duke Shelley and Kris Boyd all departed in free agency and while Byron Murphy was signed as a replacement, the rest of the depth chart is up for grabs.
This creates an opportunity for Booth, but there's a question of whether he'll be healthy enough to take advantage of it.
Booth was considered a first-round prospect heading into last year's draft but fell due to injury concerns coming out of Clemson. After admitting he hadn't been healthy since high school, Booth suffered a knee injury in training camp and ultimately required season-ending surgery.
In between, Booth appeared in two games for the Vikings, allowing 13 catches for 152 yards and a 108.9 passer rating on 15 targets.
Booth was limited during OTAs as he was recovering from his latest surgery but he should be on the field when the Vikings start camp. Booth has the frame to thrive in Flores's press-man scheme but will also need to stay on the field and show improvement in order to secure a starting job.
Akayleb Evans
Evans showed some flashes during his rookie season but his issues in consistency as well as his ability to stay on the field are question marks heading into training camp.
Evans allowed 15 receptions for 242 yards, a touchdown and a 119.9 passer rating on 22 targets last season but also had some strong games including a pass breakup and his highest Pro Football Focus coverage grade of the year in a Week 10 win over Washington.
Evans has also shown a knack for defending the run, making five run stops on his 19 tackles and posting a 9.5% missed tackle percentage. A similar corner to Booth, Evans has a 6-foot-2, 198-pound frame that should thrive in man coverage – but that only works if he's on the field.
After suffering three concussions in an eight-week stretch last season, Evans told reporters during OTAs that he plans on altering his tackling technique, though it remains to be seen how that will affect his game. With rookie Mekhi Blackmon and free-agent pickup Joejuan Williams also pushing for snaps, Evans will have to stay on the field in order to keep an active role on defense.
Ed Ingram
For the first time since 2012, the Vikings will return all five starters across the offensive line. While that has given a sense of security heading into this season, it might not work if Ingram doesn't take a step forward.
A second-round pick in last year's draft, Ingram's rookie season was a disaster. No offensive lineman allowed more than Ingram's 63 quarterback pressures and there were technical gaffes including stepping on Kirk Cousins multiple times in pass protection.
Despite the flaws, Ingram improved as the season went along. The 24-year-old posted a PFF pass-blocking grade over 70 in three of the final four games and his work in the running game has provided a solid foundation for success.
If he can take a step forward in pass protection, Ingram should be able to cement himself as a solid starting guard, which is something the Vikings haven't had since Steve Hutchinson left town.
Kene Nwangwu
Nwangwu has been one of the NFL's best kick returners since he was selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 2021 draft but he might have to take on a bigger role thanks to the league's new kick return rules.
Beginning this season, returners can call for a fair catch on a kickoff inside the 25-yard line. While the rule, which has been used in college football since 2018, is designed to limit collisions, it further decreases the value of players like Nwangwu, who are regarded as return specialists.
This puts Nwangwu in a tough spot as he might have to show his ability as a running back in order to keep his roster spot. The Vikings began this process by having the 25-year-old lineup in the backfield and receiver during minicamp but if he can't grasp his new role, it could open the door for a more versatile back to take his spot.
