Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is having a pre-planned rest day at training camp on Wednesday, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. Jefferson's absence from Wednesday's session is simply for maintenance purposes, so fantasy managers don't need to be alarmed. It remains to be seen, however, if Jefferson will take the field for the Aug. 10 preseason opener against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. The 25-year-old All-Pro wideout missed seven games a year ago due to a strained hamstring, but that didn't stop him from putting up over 1,000 yards in just 10 appearances during 2023. After notching the fourth-most yards per route run (2.95) over 364 routes run and sixth-most yards per target (10.7) across his 100 targets, Jefferson is a cinch selection in the middle of Round 1 of fantasy drafts as Minnesota's alpha target.

Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has taken a back seat to Sam Darnold during the opening days of training camp. Head coach Kevin O'Connell said today that McCarthy will eventually get some consistent first-team reps in camp, but that Sam Darnold had earned the right to get the bulk of them to this point. O'Connell also said he will use that time both to evaluate McCarthy and also see if Darnold can "elevate" a different set of receivers other than Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The 21-year-old first-round pick is getting more comfortable during camp, but the Vikings have stressed that patience will be key in the development of McCarthy, their 2024 first-round pick. Sam Darnold is currently the favorite to open Week 1 as Minnesota's starting quarterback, but with the playmakers at the skill positions for the Vikings, McCarthy will be an attractive streaming quarterback if he gets the opportunity to start this season.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison spoke publicly on Sunday about his arrest in July for the first time. The second-year wideout vowed to "keep learning" after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. He also said that he was "surprised by the support he received" from his teammates and coaches. Addison stated that he was in a dark place and the team helped him come out of it and return to the field at a high level. Head coach Kevin O'Connell and teammate Justin Jefferson spoke in support of Addison as well. There could still be a suspension in the near future, but Addison will be participating in training camp in the meantime.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor has reportedly been impressing the organization early in training camp. The former sixth-round pick has done everything asked of him and continues to make a good impression. The biggest problem for Nailor has been injuries. He has been held to a total of 21 games over his first two seasons in the league. If healthy, Nailor has a real shot at earning the WR3 role on this offseason. The Vikings don't have a ton of viable options behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Right now, Nailor is competing with Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield Sr. for the third wideout job. Nailor could offer some deep league value if he's able to secure that role heading into the regular season.

Minnesota Vikings rookie first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy is not focused too much on trying to win the starting job in his first NFL season. "The process is the progress," McCarthy said. The 10th overall pick in April's draft mostly has worked behind presumptive starter Sam Darnold in the first three practices of training camp. "My ultimate goal is to get the most out of every single day. When the time comes [to start], it comes. I'm just training every single day so that when that time does come, I'm going to be ready," McCarthy said. The 21-year-old Michigan product said he can now call plays in the huddle without stumbling through the verbiage. It sounds like McCarthy is getting more comfortable already, but the Vikings have made it clear they will treat his development with patience above all else, and conventional wisdom around the team suggests that Darnold will open as the starter.