When the Minnesota Vikings report to training camp, it becomes one of the best events of the calendar year. The Vikings have multiple training camp practices open to the public and the fans take advantage by packing the bleachers.
The Mr. Mankato award was founded by Judd Zulgad and Phil Mackey of SKOR North back in 2014 to recognize a player who is a rookie drafted in the third round or later or a lesser-known player that has yet to break out.
Past winners of the award include wide receiver Adam Thielen and linebacker Brian Asamoah II. Who could win the award this year?
Minnesota Vikings Mr. Mankato candidates
WR Thayer Thomas
Head coach Kevin O'Connell has spoken highly of Thomas during the offseason program. With WR3 up for grabs, Thomas is going to be one of many players considered for the spot.
An undrafted free agent from NC State in 2023, Thomas didn't make the roster but impressed enough to stay on the practice squad. Thomas bulked up this offseason and looks more fluid when running routes. He is one to watch for, as there will be a lot of opportunities to make an impression.
K Will Reichard
This just feels like bad juju. The Vikings have an awful track record with kickers and Reichard was selected during the sixth round of the most recent NFL Draft.
What Reichard has done is impress everyone in the building with his leg, including hitting fields goals consistently from distance. If he can be consistent, that would be a massive win for the Vikings.
EDGE Gabriel Murphy
Is Murphy this year's Ivan Pace Jr.? I firmly believe so. They have multiple things in common.
- Undervalued
- Size deficiencies
- Played at small schools before transferring to a power five institution
Murphy has sixth percentile arm length at 30.5" which can be viewed as a massive deficiency as an edge rusher. What Murphy does possess is a compact frame and flexibility to get under the arms of blockers with an athletic profile in the 92.9th percentile. If anyone can maximize Murphy, it's Brian Flores.
DT Levi Drake Rodriguez
Prospect X came to the Vikings with their second pick in the seventh round. There is a lot of intrigue with him as a prospect, but it will take some time. What Rodriguez does have that will impress those who choose the award is a heavy motor.
Rodriguez never runs out of energy nor does he take plays off. His personality will be infectious and take things to a new level. If Rodriguez can prove he should be a part of the rotation, the award could easily be his.
C/OG Michael Jurgens
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah believes that Jurgens can be a starter for a long time in the National Football League. Could that happen sooner rather than later?
Jurgens may be a seventh-round pick, but he will be given every chance to prove what he has during training camp. There is an intense battle for both starting guard spots but if one of them isn't for Dalton Risner, there is a real chance that Jurgens can elevate himself into one of the main backups on the roster.
Make sure to check out our home page every day for the best and latest Minnesota Vikings news and analysis.
