After a one day delay, the Vikings finally got to throw on the pads for this first time yesterday, and that means we’re one step closer to our first preseason game! If you’re new here, this year at Climbing The Pocket, we are going to do our best to report back daily with a Vikings Training Camp Stock Report. Essentially, relaying the information we hear and see from our fellow Vikings beat writers about who is trending up or down at Training Camp, and who we should be watching for in the coming days.
Trending Up📈📈📈
Oli Udoh– We mentioned a few days ago that we should keep an eye on the iOL, and just a few short days later here we are. Oli Udoh has been mentioned throughout camp as he takes rep as the 1st team RG, a switch that was made right before the camp through a phone call from new OL Coach Phil Rauscher. Since that moment Udoh has been turning some heads while splitting reps with Dakota Dozier and while fellow Rookie Wyatt Davis recovers from injury. Oli Udoh continued his strong start to camp on Tuesday as the team put on pads, and at the current moment he looks to be in the lead to take the RG position. The only person who could unseat him would be Wyatt Davis who the team expects back next week.
Irv Smith Jr- Can I put Irv Smith back on the Trending Up list? You bet your sweet ass I can! Irv continues to flourish as TE1 throughout camp and Tuesday was no different. As he caught two TD’s including an incredible one handed grab and savvy route running throughout the day. Only time will tell if this play will translate to in season production but for now, enjoy the Irv Smith Jr. breakout campaign, because it sure is fun!
Trending Down📉📉📉
Jeff Gladney– His stock is about as low as it goes, and now he’s no longer on the team. He was indicted yesterday by a grand jury in Dallas on a charge of allegedly assaulting a woman in Dallas in April and faces up to 10 years in prison. He’ll go down as one of the bigger busts in Vikings Draft History, just one year after the Vikings selected him in the 1st round.
Kellen Mond– After the first day of Camp I had Mond Trending Up, but given the emergence of Jake Browning combined with Mond testing positive for Covid-19, I have decided to put him on the Trending Down list. He’s got a lot to overcome already as a rookie, so being sick is obviously the most important thing to overcome. But when he is healthy and returns he’ll be facing an uphill battle to get to that QB2 position.
Who To Watch🔎🔎🔎
Cameron Smith- We mentioned the LB3 position battle the other day and now we’re giving you a specific name. After missing all of last year due to having open heart surgery, Cam is back and ready to try and take that LB3 position. It appears that the position is still up for the taking, but Smith took the first team reps for a portion of yesterday’s practice. Which leads me to believe we should keep a closer eye on him.
The Vikings Hosting Stuff- Vikings Owner spoke to the media yesterday and informed them of their interest in having either the NFL Draft or NFL Combine here in MN. Although it’s not an official bid process, giving the league a formal expression of interest is always progress towards seeing one or both of these make their way to MN someday.