The Minnesota Vikings dropped their second preseason game to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night but as with most preseason games, there’s more than just the 24-16 score.
The Vikings are coming down the final stretch toward the regular season and with cut day nearly two weeks away, there are several players who were looking to make an impression on Saturday night.
Related: 5 things that stood out in the Vikings’ loss to the Titans
Here’s a look at three players who improved their stock on Saturday night:
Ivan Pace Jr.
Pace didn’t play for long on Saturday night, but his usage indicates just how far he’s come in a short period of time.
Making the start on Saturday night, Pace was wearing the green dot, which indicates his ability to communicate with the coaching staff and make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. With Pace leading the way, the Cincinnati product used his speed to create havoc on Tennessee’s opening possession and help Lewis Cine pick up a third-down stop.
This was an encouraging play from two important young #Vikings defenders. Ivan Pace Jr. loops around and gets a hit on Malik Willis, and Lewis Cine finishes it with an open-field tackle short of the sticks. pic.twitter.com/WQrX6DDerb
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 20, 2023
Pace has become the star of training camp, blowing up offensive linemen and making plays despite his 5-foot-10, 230-pound frame. While Brian Asamoah and Jordan Hicks are expected to start at linebacker, Pace has carved out a role and should be a key piece of the Vikings’ defense this season.
Greg Joseph
You could make the argument that Joseph already had won coming into the night as the Vikings released UDFA Jack Podlesny on Friday night, but Joseph did his best to reinforce their belief by knocking down all three field goal attempts and an extra point against the Titans.
Joseph’s performance represents an already calm vibe surrounding the special teams. Although special teams coordinator Matt Daniels declared a kicking battle between Joseph and Podlesny during training camp, it was just a formality as Joseph attempted every kick in the preseason opener in Seattle and was never really threatened by the Georgia alum.
At this moment, the Vikings prefer continuity in their field goal unit with long snapper Andrew DePaola, and punter/holder Ryan Wright. Although Joseph’s numbers dropped from a year ago, he’s a better option than the alternatives, which gives him a leg up (no pun intended) heading into the season.
NaJee Thompson
Joesph wasn’t the only special teamer that stood out on Saturday night as NaJee Thompson continued to make an impression as a punt gunner.
The UDFA out of Georgia Southern went viral with his effort during the preseason opener in Seattle and continued to make an impact with a tackle in the first quarter on Saturday night.
Special Teams Appreciation Post@najee_thompson 😤😤
📺: @fox9 pic.twitter.com/9W72fzWG9T
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 20, 2023
Thompson’s play might seem like a footnote in the bigger picture, but unlike previous Vikings gunners, Thompson can not only get to the returner first, he can make the play at the end of it. Kevin O’Connell said that Thompson developed concussion-like symptoms after the game, but if he stays healthy, Thompson can be a weapon in the battle for field position.
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