We are now nearly a week away from games in the NFL holding meaning with the regular season kicking off on September 5th. The Minnesota Vikings will join the other 31 teams in the NFL to take part in their final preseason game on Thursday.
The Vikings will square off against the Buffalo Bills in their preseason finale this week after defeating the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 of the preseason. The team won the game, but Mike Zimmer didn't get to witness a confident showing from his starting offense.
In the team's dress rehearsal game last week, Kirk Cousins was out of sorts against the Cardinals. The team's pricey quarterback completed just three of his 13 throws to finish with 35 yards through the air.
Luckily for Zimmer, what happens in the preseason, remains in the preseason. The Vikings head coach hopes that his offense will get off to a better start to begin the 2019 season.
On Thursday, the depth players on the roster will have more game to prove themselves worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster. Here are three key players to watch in the Vikings' preseason finale versus the Bills.
3. Mike Boone
Heading into the final week of the preseason, the Vikings still have yet to determine who their third running back on the roster will be. Presently, Mike Boone is competing with Ameer Abdullah and De'Angelo Henderson to secure his spot on the roster.
Boone, a second-year running back, has had a productive preseason up to this point. Aside from Dalvin Cook, Boone was the team's best running back against the Cardinals last week.
The Cincinnati product rushed for 41 yards on 10 rushing attempts and a touchdown to help the team win 20-9. Throughout the preseason, Boone has carried the ball 35 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
As it currently stands, the team seems confident in deploying Abdullah as their kick and punt returner; essentially guaranteeing him a spot on the roster. For Boone, expect to see a decent workload in the final exhibition contest so he can earn his role on the team.
2. Chad Beebe
It's surreal to envision Laquon Treadwell gradually decline down the depth chart this preseason. Treadwell was drafted in the first round in the 2016 NFL Draft but is now uncertain to remain with the team in his fourth season with the Vikings organization.
Due to Treadwell failing to produce for the offense, the third receiver spot has been up for the taking in Minnesota this preseason. When the Vikings suited up to face the Cardinals, Chad Beebe was the team's slot receiver to begin the game.
Despite him being targeted three times with no receptions, Beebe seems to have the inside track to winning the job. Minnesota will likely want to see one more preseason outing for Beebe to show the coaching staff why he can thrive with the first-teamers this season.
Similarly to Adam Thielen, Beebe is an undrafted receiver who is trying to prove himself in the NFL. The Vikings are anxious to see if they have another undrafted underdog who can become a viable receiving threat in their offense this year.
1. Kyle Sloter
When mentioning the standouts of this preseason, Kyle Sloter's name absolutely needs to be brought up in the discussion. There are actual shirts being made by fans that remark “Sloter House” to articulate just how good he has been this preseason.
Sloter began his career with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Prior to the beginning of the 2017 season, Minnesota was able to secure Sloter to their practice squad. Since then, he has been a preseason legend with the team.
In three preseason contests this year, the third-year quarterback has completed 23 of his 27 passing attempts for 280 yards and three touchdowns. The most impressive stat for Sloter is that he has yet to throw an interception in his preseason career.
The Northern Colorado grad has turned some heads with his efficiency from under center this preseason. Sloter will have one more game to give the fans a reason to keep chanting his name.
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