Vikings @ Browns
Final Score: Vikings 27, Browns 12
Senior Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1)
After notching their first preseason win last week on the back of some encouraging quarterback play from JJ McCarthy, the Minnesota Vikings came into this game licking their wounds after the first-round pick was ruled out for the season with a meniscus tear in his knee. That means journeyman veteran Nick Mullens becomes a valuable fantasy commodity once again as the backup to Sam Darnold. Neither team chose to employ any meaningful starters in this game for more than a few snaps but there were some key takeaways from a fantasy perspective.
Two Up
- Trishton Jackson – The second-year wideout has scored in back-to-back games and looks to be yet another unheralded Vikings receiver who runs good routes and has excellent catch-completion skills. He could become a nice option as a flex play, similar to what K.J. Osborn did the past few years.
- D’Onta Foreman – The downhill runner saw significant action in this game, finding the endzone from around the goal line as he ramps up to be a key contributor behind starter Jerome Ford to begin the season.
Two Down
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson – Often scrappy and retreating behind a porous offensive line, DTR showed the same failings that we saw in a couple of starts last year. His accuracy and vision are still far from where they need to be as a backup quarterback, with his interception thrown behind his receiver causing the turnover
- DeWayne McBride – the former 2023 late-round pick who had some hype as a gadget back saw limited action as a rookie and entered the game after Kene Nwangwu and Myles Gaskin in this contest. McBride looks set to be on the practice squad once again.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Nick Mullens: 11/20, 135 Yards, TD, 3 Sacks | 1 Carry, -1 Yard
After an accomplished opening drive in which he expertly marched the offense down the field for a score, Mullens slowly became less impactive as his accuracy deserted him when throwing to medium-range targets. Mullens found Jackson in the back corner of the endzone on the Vikings’ first drive with a lovely ball to the outside where only his receiver could get it. However, he also underthrew a handful of passes that should have been easy completions. Mullens played the entirety of the first half.
Jaren Hall: 4/5, 87 Yards, 2 TD, 1 Sack
Hall has stuck around under Kevin O’Connell but it doesn’t look like he has earned the confidence to compete for the backup role. Saying that, Hall was impressive in the second half, throwing for two scores. His first was a looper from the goal line into the corner that Malik Knowles just about hauled in, but his second was a beautifully floated ball deep down the sideline as he rolled to his right to undrafted rookie Jeshaun Jones for a 71-yard score.
Running Back
Kene Nwangwu: 7 Carries, 45 Yards
Nwangwu will make this team as a return man but he showed here that he could also be a different option out of the backfield on occasion. Electric pace and tough, upright running saw him break a couple of tackles on a number of rushes.
Myles Gaskin: 9 Carries, 45 Yards
Gaskin carried the ball for the majority of the second half and nearly hit pay dirt after being tackled inches short of the goal line. Gaskin is hoping he can beat out Nwangwu for a roster spot but it doesn’t look promising despite him running well in this contest.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Trishton Jackson: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 39 Yards, TD | 1 Carry, 6 Yards
Each of Jackson’s three grabs in this game showed his ability to beat markers and go and make plays. Hauling in a touchdown thanks to excellent hands and a bit of toe-drag-swag by the touchline, Jackson also hauled in two passes on drives that resulted in field goals. He was also used in an end-around play out of the backfield, a nice sign that he knows the playbook and the Vikings are looking to get the ball into his hands. One to watch.
Jalen Nailor: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 31 Yards
The favorite to take over the third receiver role in Minnesota, Jalen Nailor made his case early with the first reception of the game, going deep before turning and grabbing a contested ball with safe hands for a 31-yard gain. Nailor showed his ability to create separation, run good routes, and make plays in just a short cameo in this game. Lock him in for a watchlist guy on waivers.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 13/17, 126 Yards, INT
If things don’t work out with Deshaun Watson, the Browns are not in a place they want to be at the quarterback position. DTR showed us the highs and lows of his talent last year and his inability to read the field at the second level showed out once again in this game. DTR was serviceable at best but also got away with taking a sack on the cusp of his own endzone which should have probably been called a safety. Tyler Huntley, who played out the end of this game, might be a more stable option as a backup due to his experience and rushing ability. Huntley did overthrow a redzone ball that was returned 90 yards, however.
Running Back
D’Onta Foreman: 10 Carries, 18 Yards, TD | 5 Targets, 5 Reception, 46 Yards
Finding a new home in Cleveland in the offseason, Foreman looks to be primed for work early in the season as Nick Chubb makes his way back from another serious injury. An early defensive pass interference call on a throwaway pass from DTR gave Foreman the chance to punch the ball in from the one-yard line. He was held up on his first attempt but pushed his way in second time around for the score. Foreman is a big, powerful runner who excels in short-yardage and goal line work. It is notable, however, that he also caught all his five targets for 46 yards in the passing game.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jamari Thrash: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 25 Yards
The Browns are very much set at receiver but with David Bell injured, there might be an opportunity for someone to step up and earn a roster spot. The best bet is fifth-round rookie Thrash, who showed nice hands on a couple of contested balls. The former Louisville receiver hauled in a tight-window throw between two defensive backs, taking a big hit in the process but managed to stay upright and earn extra yards. However, he also parried a poor pass from DTR into the arms of Vikings defensive back Lewis Cine to cause a turnover.