Roster depth has been a focus for the Minnesota Vikings for some time. The team lost all of its preseason games in its first two seasons under head coach Kevin O’Connell, but this summer Minnesota is 2-0.

The Vikings beat the Cleveland Browns 27-12 on Saturday. Preseason wins may not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but they don’t happen when certain players aren’t performing as they should.

Who were the up and downs on Saturday after a week of training together? Here is another edition of the Vikings stock report:

Carrying straps

Lewis Cinema, S

This is what Cine looked like at the University of Georgia. The 2022 first-round pick burst from deep and tackled tacklers. He stabbed his 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame down low and smashed ball carriers like Browns quarterback Tyler Huntley. He also recorded an interception against quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Cine finished the game with 10 total tackles, one sack, two quarterback hits, one interception and one pass deflection.

Lewis Cine gets his hands on the broken passport!

📺: @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/dvyrfLVimE

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) 17 August 2024

At one point in the broadcast, the microphones picked up a comment from one of Cine’s teammates: “That’s the No. 6 we know and love.” Cine made plays and gave head coach O’Connell a high-five. He seemed relaxed, quick and aggressive, and like he was having fun for the first time since training camp last year.

Does this mean he’ll make the 53-man roster? It’s hard to say. But at least it’s one of the most positive developments we’ve seen since last fall.

Kene Nwangwu, RB

Another preseason game, another good performance in the running game. Last week, Nwangwu galloped 48 yards for a touchdown. This week, he totaled 45 yards on seven carries, including a throw to the left where he broke two tackles and looked as fluid as he did during O’Connell’s days in Minnesota.

Minnesota won’t stop Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler from taking the brunt of the running game once the season begins. But Nwangwu’s play is a positive development. His arrival was paired with seemingly different running concepts: outside and downhill throws and straight runs through the middle. Nwangwu led the way, but Myles Gaskin added 45 yards on nine carries.

Trishton Jackson, WR

Few Vikings have had a better training camp and better preparation than Jackson. He caught a touchdown pass in the first preseason game and caught another from quarterback Nick Mullens on Saturday. He was even more impressive this week, with Jackson catching the pass and toe-toeing the ball into the field, just days after two impressive practices together in Cleveland.

The 26-year-old, who has been familiar with this team since entering the NFL in 2020 with the Los Angeles Rams, is one of Justin Jefferson’s best friends. He has also developed under the tutelage of wide receiver coach Keenan McCardell. He and wide receiver Jalen Nailor have staked their claims for roster spots and roles around the No. 3 and 4 receiver spots. All Jackson and Nailor have to do is stay healthy.

Dwight McGlothern, CB

When defensive coordinator Brian Flores was asked about McGlothern a few weeks ago, he pointed to the undrafted rookie’s ball skills. McGlothern played for Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones at LSU before Minnesota snapped him up as a free agent. Although he didn’t have a perfect spring or training camp, his football understanding is constantly on display. “He’s always making plays,” veteran safety Harrison Smith said on the show. “He’s a ballplayer.”

Earlier this week, McGlothern leapt over a Jameis Winston pass during practice in Cleveland for a touchdown. On Saturday, Huntley sailed a pass in the red zone and McGlothern pounced on it, catching it before it hit the ground. Then he leapt up and ran it back 91 yards.

Given the depth and age of the Vikings’ cornerbacks, losing McGlothern would be a bitter pill to swallow. Does that mean he’ll make the roster? Once again, it’s going to be pretty tricky.

.@nudiemcglothern take it away!

📺: @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/2mZGBcMhKR

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) 17 August 2024

Dallas Gant, LB

He may not have a spot on the roster, but Gant deserves credit for what he did Saturday. The undrafted product from Toledo led the Vikings with six solo tackles. He also deflected Thompson-Robinson’s pass, which was intercepted by Cine. He’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, but his wingspan, length and physicality stand out. He’s at least a practice squad option.

Faller

Ed Ingram, RG

Most of the Vikings’ expected offensive players didn’t play on Saturday. Ingram did. There are likely several reasons for that. First, one of the backup guards, Dalton Risner, hasn’t practiced in a few weeks. He’s suffered a back injury and is rehabbing. Also, backup center Dan Feeney didn’t practice this week in Cleveland because of an undisclosed injury. Their absence meant the Vikings had to play more inside than expected. Plus, more play for Ingram made sense, especially alongside a younger and less experienced group.

So why did he fail? At first glance — a more comprehensive assessment requires a review of All-22 footage — Ingram looked leaky. In the second quarter, Browns defenders Mike Hall Jr. and Isaiah Thomas turned around on a stunt, hitting Ingram and backup swing tackle David Quessenberry and sacking Mullens. Early in the game, Mullens was constantly pressured from the inside. Was this all Ingram’s fault? Certainly not. Ingram also deserves some credit for the team’s success on the ground. All things considered, though, it doesn’t feel like he’s as strong as one would hope for his third year.

GO DEEPER

JJ McCarthy is out for the season and the Vikings have to pick up the pieces

Michael Juergens, C

One reason Ingram was difficult to evaluate was Jurgens’ struggles. The seventh-round pick was Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated run-blocking guard in college football last year. The Wake Forest product failed on a field goal attempt in the Vikings’ first preseason game. This week, he seemed to constantly be on his back or on the ground in the backfield.

On the first drive, Jurgens was blocked by a turnstile, causing Mullens to throw the ball too quickly to tight end Nick Muse. Later in the first quarter, Mullens was under pressure and couldn’t fill in because Jurgens was pushed back from the center position. The Vikings intentionally added depth to the offensive line this offseason, but injuries have hurt. Jurgens is a developmental player who may compete for a spot on the roster depending on which players the Vikings retain elsewhere.

Bobby McCain, S

This may be a bit petty, but McCain was penalized for holding on the Browns’ first drive. Thompson-Robinson drifted out of the pocket and rolled toward the right sideline. McCain ran with fullback Giovanni Ricci, and as Ricci crossed the field, McCain tackled him. The penalty put the Browns in the red zone and Cleveland scored its only touchdown of the game. McCain finished the game with two tackles, but he is in a collection of defensive backs hoping for a spot on the back line.

Jacquelin Roy, DT

Again, film is necessary to fully assess Roy’s performance, but again, it didn’t feel like he was effective as a pass rusher or against the run on the interior.

Roy is a backup nose tackle behind Harrison Phillips. He’s also a former fifth-round pick, and the Vikings are looking at long-term development with most of their young players. He continues to be worth watching as the 53-man draft approaches.

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(Photo: Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)