MINNEAPOLIS -- The practice fields at Minnesota State-Mankato already were set up to be a theater for competition this summer, thanks to the offseason the Minnesota Vikings spent acquiring as many serviceable offensive linemen as they could find for a reasonable price. The Vikings' 2016 draft, though, should infuse their training camp with intrigue at a few positions that might not otherwise have been contested.
As the Vikings kick off rookie camp on Friday, here is a look at a few positions where their first-year players could be vying for playing time this summer.
Wide receiver
Returning players: Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright, Adam Thielen, Charles Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Isaac Fruechte
Draft picks: Laquon Treadwell (first round), Moritz Boehringer (sixth round)
Projected starters; Treadwell, Diggs
Where the battles will be: Treadwell figures to become the starting split end, which would mean Diggs would move over to the flanker position, but the rookie will have to show he's ready for the spot, especially with Johnson and Patterson angling for playing time. Boehringer comes to Minnesota with plenty of attention, as a 6-foot-4 German receiver who ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, but there's a long list of questions he'll have to answer to make the Vikings' roster. Among them: Whether he can run routes effectively, how he'll handle physical corners and how quickly he can diagnose coverages while running option routes. General manager Rick Spielman said last weekend that Boehringer was "off the charts" from a mental standpoint, but the 22-year-old will have to display his football smarts in real time.
Cornerback
Returning players: Xavier Rhodes, Terence Newman, Captain Munnerlyn, Trae Waynes, Marcus Sherels, Jabari Price
Draft picks: Mackensie Alexander
Projected starters: Rhodes, Newman, Munnerlyn (nickel cornerback)
Where the battles will be: Alexander could push Munnerlyn at the nickel corner spot, particularly if the Vikings think he's a better cover man. Munnerlyn had a solid season in 2015, and was especially effective in run support, but the Vikings could be setting Alexander up for the future, with Munnerlyn set to become a free agent after the season. Waynes will try to win the starting left cornerback spot, though Newman could start training camp as the top corner in the spot where he performed admirably last season. If the Vikings don't have Waynes -- the No. 11 overall pick in 2015 -- playing a bigger role in his second season, they could have a problem on their hands.
Offensive line
Returning players: Matt Kalil, Brandon Fusco, Mike Harris, T.J. Clemmings, Joe Berger, John Sullivan, Phil Loadholt, Carter Bykowski, Austin Shepherd, Nick Easton, Zac Kerin, Jeremiah Sirles
Free-agent additions: Alex Boone, Andre Smith
Draft pick: Willie Beavers (fourth round)
Projected starters: Kalil (LT), Boone (LG), Sullivan (C), Fusco (RG), Smith (RT)
Where the battles will be: The Vikings intend for them to be all over the line, though the right side figures to be where most of the competition will happen. Fusco will have to hold off Harris for a starting spot, and the Vikings plan to try Beavers at guard. Harris also could be in the mix at right tackle, where Loadholt will try to get his starting spot back after two season-ending injuries. The job could be Smith's to lose, though, which makes one wonder whether Loadholt will be with the team at the end of training camp. Sullivan, who is returning from two back surgeries, will have to show he's healthy enough to hold off Berger, as well as Kerin and Easton, the Vikings' two younger options at the position.