The most significant part of the Minnesota Vikings' offseason program begins on May 26, when the team will hold 10 organized team activities and a three-day mandatory minicamp in a four-week stretch. Before that begins, we're taking a position-by-position look at the Vikings' roster, and some key battles to watch:
Position: Wide receiver
Who's new: The Vikings sent a fifth-round pick to Miami to acquire deep threat Mike Wallace, spent a fifth-round pick on Maryland product Stefon Diggs and signed four undrafted free agents (DaVaris Daniels, Gavin Lutman, Jordan Leslie and Isaac Fruechte).
Depth chart:
1. Wallace: Vikings coaches are eagerly anticipating what Wallace can bring to their offense, both as a deep threat for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and a player who can produce big gains after the catch on screen passes. He left Miami as a malcontent after two underwhelming seasons, but the Vikings believe he's a better fit in their offense.
2. Charles Johnson: After emerging in the second half of last season, Johnson spent part of his offseason trying to improve his footwork. He's got good size (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and showed he can stretch the field last season. With a little sharper route running, he can become a significant threat.
3. Jarius Wright: He caught 42 passes a year ago -- the best season of his career -- and at 5-10, he has shown he can be more than a slot receiver. Wright caught 34 of his 42 passes from a wide split, according to ESPN Stats and Information.
4. Cordarrelle Patterson: The third-year receiver is the one to watch. He's saying the right things after a disappointing 2014 season, and took on a more difficult workout regimen this offseason. But can he master the nuances of playing receiver in the NFL and learn how to get open consistently? He'll have to, if he wants the ball more consistently than gadget plays will allow.
5. Diggs: He comes to the Vikings with a reputation for making big plays after the catch, and using smooth route-running skills to get open. He'll have to learn how to beat press coverage in the NFL, though. If he does, he might project as more than a slot receiver.
6. Adam Thielen: The darling of Vikings training camp last year, Thielen got most of his work on special teams before catching a 44-yard touchdown pass in the season finale. He has good hands and works hard, but he doesn't have elite speed and was largely used in run formations last season.
Position battles to watch: There's lots to watch with the group this spring, largely because so little is sorted out. Patterson will need to prove he has a better understanding of what to do in the Vikings' offense. Johnson will be trying to solidfy a starting spot over Wright and Patterson, and Thielen will have to fight to make the roster for a second consecutive season after the Vikings drafted Diggs. The Vikings also gave a $10,000 bonus to Daniels, who was kicked off the team at Notre Dame for academic issues, and they signed the 6-4 Lutman after his impressive pro day at Pittsburg State. The group as a whole is young, but there should be plenty of competition here before and during training camp.
