The Minnesota Vikings open training camp on July 28 at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota. Here's a starting lineup projection:
Offense
Quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater): He was pressured on a league-high 36.6 percent of his dropbacks a year ago; if that number drops, the Vikings are betting he'll go from a solid QB to a very good one.
Running back (Adrian Peterson): Three-time rushing champ returns at age 31; he believes he can be the league's best running back well into his mid-30s, but telltale sign in 2016 could be how well he fits into the rest of the offense.
Receiver (Laquon Treadwell): He'll have to win the starting job, but if the 23rd overall pick is the starting split end, he can help boost an offense that ranked 26th in red-zone touchdowns a year ago.
Receiver (Stefon Diggs): His 5.56 average yards after the catch were the second-most among rookie receivers in 2015, as were his 2.08 yards after contact per catch.
Tight end (Kyle Rudolph): Caught 26 of his 49 passes in the final seven weeks of the season; he could become a more prominent part of the passing game if the Vikings don't need as much help from him as a blocker.
Tight end (MyCole Pruitt): Mostly played in three-tight end sets a year ago, but could beat out Rhett Ellison for more time as Ellison recovers from a torn patellar tendon. His 13 targets came across four different spots in the formation, and the Vikings believe he can play in the backfield, too.
Left tackle (Matt Kalil): Due to make $11.1 million in fifth-year option, but the Vikings need to see more consistency if they're going to commit to him long-term after this year.
Left guard (Alex Boone): Signed a four-year, $26.8 million deal on the first day of free agency; he'll be counted on to solidify what's been a weak spot the last two years on the Vikings' line.
Center (John Sullivan): He'll have to battle Joe Berger for the starting job after returning from two back surgeries, but if he's healthy, he returns as one of the Vikings' most intelligent and mobile linemen.
Right guard (Brandon Fusco): Back in his comfort zone on the right side after struggling at left guard last year. Fusco has no guaranteed money left in the contract extension he signed in 2014, and could get competition from Mike Harris.
Right tackle (Andre Smith): Started 14 games for Bengals a year ago. He'll battle Phil Loadholt for the right tackle spot after signing a one-year deal in March.
Defense
Defensive end (Everson Griffen): Only player to record back-to-back double-digit sack seasons in a Mike Zimmer defense, and made his first Pro Bowl last season.
Nose tackle (Linval Joseph): Won NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in November, and was ranked as Pro Football Focus' eighth-best interior player, despite playing only 491 snaps because of a foot injury.
Defensive tackle (Sharrif Floyd): Has missed five games because of injuries the past two seasons, and didn't practice during Vikings' offseason program because of lingering knee and ankle injuries. Team picked up his fifth-year option for 2017, but he's heading into an important year.
Defensive end (Brian Robison): Recorded five sacks in solid age-32 season. He'll be pushed for playing time by Danielle Hunter, but figures to see plenty of time as inside rusher in nickel package, too.
Outside linebacker (Emmanuel Lamur): Vikings want him to play weak-side spot after giving him a two-year deal; he had a half sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Bengals last year. He'll battle Chad Greenway for playing time.
Middle linebacker (Eric Kendricks): Posted four sacks in first half of the season before a rib injury slowed him down, but still finished with 92 tackles in first year.
Outside linebacker (Anthony Barr): After 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception of Peyton Manning last season, can he stay healthy enough to become a dominant player in Year 3?
Cornerback (Xavier Rhodes): Tied for sixth-most defensive penalties in NFL last year with nine, but didn't have one after Week 8. Vikings picked up his fifth-year option, believing he can be a top-notch cover man if flags stop flying.
Cornerback (Terence Newman): After impressive season at age 37 (16 starts, three interceptions), he heads into training camp with the edge on 2015 first-rounder Trae Waynes.
Safety (Harrison Smith): League's highest-paid safety went to his first Pro Bowl last season; in 2014, he tied for third in the league with five interceptions while posting three sacks.
Safety (Michael Griffin): He'll try to beat out Andrew Sendejo, Antone Exum and Anthony Harris, among others, after signing one-year deal in March. Reunites with Jerry Gray, who was Titans' defensive coordinator when Griffin recorded seven INTs from 2011-13.
Special teams
Kicker (Blair Walsh): His 27-yard miss against the Seahawks in the NFC wild-card playoffs will loom over the first part of his season, but the Vikings are excited to get him back indoors. He's 14-for-19 in his career from 50 yards or more when he's kicking indoors or in a retractable-roof stadium.
Punter (Jeff Locke): Vikings didn't bring in competition for him after he ranked 32nd in net yards per punt a year ago; free agent-to-be needs a strong year to stick around.
Long snapper (Kevin McDermott): Beat out long-time snapper Cullen Loeffler in training camp last year, and played all 17 regular-season and playoff games.
