TEAM OVERVIEW
Strengths: With WRs Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn to throw to and RB Dalvin Cook anchoring the backfield, QB Kirk Cousins (right) will again have plenty of skill by his side. Za’Darius Smith and a healthy Danielle Hunter will make a formidable duo of edge rushers at OLB.
Weaknesses: After 12th-year veteran Patrick Peterson, the CB group is again unproven with Cameron Dantzler and Andrew Booth Jr. in the mix at the other starting spot in the base defense and Chandon Sullivan slotted as the nickel back. The interior OL remains a question mark, with C Garrett Bradbury in a contract year and the rookie Ed Ingram on track to take over at RG.
Camp development: Defensive leader Eric Kendricks quickly formed a strong bond with Jordan Hicks at LB, where Anthony Barr had played next to him for the past seven seasons. K Greg Joseph built off a decent 2021 season with a strong performance during open-to-thepublic practices.
Expectations: The pressure on a first-year coach in Kevin O’Connell will be relatively low, but the Vikings eschewed a rebuild at what would have been a natural time to reset the roster under new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and kept Cousins for at least another year or two. By firing Mike Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman and bringing back the same core of stars and leaders that missed the playoffs each of the past two years, the Vikings have put the onus on O’Connell and his staff to get more out of the roster than his predecessor did.