MINNEAPOLIS – After a brutal loss in last season’s NFC Championship game to the reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, the Vikings will have a chance to exorcise their post-season demons in the upcoming season that officially kicks off this Saturday with training camp. For the first time in over a half-century, the Vikings will not be making the pilgrimage to Mankato and instead will be heading to Eagan to practice at the state-of-the-art facility known as the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. A new facility, in conjunction with a newly added face of the franchise in Kirk Cousins, provides a lot to be excited about if you bleed purple and gold. At the same time, there remains some questions and concerns that will need to be addressed in the coming weeks that I’ve decided to break down.

Will this be the year that Laquon Treadwell puts it all together?

When the Vikings selected Treadwell with the 23rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the hope was for the Ole Miss alum to become a No. 1 target in an offense that was in desperate need of an elite receiver. Flash forward to 2018, and Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs have filled that void and have become one of, if not the best wide receiver tandems in the NFL. So where does Treadwell fit into all of this?

With the top two receiver spots all but locked up, Treadwell will have his sights set on the vacant third receiver spot that will be earned in training camp and preseason. Nipping at his heels is newly-acquired Kendall Wright along with younger guys like Brandon Zylstra and Stacy Coley who all have a legitimate shot at securing the position. If Treadwell can put the pieces together, the trio of Thielen, Diggs and Treadwell could make for an electrifying group who all bring their own unique skillsets to the table.

Is this the end of the road for Marcus Sherels in purple and gold?

The story of Marcus Sherels and his rise from an undrafted free agent to a return specialist and backup cornerback for the Vikings has been nothing short of spectacular and serves as an inspiration to those who may lack in size but not in heart and determination. Sherels was brought into rookie camp on a tryout in 2010 and has been an unsung hero for the team ever since, namely through his work on special teams. Sherels has been the epitome of what it means to be a team player, but I think his time as a Viking is nearing its end.

With the addition of cornerback Mike Hughes out of the University of Central Florida in the 2018 NFL Draft and his ability to not only shutdown opposing receivers, but to return punts at a high-level makes him a more valuable asset than Sherels at this point in time. Texas corner Holton Hill, another rookie, who unlike Hughes went undrafted due to off the field concerns, has received glowing reviews during his time at OTA’s and will provide Sherels with another hurdle for which to pass in order to make the final 53-man roster. When it’s all said and done, the Vikings will likely carry 11 DB’s into the 2018 season with a total of six cornerbacks.

Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Terence Newman and Mike Hughes are all going to make the final 53, leaving Hill and Sherels to battle for the final roster spot at cornerback. Given Hill’s untapped potential and superior ability as a cover-corner, combined with Hughes’ ability to return punts makes Sherels a long-shot to make it this year.

O-line still a

work in progress

The Vikings possess one of the most complete rosters in all the league comprised of blue-chip veterans up and down the lineup at each level of the offense and defense, except the offensive line. The Achilles heel for Minnesota is its offensive line and could be what holds the team back from contending for a Super Bowl. Last season, quarterback Case Keenum bailed the offensive line out on many occasions with his ability to maneuver in the pocket and avoid getting sacked, which in turn gave the wrong impression that the unit as a whole had drastically improved.

In a nutshell they did improve, but not by much. Key additions like that of Riley Reiff who replaced perennial turnstile Matt Kalil at left tackle was a significant upgrade. Center Pat Elflein was another bright spot and looks to be a staple on the line for many years to come. All that being said, the depth behind Reiff and Elflein leaves a lot to be desired for a team vying for a Super Bowl. In order for this team to make that coveted run, another step up in production for the unit as a whole in combination with a healthy season will be what it all boils down to.