The Minnesota Vikings reported to training camp yesterday. This is the 51st consecutive year that Mankato State University will be their training camp home. With head coach Mike Zimmer, a strong coaching staff, a young talented team, and a beautiful new stadium, there's a lot of excitement the 2016 Vikings teams. Here are the 89 players that will be working in the unpredictable summer weather of Mankato.
Quarterbacks
5 Teddy Bridgewater
13 Shaun Hill
6 Taylor Heinicke
2 Joel Stave
Running backs
28 Adrian Peterson
21 Jerick McKinnon
44 Matt Asiata
30 C.J. Ham
42 Jhurrell Pressley
Fullbacks
48 Zach Line
49 Blake Renaud
Receivers
14 Stefon Diggs
12 Charles Johnson
17 Jarius Wright
11 Laquon Treadwell
84 Cordarrelle Patterson
19 Adam Thielen
15 Isaac Fruechte
81 Moritz Boehringer
16 Terrell Sinkfield
9 Marken Michel
1 Troy Stoudermire
Tight ends
82 Kyle Rudolph
85 Rhett Ellison
83 MyCole Pruitt
89 David Morgan
87 Brian Leonhardt
86 Kyle Carter
Tackles
75 Matt Kalil
72 Andre Smith
71 Phil Loadholt
68 T.J. Clemmings
78 Jeremiah Sirles
60 Carter Bykowski
74 Austin Shepherd
Sean Hickey
Guards
76 Alex Boone
63 Brandon Fusco
79 Mike Harris
61 Joe Berger
64 Willie Beavers
69 Isame Faciane
Centers
65 John Sullivan
62 Nick Easton
67 Zac Kerin
Defensive ends
97 Everson Griffen
96 Brian Robison
99 Danielle Hunter
95 Scott Crichton
64 Stephen Weatherly
94 Justin Trattou
91 Zach Moore
62 Denzell Perine
Defensive tackles
98 Linval Joseph
73 Sharrif Floyd
92 Tom Johnson
93 Shamar Stephen
66 Kenrick Ellis
69 Toby Johnson
60 Travis Raciti
67 Theiren Cockran
Linebackers
55 Anthony Barr
54 Eric Kendricks
52 Chad Greenway
59 Emmanuel Lamur
57 Audie Cole
40 Kentrell Brothers
51 Edmond Robinson
58 Brandon Watts
56 Jake Ganus
Jason Whittingham
Cornerbacks
29 Xavier Rhodes
26 Trae Waynes
24 Captain Munnerlyn
23 Terence Newman
20 Mackensie Alexander
35 Marcus Sherels
25 Jabari Price
31 Melvin White
36 Tre Roberson
38 Keith Baxter
Safeties
22 Harrison Smith
34 Andrew Sendejo
33 Michael Griffin
41 Anthony Harris
32 Antone Exum Jr.
27 Jayron Kearse
Kicker
3 Blair Walsh
Punter
18 Jeff Locke
Long snapper
47 Kevin McDermott
The Vikings have an open spot on the roster. Many expected a second punter to be added in the offseason. Someone to compete with the often criticized Jeff Locke. That hasn't happened. Locke's "all-important numbers" should improve with eight games in the cozy confines of U.S. Bank Stadium. Placement is more important than distance in the Vikings special teams scheme. The coaches also likely prefer to see the special teams battery of Locke-Blair Walsh-Kevin McDermott get all of the practice reps.
Linebacker Edmond Robinson is a player that I really expect to shine in his second training training camp. The Vikings drafted him in the seventh-round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of itty-bitty Newberry College. I first became intrigued by his potential when he more than held his own against the big boys at the 2015 East-West Shrine game. Coming out of college he was a raw, talented player with NFL size and potential. An Anthony Barr injury forced him into the starting lineup late in his rookie season and he played like he belonged against the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears. His size and talent put him in Barr's spot at strong-side linebacker but Barr isn't going anywhere. I think that Robinson could become the sort of player that the coaches have to get on the field. Somewhere.
The Vikings first training camp practice is today. The drive to and through the 2016 NFL season has started.
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