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With the NFL season about to kick off, the Minnesota Vikings will be finalizing their roster in the coming days. The preseason has offered some insight on the team so far, but the coaching staff will have some tough decisions to make.
Most of the Vikings' starting lineup is a lock, but we'll see how it plays out. They play in a tough NFC North division that's controlled by the Green Bay Packers for now. The 2021 season is a perfect opportunity for the Vikings to prove themselves as a playoff contender.
To do that, this franchise will need the best possible roster they can muster. There seems to be some competition in the tight end group this offseason, while a veteran defensive lineman could win a starting role. With that said, here are two Vikings' first-stringers in danger of losing their starting jobs.
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Vikings first-stringers to watch
Irv Smith Jr.
Irv Smith Jr. is a young tight end who has been rather lackluster throughout his career so far. In the two years he's been in the league, Smith has only recorded 66 receptions, 676 yards, and seven touchdowns. Although that's true, he did end the 2020 season with some strong performances. Even so, he hasn't really separated himself from Tyler Conklin throughout training camp and the preseason.
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Conklin is another young tight end on the Vikings roster. However, he's been more of a blocker than a receiving threat so far. For that reason, Conklin could be on the field more often than not, as he's a superior blocker to Irv Smith Jr. Additionally, Conklin has looked good throughout the offseason, which doesn't bode well for Smith's chances.
The decision on who is named the starter won't come to fruition until the Vikings' first official game. Smith Jr. is likely to win the starting role as he's much more proficient in the passing game. However, with Minnesota being a run-first offense, Conklin's blocking skills cannot be ignored.
Dalvin Tomlinson
The starting role likely belongs to Dalvin Tomlinson, but he has stiff competition for the starting defensive tackle position. Sheldon Richardson serves as the backup for now, even though he has experience playing at a high level. It's a tight race between the two, which gives Minnesota a nice situation for the interior defensive line.
It's unclear how this position battle will play out, as both players have looked great throughout training camp and the preseason. It's a tough decision that Mike Zimmer and the coaching staff have to make, especially if Richardson continues playing at a high level.
Look for Dalvin Tomlinson to win the starting role as he's the younger player with more drive. Even so, he might be on a short leash. If Sheldon Richardson can put together a dominant performance in the final preseason game, he could persuade the coaching staff to start him. Keep a close eye on Minnesota's defensive line, as they have two solid options to play the defensive tackle position.
