Hoping to reign supreme as the champions of the NFC North next season, the Minnesota Vikings are coming into training camp with a ton of promise. After making upgrades to their defense with the signings of Patrick Peterson and Sheldon Richardson, the Vikings are looking to re-establish their identity as one of the elite defensive units in the NFL.

Minnesota is also looking to further utilize and diversify their offensive game plan in the hopes of making another deep playoff run during the 2021-22 NFL season. Especially after a productive offseason and NFL draft night, the Vikings have a lot to look forward to heading into training camp. Having said all this, lets take a look at three pleasant surprises that have stood out for the Vikings early in 2021 NFL training camp.

Vikings bright spots:

Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison look like an elite RB duo 

With Dalvin Cook already being one of the best running backs in the league, the addition of Alexander Mattison has proven to be a huge boost to the Vikings backfield early in training camp. Both players have showcased their skills as dual threat running backs who can thrive in Minnesota's rushing attack or passing game.

The addition of Mattison will elevate the Vikings backfield even further and give them the luxury of using a dual running back system that can give them a new approach on offense. Now that the Vikings are looking to make some changes to their offense, the formation of a new one-two punch at running back could definitely do wonders for them next season.

Jake Browning is giving Kirk Cousins a run for his money

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Early on in training camp, Jake Browning has outplayed Kirk Cousins and earned his place on the team as Cousins' back-up quarterback heading into the 2021-22 NFL season. Especially after Browning outplayed all the other Vikings quarterbacks during passing and accuracy drills recently.

Granted it's still early, but Cousins will eventually snap out of his funk and plead his case as the starting quarterback for the Vikings once again during training camp. However, Browning has shown a ton of potential early in training camp and has shown what he's capable of if the Vikings need him to step in during the season.

Danielle Hunter looks better than ever 

After missing the entire 2020-21 NFL season with a neck injury, Danielle Hunter is back on the field and once again looking like the Pro-Bowl caliber defensive end he has been in the past. Hunter has been playing with a ton of explosion and been blowing by offensive tackles with speed and strength.

This is a huge relief for the Vikings, especially since they weren't expecting to have Hunter back in action this soon and already playing at an elite level. Given the Vikings' recent additions of Patrick Peterson and Sheldon Richardson, getting Danielle Hunter back fully healthy heading into next season gives them another superstar on defense who will help make the Vikings a top-10 defensive unit in the league.