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Minnesota Vikings training camp: 4 Position battles to watch

By Joe Kipp

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: Kyle Sloter #1 and Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings warm up before the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: Kyle Sloter #1 and Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings warm up before the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on August 24, 2018 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 27: Pat Elflein #65 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts on the sideline after the Vikings fumbled the ball during closing minutes of the game against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 27: Pat Elflein #65 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts on the sideline after the Vikings fumbled the ball during closing minutes of the game against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

3. Offensive Guard

The Vikings undoubtedly got better on paper along the offensive line this offseason, particularly along the interior. One of the biggest position battles to watch out for during training camp will be both guard positions.

After drafting center Garrett Bradbury in the first round of this year’s draft, former starting center Pat Elflein figures to slide into left guard. Elflein played guard for the majority of his college career at Ohio State. The Vikings also signed veteran lineman Josh Kline, who projects to be the starter right guard. Kline was released by the Tennessee Titans earlier in the offseason.

But the starting role won’t just be handed to either of Elflein or Kline. Both will have stiff competition after the Vikings drafted Dru Samia in the fourth round this past April, a player who many thought would go much higher in the draft. The veterans are the favorites to win the starting jobs, but don’t count out Samia as a legitimate option. Samia had 48 starts in four years at Oklahoma.

Danny Isidora, Dakota Dozier and Aviante Collins are other options who will fight for backup roles along the interior. Collins remains the favorite to make the roster among the three, considering he has the ability to play both guard and offensive tackle.

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