Minnesota Vikings training camp: 4 Position battles to watch

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 28: Everson Griffen #97 and Linval Joseph #98 of the Minnesota Vikings run out of the tunnel during pregame introductions before playing the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Defensive Tackle

Both defensive end and defensive tackle will be positions to closely monitor in training camp for various reasons. The Vikings have legitimate stars along the defensive line in Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph and Danielle Hunter, but behind them will be crucial battles between younger players for backup roles. The biggest question will be who replaces the now-departed Sheldon Richardson along the interior.

Veteran defensive tackle Shamar Stephen returns to the Vikings after spending 2018 with the Seattle Seahawks. Stephen signed a three-year deal to return after spending the first four years of his career in Minnesota. Behind Stephen is second-year defensive tackle Jalyn Holmes, who only saw action in five games as a rookie.

Former undrafted free agent Hercules Mata’afa has been the talk of the offseason, and remains a viable candidate to replace Richardson as the starting three-technique defensive tackle. Mata’afa tore his ACL in rookie minicamp in 2018, so for all intents and purposes 2019 may as well be his rookie season.

Third-year player Jaleel Johnson and rookies Armon Watts and Curtis Cothran round out the depth on the defensive interior. It’ll be interesting to see how many players general manager Rick Spielman elects to keep along the defensive line.

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