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NFL • 10 months ago

5 Minnesota Vikings Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

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5 Minnesota Vikings Who Need to Step Up During 2015 OTAs

Cordarrelle Patterson Minnesota Vikings — The Minnesota Vikings seem to have a bright future, with what looks like a long-term solution at quarterback and a no-nonsense head coach.

It remains to be seen if running back Adrian Peterson will report for mandatory offseason work, assuming he's still on the team at that point. But here are five Vikings that need to step up during OTAs.

The Minnesota Vikings seem to have a bright future, with what looks like a long-term solution at quarterback and a no-nonsense head coach.

It remains to be seen if running back Adrian Peterson will report for mandatory offseason work, assuming he's still on the team at that point. But here are five Vikings that need to step up during OTAs.

5. LB Audie Cole

5. LB Audie Cole

Cole has been productive when given an opportunity to play a lot, and second-round pick Eric Kendricks is now around to keep him down the depth chart. I don't think Cole is in danger of losing a roster spot, but if he can stand out during OTAs the Vikings' defensive coaches will have to take notice.

4. TE Kyle Rudolph

4. TE Kyle Rudolph

The key for Rudolph going forward is health, since he has missed 15 games over the last two seasons. The Vikings drafted a tight end this year (MyCole Pruitt), and added NFC Championship Game goat Brandon Bostick as well, but a healthy Rudolph is the team's No. 1 tight end and he can start to build great rapport with Teddy Bridgewater during OTAs.

3. WR Jarius Wright

3. WR Jarius Wright

Wright has had some good moments through his first three seasons, but now looks like the time for him to step up and take a prominent, consistent role. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, OTAs will provide the first step toward that.

2. CB Josh Robinson

2. CB Josh Robinson

Robinson made my list of veterans who will be cut in training camp, and I still think that is likely to happen. But good work during OTAs could change things, and at least leave the Vikings with a potentially tough decision heading into camp.

1. WR Cordarrelle Patterson

1. WR Cordarrelle Patterson

Patterson fell out of favor with the new coaching staff last season, but the news has been positive about his offseason work up to this point. More good news that comes out of OTAs should be taken with a grain of salt, but Patterson needs to keep up the positive momentum.

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Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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