5 best training camp battles for Vikings in 2019

2. No. 3 receiver

Laquon Treadwell has not come close to living up to his billing as a first-round pick, and he’s in real danger of being cut before Week 1. The battle to be Minnesota’s No. 3 wide receiver is wide open, and during Cousins’ best seasons with Washington that was a valuable and productive player. The history of offenses run or influenced by new offensive assistant Gary Kubiak point away from the No. 3 wide receiver, and toward two- tight end sets, so it’s possible rookie second-round pick tight end Irv Smith Jr. essentially functions as the No. 3 passing game target.

Chad Beebe, Treadwell and Brandon Zylstra are the incumbents to be the third wide receiver, joined by free agent signing Jordan Taylor and rookies Dillon Mitchell and Olabisi Johnson. Taylor worked as the No. 3 receiver during early offseason work and Beebe has been tabbed as a potential front-runner to win the job. Jeff Badet is way in the background, and there’s some chance he winds up on the practice squad.

Having a third wide receiver that can catch the ball consistently, and do something with it when he does, would be nice for the Vikings. An injury to Stefon Diggs or Adam Thielen would also open up a bigger role for whoever wins the No. 3 job, so whoever it is better be able to perform capably.