Best battles brewing on the depth chart

NICKEL BACK

Marcus McCauley vs. Dovonte Edwards

These two figure to be the main contenders to serve as the third cornerback on passing downs. Both got substantial reps with the first-team defense during offseason workouts. A third-round pick from Fresno State, McCauley lacks experience, but scouts considered him a top-notch cover corner before he struggled his senior season. Edwards, who made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2005, appeared in good position to win the nickel role last year before a broken arm ended his season in the final exhibition game. Charles Gordon also figures to get a look.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Bobby Wade, Troy Williamson, Billy McMullen, Sidney Rice, etc.

Coach Brad Childress has attempted to compare the concerns he has heard about the receiver position to the worries he listened to last summer regarding the Vikings linebacker corps. That position, of course, turned out to be a strength. Could it be just wishful thinking on Childress' part that everything will be all right this time?

Wade, who signed as a free agent after playing the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, might be the only player at this position group assured of seeing substantial playing time. Wade is primarily a slot guy and has 101 catches, for 1,199 yards and two touchdowns in four NFL seasons.

After Wade, it could be a wide-open competition. Williamson, the seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft, has been a disappointment to date, but the Vikings are hopeful he can turn things around after an offseason of work that included spending time with a Nike vision consultant.

Rice, a second-round pick in the April draft, figures to make a bid for substantial playing time and could be the Vikings' greatest hope for a big-play guy.

After that the possibilities range from a veteran such as McMullen to seventh-round pick Chandler Williams to free agent and former college track and field standout Todd Lowber, who has never played a down of football in his life.

RIGHT TACKLE

Ryan Cook vs. Marcus Johnson

The two second-round picks (Cook in 2006, Johnson in 2005) figure to have the best competition on the offensive line. A former college center, Cook remains low on experience at tackle. Nonetheless, he finished last season as the starter at this position and figures to be with the first team when workouts begin Friday in Mankato. Johnson was the starter for the first 10 games of 2006 before suffering an ankle injury. The coaching staff stuck with him even when he struggled, so it's evident they saw something they liked. Former Vikings coach Mike Tice used to talk about the similarities he saw between Johnson and former Vikings All-Pro guard Randall McDaniel, so clearly the third-year player from Mississippi has skills.

LEFT DEFENSIVE END

Kenechi Udeze vs. Darrion Scott

Udeze was out of his element for much of last season, having been moved from left end to the right side to replace the injured Erasmus James. Nonetheless, Udeze still should have been able to record at least one sack. He didn't. The Vikings have moved Udeze back to his more natural position and say he will remain there, but that doesn't mean he's a lock for the starting spot. Scott has begun the past two seasons as a reserve but each time has worked his way into a starting job. Last year, he finished with a team-leading 5½ sacks. Scott certainly isn't going to sit back and give up the job without a battle.

RIGHT DEFENSIVE END

Ray Edwards vs. Brian Robison

This figures to be Erasmus James' job once the Vikings are convinced the 2005 first-round pick has fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his 2006 season. But James won't be rushed back, and that figures to create some competition at this position. Edwards and Robison will be two of the players to get significant looks. Taken in the fourth round of the 2006 draft, Edwards showed flashes of pass-rushing ability as a rookie and had three sacks. The athletic Robison, meanwhile, is a player the Vikings liked so much that they made a deal with Tampa Bay to move up in the fourth round of this year's draft. Robison had 15 sacks and 57 quarterback pressures in four seasons at Texas.

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com