Vikings' position-by-position breakdown

(Backups are listed in order of projected position on the depth chart)

QUARTERBACK

Starter: Tarvaris Jackson

Backups: Gus Frerotte, Brooks Bollinger, John David Booty

The skinny: Jackson showed improvement in the Vikings' offseason workouts but will begin to get a real test in training camp practices, which are far more intense. He went 8-4 in his first season as a full-time starter in 2007, but he also threw three more interceptions than touchdowns (12-9). Coach Brad Childress and Co. want to see Jackson make strides both as a player and a leader. There is no question this is Jackson's job to lose; the hope isn't that Frerotte will have to play, but rather that he can serve in a mentoring role.

RUNNING BACK

Starters: RB Adrian Peterson, FB Thomas Tapeh

Backups: RB Chester Taylor, RB Maurice Hicks, RB Albert Young, FB Naufahu Tahi, FB Jeff Dugan

The skinny: Peterson and Taylor gave the Vikings one of the NFL's best rushing tandems in 2007 and established a team record by combining for 2,185 rushing yards. Peterson should be the clear-cut starter and is expected to show improvement in his pass blocking. It will be interesting to see if the Vikings attempt to utilize Peterson and Taylor at the same time this season. Hicks will assume the No. 3 role formerly held by Mewelde Moore, who signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent. Tapeh takes over the lead blocking role that veteran Tony Richardson filled last season en route to earning a Pro Bowl berth.

TIGHT END

Starter: Visanthe Shiancoe

Backups: Jim Kleinsasser, Garrett Mills, Braden Jones

The skinny: Shiancoe is coming off a disappointing season in which he caught 27 passes and only one touchdown after signing a five-year, $18.2 million contract, which included $7 million in guarantees. However, he looked more comfortable during the June minicamp. Shiancoe's ability to be a reliable part of the passing game would be a big plus. Kleinsasser, entering his 10th season with the Vikings, has caught only 11 passes over the past two seasons but remains an excellent blocker. Mills was inactive for the first 15 games last season but showed good hands by catching two passes, both for first downs, in the regular-season finale at Denver.

WIDE RECEIVER

Starters: Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice

Backups: Bobby Wade, Robert Ferguson, Aundrae Allison, Jaymar Johnson, Martin Nance, Darius Reynaud, Daniel Davis, Nate Jones

The skinny: Berrian, Allison and Rice all have the potential to be downfield receiving threats and help the running game by loosening up defenses. Berrian was a key offseason addition and his presence should enable Wade to concentrate on playing in the slot. Wade had a team-leading and career-high 54 receptions last year. Allison could be the biggest surprise in camp. He caught only eight passes as a rookie but appeared much improved in offseason workouts. Position coach George Stewart puts a high priority on making sure his receivers are good blockers, and this undoubtedly will be a focus in camp.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Starters: LT Bryant McKinnie, LG Steve Hutchinson, C Matt Birk, RG Anthony Herrera, RT Ryan Cook

Backups: C John Sullivan, C Tim Mattran, G Artis Hicks, G Dan Mozes, G Brian Daniels, G Mike Jones, T Marcus Johnson, T Chase Johnson, T Drew Radovich

The skinny: The Vikings appear set with their starting five, although McKinnie could face a suspension from the NFL because of his off-the-field troubles stemming from a brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February. The most interesting thing will be to see who gets the majority of the work behind McKinnie in camp and thus would be most likely to step into the left tackle spot if he's suspended. Hicks, formerly the starting right guard, is the best bet for that role. Sullivan appears to be the favorite to eventually take over as the starting center for Birk, who is entering the final season of his contract. Mozes and Radovich, who was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Southern California, will be among those who get long looks. Radovich can play both guard and tackle.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Starters: LDE Ray Edwards, NT Pat Williams, DT Kevin Williams, RDE Jared Allen

Backups: DE Brian Robison, DE Jayme Mitchell, DE Kenderick Allen, DE Otis Grigsby, DE Martail Burnett, DT Ellis Wyms, DT Fred Evans, DT Letroy Guion, DT Leger Douzable

The skinny: Jared Allen will get plenty of attention, but the most interesting thing to watch among the starters will be Edwards' transition to playing the base end. Edwards, who tied for the team lead with five sacks last season despite being suspended for the final four games because he violated the NFL's steroid policy, said he played left end at Purdue and doesn't foresee it being a problem. Robison had 4 1/2 sacks as a rookie and will be Allen's backup. Mitchell will battle for playing time behind Edwards. The starting tackle spots are set with Pro Bowl players Kevin and Pat Williams. Wyms, a seven-year veteran, was signed as a free agent after spending last season with Seattle. He can play both inside and outside.

LINEBACKER

Starters: WLB Chad Greenway, MLB E.J. Henderson, SLB Ben Leber Backups: Heath Farwell, Derrick Pope, Vinny Ciurciu, Rufus Alexander, Erin Henderson, David Herron, J. Leman

The skinny: E.J. Henderson moved back to the middle last season and had a team-high 155 tackles along with 4 1/2 sacks. Greenway showed improvement throughout last season after sitting out his rookie year because of a knee injury, and Leber has proven to be a reliable presence. He tied for the team lead with five sacks in 2007. With Dontarrious Thomas gone, it's likely Farwell and Pope, signed as a free agent from the Miami Dolphins, will battle for the top backup job. Those two and Ciurciu will be key players on special teams. Alexander missed all of his 2008 rookie season because of a knee injury and will have to impress. Erin Henderson, E.J.'s kid brother, has plenty to prove after not being drafted last April.

CORNERBACK

Starters: LCB Antoine Winfield, RCB Cedric Griffin

Backups: Charles Gordon, Marcus McCauley, Benny Sapp, Dee McCann, Brandon Sumrall, Marcus Walker

The skinny: Winfield missed a career-high six games last season because of injury and is looking to rebound in his 10th year in the league. Winfield is only 5-9, but he is one of the Vikings' hardest hitters and provides stability to the secondary. Griffin did not have an interception in his first full season as a starter. McCauley began last season as the nickelback but lost that job to Gordon. McCauley, nonetheless, started nine games in part because of Winfield's injury troubles. Sapp was signed as a free agent and likely will stick on the roster.

SAFETY

Starters: FS Madieu Williams, SS Darren Sharper

Backups: Tyrell Johnson, Michael Boulware, Eric Frampton, Husain Abdullah

The skinny: Williams, who received a six-year, $34 million deal with $13 million in guarantees, is considered excellent in coverage. Although the coaching staff would never say it, his presence should enable Sharper to freelance a bit more often. Sharper has eight picks in two years since the Vikings went to the Tampa-2 as their base after having nine interceptions in 2005 in his first season with the team. Johnson, a second-round pick, should quickly ascend the depth chart. Boulware figures to see the majority of his time on special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K Ryan Longwell, Steven Hauschka P Chris Kluwe Long snapper Cullen Loeffler

KR Maurice Hicks, Aundrae Allison PR Bobby Wade

The skinny: Longwell made 20 of 24 field-goal attempts in 2007 but was 19-for-20 from inside 50 yards. He has not missed a field goal from less than 45 yards since joining the Vikings (29-for-29). Kluwe had the best season of his career in 2007 with a 44.7 gross average and 37.0 net average; he also set a franchise record with 34 punts inside the 20-yard line. Hicks had two 55-yard kickoff returns for the 49ers last Dec. 9 against the Vikings and appears to be the favorite to win that job. Allison, however, led the NFC and ranked third in the NFL with a kickoff return average of 28.7 yards last season. Wade and Mewelde Moore shared punt-return duties last year but with Moore gone, that job will be open for competition.