WR Cordarrelle Patterson — If you haven't already, check out Matt Vensel's story on Patterson trying to resurrect his career in Minnesota. The 25-year-old former first-round pick hasn't started a game for the Vikings in nearly two years. He's expected to make his preseason debut after a sprained AC joint in his shoulder held him back in Cincinnati. Patterson is one of the league's best kick returners, but has the talent to do much more. Can he show he's reliable as a receiver entering his fourth NFL season?
DT Shamar Stephen — He may be hard to keep track of in the trenches, but keep a keen eye on No. 93 tonight. Stephen, a 2014 seventh-round pick entering his third season, has moved from his natural position at nose guard to fill in for Floyd at defensive tackle this summer. A la Tim Duncan, Stephen is nicknamed by his position coach the 'Big Fundamental' and has been given many opportunities to show he'll be ready should either defensive tackle, Floyd or Linval Joseph, go down in the regular season.
OT Andre Smith — A rocky start in Cincinnati led to Smith working with the backups on Sunday for the first time in five practices. Smith and last year's starter, T.J. Clemmings, rotated snaps with the starters this week though it'd be a surprise if Smith didn't start tonight. On a one-year, $3.5 million deal, Smith has another chance to rid doubt from coaches' minds in his bid to be the right tackle. It comes against a similar Seahawks defensive line that twice gave the Vikings fits last season.
CB Trae Waynes — Waynes, the 11th-overall pick in 2015, started last week in Cincinnati and looked serviceable, though head coach Mike Zimmer was quick to point out his subtle errors that led to some underneath completions. After sitting out last week, veteran Terence Newman returned to practice and his starting spot at left cornerback. Waynes could take another step toward that job by showing coaches he learned from those mistakes.
