Some highlights from DPs link
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke looked sharp during the first day of practice. He delivered passes with improved arm strength and touch up the seam. He found wide receiver Rodney Adams on an out to the sideline, hitting him in stride as he broke to the sideline. He was most impressive on intermediate passes 15-20 yards down the field.
It is clear to see why so many draft experts were surprised to see running back Dalvin Cook slide down the draft board. Cook moves so well in space and cuts with above average fluidity in tight spaces. He is extremely elusive and makes defenders miss with his quick cutbacks. When he runs of out of the shotgun, he gets downhill quickly with impressive explosion. More importantly, he is patient and runs with excellent vision to find open rushing lanes.
Tight end Nick Trusedell got open on a crosser and turned on the jets as he motored into the second level of the defense. At 6-foot-6, 252 pounds, Truesdell flashed another gear in the open field. He is even bigger than one first imagined with his long legs and strong upper body. It is worth seeing him run more routes throughout camp, but he has a very intriguing skill-set when you evaluate his game in person.
At linebacker, Ben Gedeon looked very comfortable on the football field. He reacts very well to plays and isn’t afraid to square up in the gap to prepare for a run stop. His instincts and natural feel for the game really stood out as he manned the middle of the Vikings’ linebacker corps.
In the secondary, cornerback Tre Roberson stole the show. He picked up a tackle for loss in the backfield and a pass breakup on a throw intended for Mortiz Böhringer. Later in practice, he beautifully covered wide receiver Isaac Fruechte’s fade up the sideline. He shadowed him to the boundary, shifted his hips, and extended his arms to snatch the interception.
Kicker Marshall Koehn drilled all seven field goal tries, ranging from 33 to 50 yards
Punter Taylor Symmank punted with impressive hangtime and sported the big leg we saw in college