EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have quite a talented — and competitive — group of wide receivers.

It's fair to say the top three are set in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and free-agent acquisition Jauan Jennings, but how will the battle behind that trio shake out?

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell spoke with media members Thursday following the team's final Organized Team Activity practice of the week and spoke highly of the wide receivers group, which expanded earlier that day with the signings of Michael Briscoe and Trayvon Rudolph.

"I think it's really set up well right now with those three guys, adding a veteran player like Jauan to the mix to solidify the room as a whole," O'Connell said. "But then you look at Tai Felton — his improvement and his traits that he brings to the room that are clear every single day we're out here from a speed and explosiveness standpoint. He continues to grow.

"And obviously Myles Price has had, he would be right up there as far as impactful springs in his growth and development so far through six days and even beyond that in Phase 2," O'Connell continued.

He added there's "a whole bunch of guys competing" with Felton and Price.

"And that's where special teams comes into play, where clearly Tai and Myles have defined roles there," O'Connell noted. "But what else and how else can we make this competitive? We've got some young guys we're excited about, and we'll let those guys compete and battle, go get a ton of work … in the preseason games. It's about preparing yourself right now to attack that."

Below are four additional topics covered by O'Connell ahead of next week's mandatory minicamp.

1. A 'great spring' for Darrisaw

After suffering a significant knee injury Week 8 of the 2024 season and navigating an up-and-down recovery journey throughout last season, Christian Darrisaw has had a "great spring" according to O'Connell.

He said the left tackle has been participating "pretty much in totality."

"We're being smart with him, but at the same time, we're making sure he's part of this collective o-line group elevation that's happening," O'Connell said. "That group has a high standard for themselves. Christian has a very high standard for himself, and that's one of the reasons we're so excited to have him back and feeling healthy and feeling good."

O'Connell emphasized keeping Darrisaw, who turned 27 Tuesday, on a positive track all the way up to the season. The coaching staff will continue leaning on Vikings Vice President of Player Health & Performance Tyler Williams and staff to provide guidance on that track.

"That's why Tyler's so impactful and important," O'Connell said, "Because we shape all of their individual plans with making sure it's all in alignment [working toward] that home opener against Green Bay."

2. McCarthy & Murray learning together

During his media session, O'Connell was asked about how J.J. McCarthy has "handled" Minnesota's signing of veteran QB Kyler Murray this offseason. The two passers are currently competing for the starting role.

O'Connell said McCarthy has "handled it really well" and has been great in the meeting rooms.

"[He's] spending a little bit more time with those guys (other quarterbacks), and just the dialogue between the group, obviously the great questions you get from those guys as we're going through the installation process," O'Connell said. "We have guys that are all at different stages of not only their career but their understanding and application of our offense.

"So there's many times where Kyler may have a question that mirrors a question that J.J. had during his [time] on the grass last year and playing," O'Connell added. "And there's dialogue that comes — there's been tweaks to the offense that we've made off some of these conversations and dialogue, and he's (McCarthy) been great in the meeting room. He's been great on the grass and, as always, as a former, as a captain and a guy that helps lead our team, he's been phenomenal there as well."

O'Connell has the team vote on season-long captains each season after roster cutdowns. McCarthy was one of eight chosen by teammates ahead of 2025, his first season as Minnesota's starter.

3. Ingram-Dawkins boasts flexibility

The Vikings depth on the edge has been questioned a bit since the team traded Jonathan Greenard during the NFL Draft. One way to help offset that might be to have second-year defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins play some on the edge.

The 2025 fifth-round draft pick appeared in 14 games last season and made one start; he played 250 snaps on defense and 95 on special teams, recording 12 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, a QB hit and a pass defensed.

Ingram-Dawkins is someone to keep an eye on entering his second season, especially as he's able to work with new Defensive Running Game Coordinator Ryan Nielsen in addition to Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores and outside linebackers coach Thad Bogardus.

"One of the things we really liked about him was his versatility," O'Connell said. "He did a lot of different things at Georgia, and he's a really heavy presence on the edge. We're trying to run the ball out at that C-D gap out there, and then he's out there setting the edge; that's different.

"And then his versatility to kick inside," O'Connell continued. "I don't know if we'll see him get much tighter than maybe a 3, but from a 3-technique all the way out to the edge, that's a really versatile player. And then you pair that with what Caleb [Banks] can be from a versatile standpoint, really being from that 4-I, 5-technique on down, it's exciting."

Added O'Connell of Ingram-Dawkins: "He's had a really good spring, and for that Year 2 jump, we're hoping it's happening right now."

4. No timetable on Hitman decision

No official updates are available for the potential return — or equally potential retirement — of Harrison Smith.

And that's just fine by O'Connell, who's reiterated respect for and patience with "The Hitman" as he makes the best decision for him and his family.

"The only update I can give is he was in town and saw some folks. I didn't get to see him. I was incredibly hurt by that," O'Connell quipped. "And then in an attempt to play some golf with him, I was turned down. That's the only update that, kind of in embarrassing fashion, I'm willing to give today because that's really what it is right now."

Asked if he believes Smith still wants to play football, O'Connell explained he doesn't think it's that simple.

"You know what? I think Harrison Smith is going to want to play football until he's old and gray — which, the last time I checked, has not happened yet," he said.

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