Every day it seems Myles Price is gaining traction.

There's legitimate excitement, of course, for him to run it back as an electrifying return man for the Vikings. Price said recently that his next step is to help the offense by finishing returns for touchdowns.

That's a reasonable goal after smashing the franchise record for combined kick and punt return yards in a season — and doing it without a score in either discipline. It's not the only goal on his radar, though.

Price is firmly in the mix on offense this year thanks to a strong spring and a consistent training camp.

Now, there's some national buzz about the small but quick and fearless receiver, whom teammates and coaches call "Jug." Rob Rang of FOX Sports on Thursday identified Price as his second-year Viking primed for a breakout. Rang selected one Year 2 player from each NFC squad and wrote the following of Price:

The former undrafted free agent from [Indiana, by way of Texas Tech] generated a whopping 1,777 all-purpose yards as the Vikings starting punt and kickoff returner, finishing third among all NFL players. Minnesota has several quality candidates pushing Price for the returner job — including 2025 third-round wideout Tai Felton and 2026 sixth-round running back Demond Claiborne. But the vision, elusiveness and burst Price demonstrated as a returner could also make him a dangerous target out of the slot, though he'd need to take real strides in this area after seeing just a few snaps at receiver (17) as a rookie.

Price worked extensively in the offseason to improve his route running and said he's more comfortable in the offensive huddle after getting a hold of the system. Practice actions have verified his perspective.

Elsewhere in the NFC North, Rang pinpointed three other receivers: Chicago's Luther Burden III, who is dealing with an injury and really came onto the scene late last season, posting approximately half of his 652 receiving yards in Weeks 14-18 (he didn't play in Week 16); Detroit's Isaac TeSlaa, who finished as one of five rookies with six TD catches — second most to Carolina's Tetairoa McMillan; and Green Bay's Matthew Golden, who was the fourth receiver drafted (No. 23 overall) and had a breakout playoff game.

A major difference between them and Price is that trio was drafted in the Top 70 slots.

Curious about the other second-year players that Rang wrote about? Read his conference listing here.

O-line power rankings

Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus is rolling out offensive line rankings each week this year.

He started the exercise Wednesday, ahead of Preseason Week 1, and he is fairly high on Minnesota.

McGuinness ranked the Vikings starting five of Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Will Fries and Brian O'Neill as the 12^th-best unit in the NFL, right behind the Rams and in front of the Patriots.

McGuinness zeroed in on the left side of the o-line in his assessment:

Darrisaw has missed significant time over the past two seasons but was one of the best left tackles in football when healthy between 2022 and 2023. If he can stay healthy, he could form one of the best left sides of the line in football with Jackson at left guard if the second-year player can develop as expected.

The entire Vikings front line definitely has the potential to be elite.

Darrisaw and Jackson were first-round picks in 2021 and 2025 and look like future Pro Bowlers. Fries is one of the league's highest-paid guards and teammates have raved about his conditioning and ability; he should benefit from a healthy offseason after rehabbing a broken leg he suffered with the Colts up until the start of training camp last year. O'Neill was recently awarded a contract extension and is a pillar of the franchise — not to mention one of the top players at his position. And Brandel, albeit he's a first-year center after a trial run in some games last season, has the size and smarts to be a very solid anchor.

For what it's worth, McGuinness' Top 5 OL units are Denver, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis and Chicago. His bottom three are Jacksonville, Cleveland and Washington. Check out his full ranking here.

Visit 2026 Vikings Training Camp.

See the Vikings 2026 Schedule.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.

See more about the 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota.