We're practically 24 hours out from the height of training camp.

Minnesota has exhibitions to play against New England on Saturday and at Tennessee on Aug. 22, but joint practices this week with the Patriots on Wednesday and Thursday are going to be ultra-competitive.

In contrast to the Vikings win over the Texans this past weekend, which featured 12 snaps for J.J. McCarthy and the starting offense, the two sold-out sessions at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center should include plenty of first-team reps.

By now, you're aware of what's happened at Vikings camp – McCarthy has had some sharp days; the front seven has wreaked havoc; Justin Jefferson is rehabbing a mild hamstring strain; and backup battles have emerged at certain positions, including on offense at quarterback, running back and tight end.

But what about New England's camp? What's the gist there? And what are some things to expect?

Chad Graff, who covers the Patriots for The Athletic, shared an article Tuesday that takes stock of what is known about New England so far – and what is not. It's a terrific primer for the upcoming joint practices.

Several of Graff's offensive notes are worth highlighting for Vikings fans.

First, the Patriots have configured a new-look offensive line, from left to right, of 2025 4^th overall draft pick Will Campbell, third-round rookie Jared Wilson, former Vikings center Garrett Bradbury, returning starter Mike Onwenu and veteran free agent Morgan Moses. Wilson might be winning the job over 2022 first-rounder Cole Strange.

At receiver, Graff claims the Patriots have a pair of players they can trust in DeMario Douglas and newcomer Stefon Diggs, who spent 2015-19 with Minnesota, 2020-23 with Buffalo and 2024 with Houston. Graff said he "doesn't look like a guy in his 30s, only nine months removed from an ACL tear."

Diggs nabbed 365 receptions for 4,623 yards and 30 touchdowns in five seasons for the Vikings before making four consecutive Pro Bowls with the Bills. He had a 47-496-3 receiving line in eight games last year.

Behind Douglas and Diggs, Graff stated no one has stepped up to claim the WR3 role in "no-doubt fashion" yet. He listed Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and rookie Kyle Williams as options with upside.

The quarterback front has a ton of intrigue between McCarthy, the 10^th choice in 2024, and the 3^rd pick that cycle, Drake Maye. Graff assessed that Maye's deep passes in practice look effortless (even if they're not always caught, he quipped) and is bullish on his long-term development, but doesn't think the dual-threat has been "so good" in camp he's ready to jump into the top 10 or 15 quarterback debate.

In 13 games and 12 starts as a rookie, Maye passed for 2,276 yards at a 66.6 percent clip, with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed 54 times for 421 yards (7.8 avg.) and two scores.

Maye scrambled for a walk-in touchdown against Washington in a blowout preseason win last week.

Additionally, Graff centered attention on rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, who dashed for six points on his first NFL touch, taking the opening kickoff the distance in the 48-18 win against the Commanders.

Graff labeled Henderson, an early second-round selection out of Ohio State, as a "big-play machine," writing the following: "A team that has had such little explosiveness on offense finally has a player who can break through for a big gain even when everything else feels stuck in the mud. That should make a big difference this season and might make Henderson the most exciting player to watch on offense."

The Patriots backfield houses Rhamondre Stevenson, as well. Stevenson rushed for more than 1,000 yards, with 5.0 yards a pop, just a few years ago. Henderson and Stevenson are receiving threats, too.

Read Graff's story, which also touches on New England's defense, here.

ESPN's Future Power Rankings

The Vikings recently were touted as having the NFL’s best coaching staff. They're set up incredibly well between the white lines, too, with a range of proven, high-performing pieces on both sides of the ball.

Obviously, much of the predicted success hinges in 2025 and beyond on the play of McCarthy.

Including his one exhibition last season with his return to the preseason in Saturday's win over Houston, the 22-year-old is 15-for-24 passing for 218 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and has tucked and run on three occasions for 26 yards. McCarthy only played 12 snaps against the Texans but did well.

His regular-season debut is on the horizon (Sept. 8 at Chicago).

Thanks to the franchise's infrastructure and efforts to buttress McCarthy's circumstances, there's a clear pathway to winning games right now. Additionally, there's a longer-term optimistic outlook for the team.

That's the conclusion ESPN contributors reached this week.

Analysts Ben Solak, Louis Riddick, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder on Monday put their heads together to determine which clubs are primed to be among the league's best the next three seasons (through 2027).

Their methodology averaged four ratings that were weighted to create an overall score: a team's quarterback situation (20%); non-QB roster makeup (30%); front office (25%) and coaching staff (25%).

After forming their hierarchy, aka Future Power Rankings, the experts identified reasons for optimism, reasons to worry, crucial stats/nuggets to keep in mind and one bold prediction for every organization.

We will cut to the chase now: Minnesota did not crack ESPN's Top 10 – but it is banging at the door.

The Vikings received the 11^th-highest score (82.4) and earned Top 10 distinction for coaching (5) and overall roster minus quarterback (10). Their front office was ranked 15^th in the NFL and QB situation 20^th.

Philadelphia (92.6), Baltimore (92.1), Kansas City (89.5), Buffalo (87.7), Detroit (87.2), Green Bay (86.2), Denver (85.0), Houston (84.1), San Francisco (83.5) and Washington (83.2) are rated ahead of Minnesota.

Frankly, it's a sign of respect to include the Vikings so high when McCarthy hasn't played a game yet.

Solak's assessment in the "reason for hope" section helps explain Minnesota's status: Tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill, and receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are a great offensive core.

Related to that group being uplifted or bogged down by McCarthy, the quarterback is featured as Riddick's "reason for concern." Riddick noted that McCarthy has all the physical and mental tools to succeed, plus the "best coaching staff one could ask for in O'Connell and QB coach Josh McCown."

Schatz pinpointed a pass-rushing statistic that is relevant to 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner's rookie production (3.0 sacks) – don't forget, however, snaps for Turner were scarce playing behind Jonathan Greenard (12.0 sacks), Andrew Van Ginkel (11.5) and Pat Jones II (7.0).

According to Schatz, 15 different edge rushers selected in the first round since 2015 have had three or fewer sacks in their first season. That group includes Will McDonald IV, who broke out with 10.5 in 2024.

Read the rest of ESPN's article here.

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