Vikings OTAs: Sam Darnold's past can help his future and more things we learned during Week 1

2. The tight end position is all but locked up

The Vikings have some things to figure out on both sides of the ball, but the addition of veteran tight end Robert Tonyan has all but locked up the tight end room. The addition makes sense since it's looking more and more like T.J. Hockenson will start the year on the physically unable to perform list. Meaning, he'd miss the first four games of the regular season, at minimum.

"Robert Tonyan had a great workout for us... it was kind of one of those workouts where you just watch the guy run and catch and [he] understands what you're asking him to do from his experience. And it was kind of a no-brainer - everyone just looked around and said, Yea. You know, like, Let's get him," said Phillips. "So, I think he's really going to help us and obviously, with TJ being out, I think Robert can kind of fill some of those some of those roles that TJ did for us.

"[There's] a lot of production from TJ that we're gonna miss, for a little bit. And I think he can pick up a good amount of that slack."

The staff obviously loves Josh Oliver and Johhny Mundt, so the first two tight end positions are locked up. After Tonyan, it's Nick Muse, rookie undrafted free agent Trey Knox, and International Pathway Program player Sammis Reyes. Three tight ends, plus Hockenson on PUP (his roster spot wouldn't count toward the 53-man limit), is a feasible idea and it looks like the Vikings already have their guys if they go that direction.

3. Matt Daniels has a plan when it comes to figuring out the NFL's new kickoff rule

The Vikings special teams coach welcomes the challenge that is the new kickoff rule and he made a good point on Tuesday about how teams will get more reps to practice since players are no longer running 25-yards downfield to get to the returner.

That's big because Daniels is taking one step at a time when it comes to figuring everything out.

"You have to be very specific and focus on one phase at a time, because there are so many different nuances from a kickoff standpoint, formation standpoint, and from a kickoff return standpoint," said Daniels. "So, we're gonna focus on kickoff and [then] kickoff return. You kind of have to have a day where we're solely focusing on kickoff and a day where we're solely focusing on kickoff return, just because there are so many nuances built into the new rule." 

"I love it," he later continued. "That's the beauty of it, especially when you start talking about it from a special teams standpoint. You have to be able to adapt, you have to be able to adjust and it requires us, now, with it being a new rule, no one has done it [nor] seen it before. You really have to put your coaching hat on and really get to work. I'm excited about it."

4. Kickoff personnel will look a lot different and more starters might play on special teams

The new kickoff rules are honestly one of the more exciting components of this offseason. It's going to be a lot of fun watching teams maneuver through this and figure out how to maximize the kick/return units. When it comes to rosters, they could look different than what we are used to seeing, in terms of numbers at certain position groups.

Such as, teams typically don't carry more than four safeties. Well, that may change if a coaching staff feels like a guy listed as a safety could play returner or play on the kick unit. And then, so on and so forth.

"The personnel is going to be huge in terms of who you can put out there you know, because you eliminate the 25 yards," said Daniels. "Maybe you can get a Cam Bynum, Ivan Pace, you know, more starters on defense out there, because now it's more close proximity, close quarter combat, and you don't have to worry about those guys running down, and taking breath away from their first defensive snap...

"... There's going to be different ways you can [and] want to play with, in terms of who's going to be out there." 

This will be nearly intoxicating to track -across the NFL- during the summer months.

5. Phillips feels good about Blake Brandel as the starting left guard

Brandel has been pegged as the presumed starter at left guard and he's definitely going to get his opportunity to prove that he can be the guy.

So far, the coaches like what they see. Specifically, Phillips. But, as we all know, the true evaluation of the trenches doesn't start until the pads come on. Still, it's encouraging to hear that things are going well.

"I'm really excited about Blake," said Phillips. "I feel like he gets bigger every time I see him. He's just a massive man on the inside, in there. But he's in great shape. He's always been very coachable. You talk about technique fundamentals, footwork, hand placement - all the things that are critical for the o-line. You know, one false step for an o-lineman could be a catastrophe. So it's been very encouraging so far with him stepping into that starting spot on the left, there.

"And I think it'll only grow from there, [with] the more experience [and] the more reps he gets. He's been a guy that, anytime he's been put in a game at several positions, has come through for us. And we haven't forgotten that and I think he's earned this opportunity."

If Brandel proves his coaches right, the Vikings will have one of the better offensive lines in the NFL. Led by one of the league's best tackle duos in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill, Brandel would then solidify an interior made up of himself, center Garrett Bradbury, and right guard, Ed Ingram. The unit would easily be in the upper-half of the league, maybe even top-12, depending on how well Brandel plays.

The Vikings will resume OTAs on Tuesday, May 28. Per the team's NFLOMG account, defensive line coach Marcus Dixon, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, wide receiver Jordan Addison, cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. will speak to the media on Wednesday, May 29 at 2:50p.m. ET