3 key Vikings position battles to watch

As they rebuild, the Vikings will have hotly contested training camp battles at nearly every position. Three of the best will involve right guard, safety and wide receiver.

The Vikings are in rebuilding mode, so there are few positions that won’t have a good battle taking place -- but here are three to keep an eye on during training camp.

1. RG -- Brandon Fusco vs. Geoff Schwartz. With the departure of RG Anthony Herrera, the position is wide open, but Fusco, a second-year OL, could have the inside track. The team is determined to go young, and Fusco showed promise last season backing up at both RG and C. He came to OTAs in better shape and the coaching staff is high on his aggressiveness. The team signed former Panthers OL Schwartz, who brings veteran experience to the position, but he missed last season with a hip injury. Fusco is familiar with the Vikings system, is focusing solely on guard and the position could be his to lose.

2. S -- Jamarca Sanford vs. Mistral Raymond vs. Harrison Smith. Last season Sanford, an FS, and Raymond, a rookie SS, were the only two starting safeties left standing because of injuries, but neither is a shoo-in to start. According to coach Leslie Frazier, Raymond gained valuable experience and confidence when he was thrown into the mix late last season, but his tackling needs to improve. First-round draft pick Harrison Smith will be given every opportunity to grab a starting job, but the hard-hitting Sanford started 15 games last season, and is the incumbent at FS. The Vikings will start the best two players, so the safety positions are up for grabs, and will be worth watching in camp.

3. WR -- Michael Jenkins vs. the Field. There are several questions surrounding the Vikings at WR with 2011 leading pass catcher Percy Harvin reportedly requesting a trade, Jenkins, the other starter, returning from knee surgery and free agent acquisition Jerome Simpson sitting out the first three games with a suspension. The talented Harvin and speedy Simpson will start, but the veteran Jenkins may be in for a challenge. Two promising rookies drafted in the fourth round from Arkansas -- Jarius Wright and Greg Childs -- could push for playing time, and returning vets Devin Aromashodu and Stephen Burton will be in the mix. The team finished last season with six WRs on the roster (two on IR), so the battle will be intense.