5 Wide Receiver Training Camp Battles to Watch This Offseason

Minnesota Vikings

The turnaround for Charles Johnson's career was a swift one.

Waived by the Browns at the end of the 2014 preseason, Johnson's on-field talents would land him a starting role on the Vikings by Week 12 of the season. Racing past Cordarrelle Patterson as the apple of Teddy Bridgewater's eye, Johnson amassed 328 yards and 2 touchdowns from Week 12 onward. And at the start of this offseason, Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner continued Johnson's ascent, calling him "far and away" the team's best receiver.

But just as suddenly as it started, Johnson's rising stock came to a sudden halt when the Viking's sent a fifth-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Wallace.

The trade for Wallace, along with expectations that tight end Kyle Rudolph will take on a more prominent role in the passing game and the return of star running back Adrian Peterson to the roster, means that Johnson's role in this offense may not be as clear-cut -- or as prominent -- as it seemed just a few months ago.

But despite all this competition for touches on this roster, if Johnson can fight his way past Wallace and company to claim the number-one wide receiver slot in Norv Turner's pass-friendly system, then his rare combination of size, height, and speed gives him elite wide receiver upside for Minnesota.