The Vikings exploded to a 5-0 start last season thanks to one of the best defences in the NFL but it quickly went downhill and they finished 8-8. The offence still looks like it will be a problem with questions at running back, quarterback, offensive line and wide receiver. The defence will be what keeps the Vikings in the race for a wild card position with teams like the Panthers, Buccaneers, Cardinals and Lions.
Arrivals/Departures:
Arrivals: Datone Jones, Case Keenum, Latavius Murray, Ryan Quigley, Riley Reiff, Mike Remmers, Bishop Sankey
Departures: Audie Cole, Brandon Fusco, Chad Greenway, Mike Harris, Shaun Hill, Jake Long, Matt Kalil, Jeff Locke, Captain Munnerlyn, Cordarrelle Patterson, Adrian Peterson
Offence:
Teddy Bridgewater missed all of last season after his gruesome injury before the season started and he may never play again. Sam Bradford came in and set the NFL record for completion percentage in a season but that was mainly because he checks it down all the time. For the first time in a decade, Adrian Peterson is not the running back as this year it will go to rookie Dalvin Cook or Latavius Murray with Jerrick McKinnon backing them up. Stefon Diggs has shown flashes and should continue to grow as a receiver like Adam Thielen did in his breakout season last year. Last year's first-round pick Laquon Treadwell struggled in his limited snaps catching one pass and will need to improve in his sophomore season. Jarius Wright and Michael Floyd provide wide receiver depth with German Mortiz Boehringer. Kyle Rudolph was good last season providing a big target for Bradford to complement the speedy wide receivers. The offensive line got a makeover with two new tackles in Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers. Alex Boone remains the best lineman starting at left guard and Joe Berger starts at right guard. The center position will be won by either Nick Easton or Pat Elflein.
Defence:
The defence remains one of the best in the NFL and will help a weak offence stay in the playoff picture because of the talent on this side of the ball. Linval Joseph may be the best nose tackle in the NFL as he clogs up rushing lanes. Star pass rushers Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter will provide pressure of the edges with Tom Johnson playing defensive tackle. The Vikings have great depth at defensive end with Brian Robison and Datone Jones both providing pressure on the quarterback. Anthony Barr had an up-and-down season last year but when he is on form he is one of the best all-around linebackers in the game. Eric Kendricks continues to grow giving the Vikings a good option to captain the defence and Emmanuel Lamur starts at weak side linebacker. Xavier Rhodes emerged as a true shutdown corner last year shadowing the likes of Odell Beckham among others in his career campaign. Trae Waynes is a big risk taker at the other corner spot - either allowing big plays or makes them - while Terence Newman continues to defy age at the nickel spot. Harrison Smith still ranks among the best safeties even after a bad statistic season as he teams up with Andrew Sendejo at the safety position.
Special Teams:
Ever since costing the Vikings in the playoffs vs the Seahawks, Blair Walsh has been horrendous so they got rid of him and brought in average kicker Kai Forbath. Ryan Quigley will be the new punter giving Minnesota a new special teams unit. Marcus Sherels will be the punt returner again but rookie Rodney Adams will take over on kick returns.
Starters:
Offence
|
Defence
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Adam Thielen
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Danielle Hunter
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Stefon Diggs
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Linval Joseph
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Laquon Treadwell
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Tom Johnson
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Riley Reiff
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Everson Griffen
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Alex Boone
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Anthony Barr
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Nick Easton
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Eric Kendricks
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Joe Berger
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Emmanuel Lamur
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Mike Remmers
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Trae Waynes
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Kyle Rudolph
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Andrew Sendejo
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Sam Bradford
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Harrison Smith
|
Dalvin Cook
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Xavier Rhodes
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41. Dalvin Cook
70. Pat Elflein
109. Jaleel Johnson
120. Ben Gedeon
170. Rodney Adams
180. Danny Isidora
201. Bucky Hodges
219. Stacy Coley
220. Ifeadi Odenigbo
232. Elijah Lee
245. Jack Tocho
Top 10 Players:
10. Eric Kendricks
9. Stefon Diggs
8. Kyle Rudolph
7. Dalvin Cook
6. Sam Bradford
5. Everson Griffen
4. Anthony Barr
3. Linval Joseph
2. Harrison Smith
1. Xavier Rhodes
Season Prediction: 9-7 (2nd in NFC North)
Last Year: 8-8
Photo credit for Latavius Murray goes to http://www.sportsnet.ca/. Sam Bradford goes to http://www.foxsports.com/. Xavier Rhodes goes to http://www.vikings.com/. Harrison Smith goes to https://www.si.com/.
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