NFL Team Previews: Minnesota Vikings
The fourth and final team of my NFC North previews is the Minnesota Vikings, coached by Mike Zimmer and with Rick Spielman as the general manager. Last season, they managed to win the NFC North during the last game of the regular season over the Green Bay Packers, but failed on a missed field goal in a playoffs to get past the first round. This year, the hopes are high as they open their new stadium.
DRAFT RECAP: I know that Laquon Treadwell, WR out of Ole Miss, is probably their second best offensive threat already. We all realize that he is a good pass catcher. I want to talk about some of the steals the Vikings managed to find in the later rounds of the draft. ILB Kentrell Brothers of Missouri was one of the highest rated ILB's in the draft class, and yet he fell to the Vikings all the way to pick number 160, in the 5th round. A 6th round pick, who might turn into the biggest steal in the draft, is WR Moritz Boehringer who flashed unbelievable potential in Germany (yes, key words "in Germany"). But still, when will the NFL catch up with the NBA in regards to international prospects? It's got to be sometime, right? I think it's a smart 6th round pick. CB Mackensie Alexander out of Clemson was also noteworthy because he has first round talent, and now he is added to an elite secondary, and to eventually replace Terrance Newman.
FREE AGENCY: Two of the biggest signings the Vikings had in free agency were to boost their offensive line, as they signed two really good offensive linemen. G Alex Boone, a longtime San Francisco 49er, is now projected as their left guard and former Cincinnati T Andre Smith (who used to be coached by Zimmer) is now slighted in as the starting right tackle. Both guys are pro-bowl caliber linemen, and added to Matt Kalil and John Sullivan, the Vikings have one of the best lines in the NFL. Another big signing was S Michael Griffin to go opposite of S Harrison Smith, and he was a contributor, providing 101 tackles for the Tennessee Titans last season.
PLAYERS LOST: The Vikings didn't really lose much this free agency period. They let go of the underachieving WR Mike Wallace (at least since leaving Pittsburgh), and now he is in Baltimore hoping to revive that group of receivers. They also lost CB Josh Robinson to Tampa Bay, but who needs him with Newman, Alexander, Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Captain Munnerlyn. Five solid, or even above average corners, in my opinion. That's it, nobody else noteworthy left the Vikings.
STRONGEST POSITION: I'll go with running back here, because I haven't touched on Adrian Peterson yet, but also because I don't think it's fair to put down "entire defense". (there are really no holes in that defense that I see, they have a good player everywhere and great depth). Anyways, Adrian Peterson is what makes or breaks this Vikings team, and despite bringing in Laquon Treadwell, the offense still has a lot of questions. I think he has one more really, really good year left, and if the Vikings want to get him a ring, it's now. He's 31, and that is usually when running backs are done, but if there is any running back to give the benefit of the doubt to, it's him.
WEAKEST POSITION: Quarterback. Like I said, the Vikings appear to be stacked. Teddy Bridgewater is a decent quarterback, and definitely does not deserve a role as a backup. However, with the additions of Treadwell and Boehringer, I believe it is enough to boost the receivers ahead of Bridgewater as far as weaknesses are concerned. Kyle Rudolph is also a solid pass catching tight end, so that helps the receivers as well. Bridgewater just screams to me: starting quarterback, but not franchise quarterback.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS TO THE VIKINGS SUCCESS: RB Adrian Peterson, QB Teddy Bridgewater, S Harrison Smith, OLB Anthony Barr, C John Sullivan. Why John Sullivan? Well, the Vikings allowed Teddy Bridgewater to get sacked way too much last season, and part of that is due to the loss of John Sullivan for the season. Plus, centers are the guys on the O-Line who are responsible to calling pass protection, run blocking, etc. and are sometimes seen as the "glue guy" for the line. His re-addition is essential for the Vikings. Also, Harrison Smith and Anthony Barr are the two best players on that defense, so they are the guys who should be expected to lead.
PREDICTION: I predicted the Packers to win the Super Bowl (with bias), so unfortunately for you Vikings' lovers out there I'll have to predict you one game shy of the Pack, with high enough hopes of losing to us in the NFC Championship game. If I wasn't a Packers fan, I think the Vikings would be neck-in-neck with them, or maybe a tossup (that goes against the Packers, like usual). But, instead of letting my bias control your feelings, you should be flattered I think highly enough of this team to think they have a shot at the NFC title game.
