Vikings’ Roster Needs: OL, DL, CB, LB, TE
Sean Borman
|
By signing free agents Kirk Cousins and Sheldon Richardson and trading for Trevor Siemian, the Minnesota Vikings have shored up the quarterback position and strengthened an already-stout defensive line. The team also addressed the offensive line by signing former Bears guard/tackle Tom Compton.
Still, Minnesota lost key role players like OL Joe Berger, OL Jeremiah Sirles, RB Jerick McKinnon, WR Jarius Wright, DT Tom Johnson, DT Shamar Stephen, and LB Emmanuel Lamur. Not to mention three unnamed quarterbacks. (For a complete look at all the offseason transactions, head to VT’s Free Agency Tracker).
With depth at number of positions still needing to be addressed, particularly on the offensive line, the Vikings will look to the draft for help. With the seven-round event now less than a month away, here’s how the team’s positional needs are broken down in the draft, per Pro Football Focus.
Offensive line
- Top-end = Average
- Depth = Strong
The Vikings have four returning starters from last season; Riley Reiff (Age 29), Nick Easton (25), Pat Elflein (23), and Mike Remmers (28). The fifth spot remains up for grabs. Newly acquired Tom Compton (28) could be asked to start or compete with Danny Isidora (23) at right guard following Joe Berger’s retirement.
The team also signed Josh Andrews (26) off the Eagles’ practice squad following the season. He’ll compete with linemen Rashod Hill (26), Dieugot Joseph (24), Cornelius Edison (24), Aviante Collins (24), Cedrick Lang (25) and Storm Norton (23) for a spot on the Vikings’ roster.
This year’s draft features a deep class of offensive lineman. While the expectation is the team will select one in the early rounds, the top-end talent is only considered average by PFF standards. It’s possible the Vikings could choose to address another position first before devoting one or multiple mid-round picks to shoring up the o-line. After all, the franchise should be looking to protect its $84-million investment.
How the draft plays out will basically determine where the Vikings play Mike Remmers. He’s capable of starting at either guard or tackle.
Cornerback
- Top-end = Strong
- Depth = Average
Outside of starters Xavier Rhodes (27) and Trae Waynes (25), the Vikings only have Mackensie Alexander (24) and Horace Richardson (24) under contract at cornerback. It remains to be seen if Minnesota will make room for veterans Terence Newman (39) and Marcus Sherels (30) on the roster.
Depending on what occurs with Newman and Sherels, cornerback appears to be another position the Vikings will likely address at some point in the draft.
Linebacker
- Top-end = Strong
- Depth = Strong
Alongside starters Anthony Barr (26) and Eric Kendricks (26), rookie Ben Gedeon (23) had an impressive season. Outside of those three players, the Vikings don’t need much help at linebacker. The team lost Emmanuel Lamur this offseason but Eric Wilson (23), Kentrell Brothers (25) and Antwione Williams (24) remain on the roster.
Still, it would be nice for Minnesota to acquire some depth and young talent at the position. The contracts of Barr and Kendricks are up after the season and all three divisional opponents acquired tight ends in free agency. The Packers signed Jimmy Graham, the Bears acquired Trey Burton and the Lions picked up Luke Willson. Finding another athletic linebacker capable of covering those guys one-on-one could provide Barr and Kendricks with more opportunities to rush and rest, making the Vikings No. 1 defense even more difficult to defend.
Tight end
- Top-end = Strong
- Depth = Strong
Speaking of tight ends, the Vikings have two good ones in Kyle Rudolph (28) and David Morgan (24). Filling out the position are Blake Bell (26) and Josiah Price (24). Bell has some NFL experience but he only had three catches last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 14. The Vikings have been searching for another athletic receiving threat to pair with Rudolph for years. Considering the draft is strong in both top-end talent and depth at the position, look for the Vikings to add a young, field-stretching tight end with one of their eight selections.
Interior defender depth
- Top-end = Weak
- Depth = Average
The Vikings signed 3-technique Sheldon Richardson (27) to a one-year, $8 million deal this offseason. He will pair with nose tackle Linval Joseph (29) to form one of the most formidable interior defensive line duos in the NFL. The starters are not the issue here, depth is. The only other defensive tackles on the roster at the moment are Jaleel Johnson (23) and Dylan Bradley (23). Bradley was on the team’s practice squad last season. Look for Minnesota to add depth here in free agency or the draft.
Edge defender depth
- Top-end = Average
- Depth = Weak
Considering the Vikings already have options on the roster outside of starters Danielle Hunter (23) and Everson Griffen (30), there’s not much need for defensive ends in the draft. Tashawn Bower (23), Stephen Weatherly (24), Brian Robison (34), and Ifeadi Odenigbo (23) highlight the team’s depth at edge defender. However, head coach Mike Zimmer has recently shown an interest in rotating his defenders more often, so it’s possible Minnesota targets a young pass-rusher at some point in the draft.
Wide receiver depth
- Top-end = Weak
- Depth = Strong
Having both Adam Thielen (27) and Stefon Diggs (24) on the roster gives the Vikings one of the best receiving duos in the NFL. After that, it’s a question mark. Filling out the WR depth chart are former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell (22), second-year man Stacy Coley (23), practice squad standout Cayleb Jones (25) and former CFL star Brandon Zylstra (25). Since the draft is deep at the position and the Vikings have had success with late-round receiver selections, odds are the team will address WR depth on draft day. Targeting a player with kick return experience makes sense for Minnesota.