2016 Outlook

Coaching Staff

HC: Mike Zimmer

OC: Norv Turner

DC: George Edwards

ST: Mike Priefer

Projected Depth Chart

Offense

QB.  Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill

RB. Adrian Peterson, Jerick McKinnon

FB. Zach Line

WR. Charles Johnson, Jarius Wright

WR. Laquon Treadwell, Cordarrelle Patterson

WR. Stefon Diggs

TE. Kyle Rudolph, MyCole Pruitt

LT. Matt Kalil, Jeremiah Sirles

LG. Alex Boone, Mike Harris

C. John Sullivan, Joe Berger

RG. Joe Berger, Brandon Fusco

RT. Andre Smith, T.J. Clemmings

Defense

DE. Brian Robinson, Danielle Hunter

DT. Sharrif Floyd, Tom Johnson

DT. Linval Joseph, Shamar Stephen

DE. Everson Griffen, Justin Trattou

OLB. Anthony Barr, Edmond Robinson

MLB. Eric Kendricks, Audie Cole

OLB. Chad Greenway, Emmanuel Lamur

CB. Terence Newman, Trae Waynes

SS. Andrew Sendejo, Antone Exum

FS. Harrison Smith, Michael Griffin

CB. Xavier Rhodes, Mackensie Alexander

NB. Captain Munnerlyn

Special Teams

K. Blair Walsh

P. Jeff Locke

Breakdown

Offense: 

If the Vikings are going to really compete for a title and not just be a 1 and done playoff team, the offense is simply going to have to play a lot better, it’s as simple as that. We know what Adrian Peterson is going to do. Unless he gets hurt, he’ll probably finish top 3 in the NFL in rushing. But for things to improve, it starts with QB Teddy Bridgewater. He enters his 3rd season and it’s simply time for him to grow up and start making more plays, there’s no other way to put it. He only had 14 passing TDs last year; that simply won’t get it done in the modern NFL. It’s not all on him though, the receiving corps is going to have to also play a lot better. The Vikings need more from Charles Johnson, who is now the veteran receiver of this group. He has some talent and, after breaking his rib last season, the hope is that he can stay healthy and potentially be the top option. Stefon Diggs was the team’s 5th-round pick and he gave them more than they could have ever hoped for as a rookie picked that low. I expect similar production from him this year as he should be more comfortable with more help around him. The biggest addition to this group was 1st-round pick Laquon Treadwell, who some believed to be the best receiver in the 2016 class. He’s a big, physical possession receiver that should be able to help immediately. At tight end, Kyle Rudolph isn’t very explosive, but he is a solid possession TE that is reliable around the red zone. He’ll never be a Pro Bowler, but he’s valuable to this team. The Vikings were decimated on the offensive line a year ago before the season even got started. John Sullivan looks to return to his starting center spot and return to Pro Bowl-caliber form after missing all of last season due to injury. The guard position should be be pretty good this year. The team went out and signed Alex Boone in free agency to start at LG, who was very good for years in San Francisco. The other guard spot is up in the air right now. Brandon Fusco is the guy that played it last year, but Joe Berger was so good last year filling in at center you have to believe the Vikings will give him the opportunity to push for playing time. The tackle position is where the most improvement is needed.  Matt Kalil hasn’t been healthy since 2013 and it’s really shown in his play over that time span. Former RT Phil Loadholt decided to retire, leaving the job to free agent acquisition Andre Smith, who underachieved last year in Cincy. Overall, there is plenty of talent on the offensive line and Peterson is as reliable as they come. But how effective will the passing game be? It’s honestly hard to say so I’ll take the “I’ll believe it when I see it” approach and say they still struggle in the passing game in 2016.

Defense: 

Defensively is where the Vikings are going to have to win games. They have all the pieces in place to be an elite defense. They could potentially have the best defensive line in all of football as they go legitimately 6 deep. They have a very good group of DTs with Shariff Floyd, who is an athletic prototype 3-technique that has the quickness to penetrate gaps and put pressure on QBs from inside. Next to him is Linval Joseph, who garnered as much praise as you’ll ever hear from a defensive lineman that only had 0.5 sacks in a season. Backing them up is Tom Johnson, who had 5.5 sacks last season in a reserve role and had 6 the year before. He has really carved out a nice role as a situational interior rusher on this team. They are loaded at defensive end as well. Everson Griffin is 1 of the best defensive ends in the NFL and on the other side is Brian Robinson who is 1 of the hardest working pass rushers around. Danielle Hunter, the team’s 2015 3rd-round pick, proved extremely valuable in his rookie year getting to the QB 6 times as a reserve. The Vikings have plenty of guys up front to rotate in and out, which makes them very dangerous. At linebacker the star of the group is Anthony Barr, who just continues to get better every year. As he enters his 3rd year, he has the potential to become the best defender on this roster. In the middle is Eric Kendricks, who is fresh off a very productive rookie campaign. He led the team in tackles, had 4 sacks and is pretty reliable in coverage. He, too, will also only get better. Chad Greenway has been this team’s weakside backer now since they drafted him in the 1st round in ’06. He’ll be there again, but it’s becoming clear that he’s on his last legs and that the end is very near for the veteran. The Vikings are incredibly deep at cornerback as they potentially go 5 deep at the position. Terence Newman is the number 1 guy. He’s been around forever and just still continues to play well. On the other side will be Xavier Rhodes who’s play has been up and down throughout his career but at his best he has pro bowl type ability. Veteran Captain Munnerlyn will man the slot. He thrives in zone coverage and has good instincts. Trae Waynes was the team’s 1st-round pick last season and Mackensie Alexander was their 2nd-round pick in this year’s draft. Both will push for that 4th spot on the depth chart. At free safety, Harrsion Smith looks to continue his excellent play. Andrew Sendejo will start again at strong safety; he’s good in run support but not great in coverage. Overall, I expect the Vikings to be 1 of the best defenses in the NFL.