The Vikings surrendered the team’s first-round pick in a package to the Eagles with the Bradford trade. But thanks to last year’s trade with Miami they’ll get an additional third and fourth-round pick to make up for it. Considering how good this draft is supposed to be in the very area where they have the meat of their selections the Vikings could still end up with quality impact talent if Spielman makes the right calls.
If Coach Mike Zimmer is going to be able to dominate on defense it’s incumbent on G.M. Rick Spielman to provide him with more talent up-front. But without a first-round pick it’s up to Spielman to work some magic in the middle rounds for Zimmer’s vision to come true.
Key additions
DE Datone Jones
OT Riley Reiff
OT Mike Remmers
QB Case Keenum
RB Latavius Murray
Key subtractions
CB Captain Munnerlyn
FB Zach Line
LB Chad Greenway
OG Brandon Fusco
OL Andre Smith
OT Matt Kalil
P Jeff Locke
RB Matt Asiata
RB Adrian Peterson
TE Rhett Ellison
WR Charles Johnson
WR Cordarrelle Patterson
Priority needs (Offense)
QB…The Vikings probably won’t address this position, but they should. Both Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater have dealt with serious knee injuries and there is doubt that Bridgewater will be able to fully recover. No one is saying Spielman needs to treat this like a priority, but adding Case Keenum in free agency shouldn’t prevent him from taking a chance on a mid-round player like Brad Kaaya, Nathan Peterman or Davis Webb. And I don’t want to hear that nonsense anymore about carrying four quarterbacks. If you don’t think you have a franchise player at that position then why on earth would you worry about a single spot on the roster when those fringe talents at the end of the 53-man are interchangeable on a weekly basis? Enough already.
RB…With a quarterback like Bradford who doesn’t stretch opposing defenses and a free agent running back like Latavius Murray who doesn’t flash breakaway talent it would be a good idea for Spielman to look for more talent here. Joe Mixon or Kareem Hunt would be nice picks in the second-round or you could add a player with better than average receiving skills like Jeremy McNichols in the third or fourth-round or someone with excellent return ability like TJ Logan in the fourth or fifth.
WR…This position depends on the faith and development of last year’s first-round pick Laquon Treadwell. With the loss of Cordarrelle Patterson and his premier kick return skills the Vikings will have to search for his replacement and Carlos Henderson as a mid-round pick would be the best choice.
OL…Spielman will have to pick-up a starting guard or a center since former Ivy Leaguer Nick Easton did not impress and sixth-round rookie Willie Beavers wasn’t ready. Versatile Joe Berger will occupy the other spot alongside steady veteran Alex Boone.
Priority needs (Defense)
DL…Sharrif Floyd missed the season with a knee injury and Brian Robison is showing his age. Even with Danielle Hunter on the rise following a breakout season the Vikings still need to upgrade here. Another tackle alongside Linval Joseph and a strong-side run stopper would make sense.
OLB…There is an open spot now that Chad Greenway has retired. If Zach Cunningham were available at 48 or Anthony Walker a bit later they should both be considered there.
CB…The Vikings had a decent secondary last season, but Terence Newman is 38 and Xavier Rhodes is playing for a pay day and needs to show he’s worth it. The state of this position probably rests with the continued development of 2015 first-round pick Trae Waynes and 2016 second-round pick Mackensie Alexander who dealt with a myriad of injuries as a rookie. If Zimmer has faith both players can handle more of a workload then this won’t be a priority.
Priority needs (Special Teams)
P…Jeff Locke is in Indianapolis so the Vikings need a punter. If they look to the draft then Austin Rehkow from Idaho could be the only one drafted late.
Final analysis
When Spielman traded for Bradford he surrendered the team’s first-round pick in a package to the Eagles. Now the Vikings won’t be able to make a selection until Friday with the 48th pick, but thanks to last year’s trade with Miami they’ll get an additional third and fourth-round pick to make up for it. Considering how good this draft is supposed to be in the very area where they have the meat of their selections the Vikings could still end up with quality impact talent if Spielman makes the right calls.
Top second-round options
CB Fabian Moreau
OLB Charles Harris
OLB Takkarist McKinley
OLB TJ Watt
OLB Jordan Willis
WR Chris Godwin
WR Curtis Samuel
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