All nine of the Vikings 2011 draft choices made the team. They had ten selections in the most recent draft. All of those payers compete at positions of siginificant need. Considering that and their abilities there is a better than decent chance that all ten make the team. In fact, I'd be pretty surprised if they didn't. That is an incredible infusion of youth in only two years.
With the recent release of kicker Ryan Longwell, there's about a 100% chance that at least three Vikings rookies will be in the starting lineup against the Indianapolis Colts on September 9. Sixth round kicker Blair Walsh is now the Vikings starting kicker. First round selections tackle Matt Kalil and safety Harrison Smith were drafted to start. Safety was perhaps the greatest talent void on the roster. Considering that void, Smith's teammate at Notre Dame and fifth round selection Robert Blanton has an excellent chance of starting as well. That would create a situation in which two rookies are starting at the increasingly more important position of safety. It's not ideal but it's better than the situation that the Vikings have put themselves in over the past few years. I love the potential of Smith and Blanton at the back of the Vikings defense. There might be some rookie mistakes back there, especially against quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and Matthew Stafford in the division, but I'll taking those learning mistakes over ineffective play any day. Free agent receiver Jerome Simpson was likely signed to start and take pressure off the incredible Percy Harvin. Unfortunately, Simpson is suspended for the first three games. That allows for the possibility of fourth round selection Greg Childs to break into the starting lineup, at least for those first three games. He has the size, 6'3" 220lbs, and the speed to be very effective down the field.
There are two other rookies that will likely be the punt and kick returners this season and perhaps for much longer. Childs' teammate at Arkansas and since their grade school days, receiver Jarius Wright will play a lot in the slot on offense. He's a very quick, shifty receiver. He will also be one of the main returners. Cornerback Josh Robinson will play a role in the return game as well. Both have outstanding speed. Robinson is likely the eventual starter at one of the corner spots. He and third-year Chris Cook could form a nice duo for a long time. It might be a stretch to expect Robinson to come in and start right away but stranger things have happened. He has the athletic skills to be an elite defender but it could serve him well to sit and watch a veteran like Antoine Winfield for a season.
The rest of the drafted rookies are tight end Rhett Ellison, linebacker Audie Cole and defensive lineman Trevor Guyton. All will have roles to play and be expected to make significant contributions on special teams. Cole, in particular, could have an expanded, early role. Middle linebacker is one of the bigger team concerns. Expected starter Jasper Brinkley is somewhat unproven and he's coming off a significant hip injury that cost him the entire 2011 season. It's certainly Brinkley's job to lose but if he stumbles it could open the door for Cole to be the sixth rookie starter.
The Vikings are definitely getting younger. Now, they have to get better.
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