State Of The Vikings

As I see it, here's how the Minnesota Vikings roster stands about a month before the draft.

WR  Greg Jennings
   T   Matt Kalil
   G  Charlie Johnson
   C  John Sullivan
   G  Brandon Fusco
   T  Phil Loadholt
TE   Kyle Rudolph
WR Jerome Simpson
QB  Christian Ponder
FB   Jerome Felton
RB  Adrian Peterson
 K   Blair Walsh

DE  Jared Allen
NT  Letroy Guion
UT  Kevin Williams
DE  Brian Robison
LB   Chad Greenway
MLB
LB   Erin Henderson
CB  Chris Cook
CB  Josh Robinson
  S   Harrison Smith
  S   Robert Blanton
  P   Chris Kluwe

On paper, on the field too, the most obvious hole is middle linebacker. Jasper Brinkley started last year but he moved to Arizona in free agency. Marvin Mitchell was Brinkley's backup. He was re-signed yesterday. If the Vikings had to take the field today Mitchell would likely get the nod but he's more of a role player and special teams contributor. This void at middle linebacker has me wondering if Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o might be the choice with one of their two first round picks, #'s 23 and 25. He's probably the linebacker most ready to be the man in the middle of an NFL defense. He's started at Notre Dame since the fourth game of his senior year. He was the leader, captain and the heart of a solid Irish defense. The Vikings approach to this vacancy at a pretty important position leads me to think that they are expecting a rookie to start from the day the rookie is drafted. They let Brinkley walk. As far as I know, they haven't pursued a replacement through free agency. It was reported that they had some discussions with free agent Brian Urlacher but that never seemed likely. Too old and broken. Quarterbacking the defense is a tall task for a rookie and I see Te'o as the most likely to accomplish the task. The Vikings have a unique insight on the naive Notre Dame youngster. Safeties Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton were in the Irish defensive huddles with Te'o. Tight end Kyle Rudolph was a team mate. Center John Sullivan was in South Bend when Te'o was recruited. The Vikings have up close and personal scouting resources in their building. I really like linebackers like Kansas St.'s Arthur Brown, LSU's Kevin Minter, Florida's Jon Bostic but they might need some seasoning before they lead and play middle linebacker in the NFL right away. Te'o is likely the one most capable of leading and playing from the start.

Receiver and defensive tackle, I feel, are the next biggest needs. Fortunately, both positions run pretty deep in this draft. I see receiver as a slightly greater need because I have more faith in the Vikings interior line rotation of Kevin Williams, Letroy Guion, Fred Evans, and Christian Ballard than in the receivers that the Vikings trot out beyond Jennings. I can see either position being taken in the first round. I like Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins and Cal's Keenan Allen best among the possible first round possibilities at receiver. I like Ohio St.'s Jonathan Hankins, North Carolina's Sylvester Williams, and Purdue's Kawann Short among the defensive tackles.

In this passing league, cornerback is always a need. I like the potential of possible starters Chris Cook and Josh Roninson but both have some issues. Cook has shown top talent but he's missed a bunch of time in his three NFL seasons. He has to stay on the field. Robinson had some real nice moments as a rookie but he had some difficulties toward the end of the season. I really hope that the Vikings can bring back Antoine Winfield. He can still bring it at 36. I hope that he brings with the Vikings.

Heading into the draft, I see the Vikings most significant needs at middle linebacker, receiver, defensive tackle, and corner. Guard and outside linebacker are needs as well. Of course, every team needs general depth pretty everywhere. Things change pretty quick in the NFL. Teams have to be ready with the next man up.

I'll probably change my mind on all of this by tomorrow.