Vikings Needs?

Judging an NFL team's draft needs is an exact science. Anything that's opinion-based is inexact. When it comes to the draft needs of an NFL team the only opinion that really matters is the opinion of that team. The coaches and personnel peeps are the only ones that have an accurate measure of their teams needs, wants, strengths, and weaknesses. Beyond the team's decision-makers it's a team's beat writers and fans that know the team best and that's a mixed bag of nuts at best. All this is to say that the national media talking heads have 32 teams to cover. They have to honk on about the needs of 32 teams. They might know one or two teams well. If they are a former player they might know their former team well. If they are based in a certain market they might know the team that resides there or near there well. Lance Zierlein is an NFL Media draft analyst. His mock drafts can be found alongside those of Daniel Jeremeiah, Bucky Brooks, and Charles Davis, and Charley Casserly on NFL.com. Zierlein comes out of Houston so the Texans are likely the team that he knows best. He does fine work and provides a nice mix with the other characters that make up the NFL's draft coverage. He recently published a column on NFL.com listing the top five draft needs of all 32 teams and a brief analysis of those needs. Here's what Zierlein had to say about the needs of the Minnesota Vikings, the team that I know best:

Minnesota Vikings

Top 5 needs: OT, LB, CB, G, DT
No. of selections: 7
Draft picks: Round 1 (11), Round 2 (45), Round 3 (76), Round 4 (110), Round 5 (137), Round 7 (228), Round 7 (232)
Analysis: Matt Kalil's struggles at left tackle and the end to his rookie contract after 2015 could signal a new direction at that position for the Vikings. They need help and depth on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines. Minnesota could look to upgrade the cornerback spot opposite Xavier Rhodes. The Vikings need to upgrade their current LB situation with at least one new starter.

Nice work. Much appreciated. It's always nice to see the fairly well-informed opinion of others. But, this analysis has some holes. Zierlein lists defensive tackle as one of the five biggest needs of the Minnesota Vikings. Talking heads often spout that a team needs to improve the depth and/or talent of the interior of the offensive and defensive lines. It sounds good, it's non-specific, and it can apply to pretty much every team in the league. With the offseason re-signing of Tom Johnson, defensive tackle might be the Vikings strongest and deepest position. The starters are Sharrif Floyd and Linval Joseph. Both started together for the first time last year. They are growing and learning together. If he can stay on the field, Floyd is well on his way to becoming a dominant football player. Joseph, at a minimum, provides a solid, large presence in the middle. Johnson provided a tremendous pass rushing presence in a limited number of snaps in his first year with the Vikings last year. Shamar Stephen was one of the most promising surprises from the 2014 draft. If he continues to improve his future is bright. Head coach Mike Zimmer likes to rotate his defensive linemen. With Floyd, Joseph, Johnson, and Stephen he has the talent and depth to do so at defensive tackle. There's always room for improvement at a position but defensive tackle is far from a need for the Vikings. I'd put receiver or safety as a fifth position of need. 

Offensive tackle is an area of concern for the Vikings. The entire offensive line is an area of concern. At the moment, I don't see tackle as a need. The Vikings have yet to give up on 4th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft Matt Kalil and they shouldn't. There's no doubt that he has struggled the past two years after a strong rookie year. His play improved down the stretch last year and it should get better with a left guard other than Charlie Johnson playing next to him. Kalil had nagging injuries and as a result sagging confidence, as well as Johnson next to him, last year. Excuses won't save him again. If he doesn't play to the level of his talent this year offensive tackle will be a need next year. Perhaps the team's biggest need. RT Phil Loadholt is coming off a torn pectoral muscle that cut short his 2014 season. He should be healthy and ready for the 2015 season. If his knees don't end his career Antonio Richardson provides intriguing possibilities. As does Polish import Babatunde Aiyegbusi. 

If I were to write the Vikings portion of this "needs" column I would list the Vikings top five needs like this:

1. Middle linebacker

2. Left guard

3. Cornerback

4. Defensive end

5. Safety

An impact receiver wouldn't hurt.

One refreshing, so  refreshing, thing to note on any list of 2015 Vikings needs is the absence of quarterback. That position has been a Vikings need for about a decade.