Minnesota Vikings Projected Starters

With the Minnesota Vikings 2016 roster set (for now) here's a look at the projected starting lineup (for now).

WR   Stefon Diggs
TE    Kyle Rudolph
 T      Matt Kalil
 G     Alex Boone
 C     Joe Berger
 G     Brandon Fusco
 T      Andre Smith
WR  Charles Johnson
QB   Sam Bradford
RB   Adrian Peterson
FB    Zach Line

DE   Everson Griffen
DT   Shariff Floyd
DT   Linval Joseph
DE   Brian Robison
LB    Chad Greenway
LB    Eric Kendricks
LB    Anthony Barr
CB   Xavier Rhodes
CB   Trae Waynes
  S    Harrison Smith
  S    Andrew Sendejo

 K   Blair Walsh
 P    Jeff Locke
LS   Kevin McDermott

It's going to take some time to get used to seeing Sam Bradford rather than Teddy Bridgewater in the Vikings quarterback position. On paper and on the field.

This projection is subject to change by Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. Or at any point during the season. NFL rosters are a fluid thing. One position on offense that could change at some point is at split end. Laquon Treadwell was drafted in the first round to be a difference-maker. If he can avoid the drops that he had in the final preseason game he might soon take some snaps from Charles Johnson. On defense, the ageless Terence Newman might still have the edge over Trae Waynes at left corner. I think that Waynes starts. If not in week one he will at some point during the season. The safety spot opposite Harrison Smith has been up for grabs throughout the offseason and training camp. Andrew Sendejo's the incumbent and will likely begin the season as the starter. It shouldn't be a surprise if rookie Jayron Kearse forces himself into the starting lineup at some point. He has unreal, unteachable safety size at 6'4" and he started coming on at the end of training camp and in the final preseason games. Weak-side linebacker Emanuel Lamur could challenge Chad Greenway for starting snaps. Even if Lamur doesn't get those starts he will be on the field often. He has unique coverage skills. Defensive end Danielle Hunter is too talented to keep off of the field. He's still young and raw but he's such a dynamic talent. Good things happen for the Vikings when he's in the game. Head coach Mike Zimmer, defensive coordinator George Edwards, and defensive line coach Andre Patterson favor a heavy line rotation so Hunter will be on the field a lot even if Brian Robison still gets most, if not all, of the left defensive end starting snaps.

This is a lineup with a high ceiling. Even if they do have to quickly break in a new quarterback.