Here's a pre-draft look at the offense of the Minnesota Vikings.
*-projected starters
Quarterbacks
*Sam Bradford
Teddy Bridgewater
Taylor Heinicke
Sam Bradford did a fine job in his first season as the Vikings quarterback. He joined the team just before the start of the season, had a crash course in the offense, led his new team to a win over the Green Bay Packers in his debut, and set an NFL season record for completion percentage. Granted most of his passes were of the shorter variety but the offensive line was such sieve he didn't have time to survey the field on every down. If there was one that he could change it's his tendency to put the ball on the ground upon contact. Other than that it was a fine first season. The biggest question with the Vikings quarterbacks is the continuing rehab from a brutal knee injury of Teddy Bridgewater. Until he's back on the field he's on the shelf. And I really wish that the media would stop asking head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman about his recovery timeline. They don't know and won't know until Bridgewater's back. A funny thing happened on the way to the Vikings 2016 training camp. Taylor Heinicke put his foot through a window and sliced his tendon. Actually, it wasn't very funny. Not to Heinicke or to the Vikings. As a rookie in 2015, he showed a lot of promise in training camp and the preseason games. So much promise that he had a shot to be the backup to Bridgewater in 2016. All that changed with Heinicke's pre-training camp accident. Who knows? If he'd been able to build on his promising potential during last year's training camp maybe the Vikings don't make that trade for Bradford. But that's not what happened and Bradford's the team leader and quarterback moving forward. A developmental quarterback will probably be added in the draft. Or after.
Running backs
*Latavius Murray
Jerick McKinnon
C.J. Ham
Bishop Sankey
Well, this group sure looks different. Since 2007, the Vikings running game has been centered around Adrian Peterson. It's tough to accept his departure but time doesn't stop rolling. Not even for football's greatest players. For now, the Vikings running game will be carried by some combination of Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon. With Peterson in the backfield there was always a really good chance that he was carrying the ball. Defenses like it when they have a good idea what's coming. With Murray/McKinnon (McMurray?) in the backfield the Vikings' offensive intentions should be more of a mystery. In that way the Vikings offense might've gotten more versatile. A draft pick (perhaps a high one) will certainly be added to this group.
It remains to be seen whether the Vikings offense under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will field a true fullback.
Receivers
*Stefon Diggs
*Adam Thielen
Laquon Treadwell
Jarius Wright
Isaac Fruechte
Cayleb Jones
This is an intriguing group. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen each had over 900 yards receiving in 2016. They are just getting started. While Diggs can be effective outside the numbers his quickness, suddenness, and route precision might be best used from the slot. Treadwell gets a lot of grief for his single catch of 15 yards in his rookie season. Much more is expected from a first round pick these days. Sometimes it takes time and it does seem like Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is often hesitant to play rookies before he's sure their ready. Treadwell will be fine. He has too much talent and works too hard not to be fine. Jarius Wright's decreased playing time in 2016 was a season-long mystery. He's a solid, play-making receiver when given a chance. I really like the potential of the top four receivers but the Vikings could use some depth at the position from the draft.
Tight ends
*Kyle Rudolph
David Morgan
Kyle Carter
When healthy Kyle Rudolph has been a playmaker throughout his six years in the league. He stayed healthy last year and had his best season. He has to have more healthy seasons like that one. He has the talent to be one of the best tight ends in the league. Out of itty-bitty Texas-San Antonio, David Morgan flashed some potential in 2016. He should only build on that. Kyle Carter has the 2017 training camp to show that he can stick in the NFL. The Vikings strong run at free agent Jared Cook showed that they want to improve on this position. I'd imagine that the Vikings will look at tight ends in a draft with many talented options.
If the Vikings do go without a true fullback they might be looking for the sort of versatile tight end that can move around the formation. Play a little fullback, H-back, outside, and in-line.
Offensive line
*Riley Reiff
*Alex Boone
*Joe Berger
*Jeremiah Sirles
*Mike Remmers
Nick Easton
T.J. Clemmings
Zac Kerin
Rashod Hill
Willie Beavers
Austin Shepherd
Marquis Lucas
Reid Fragel
The offensive line. They are sick of hearing about how terrible they played last season. So are the fans. A ridiculous run of injuries really destroyed any chance of the line being effective before they really had a chance last season. That's noted but the line still has to improve. An average line would've gotten the Vikings in the playoffs. The Vikings first two moves in free agency were focused on improving this group. They added tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers. With just those two moves the Viking boosted the talent level to a tad over average. That's a great start. An offensive line of even average talent can a great line if they all work well together. Reiff, Boone, and Remmers are likely the only names written in ink on the lineup card. Joe Berger, Nick Easton, and possibly a draft pick will compete for the center spot. Jeremiah Sirles, Berger, a draft pick, and perhaps a host of others will compete for the right guard spot.
While a line with average talent can still be great, it's great to have great talent. Even with the free agency additions of Reiff and Remmers, offensive line is the Vikings area of greatest need. They have five picks in the first four rounds. It wouldn't be a surprise if two, maybe even three, of those picks are spent on offensive linemen.
That's how the Minnesota Vikings offense shapes up. On paper. In March.
No comments:
Post a Comment