Monday, June 11, 2018

Minnesota Vikings Offensive Depth Chart Prediction

247Sports Minnesota Vikings website predicted the Minnesota Vikings Offensive Depth Chart. It's a little early but predictions always are. I'll play along.

Quarterbacks
1. Kirk Cousins
2. Trevor Siemian
3. Kyle Sloter

The only difficulty with the Vikings quarterback depth chart is getting used to spelling Siemian. One of the more unusual aspects of the team's quarterback group is that this is the first training camp in Minnesota for all of them.

Running Backs
1. Dalvin Cook
2. Latavius Murray
3. Roc Thomas

The top two backs are set. The third back job is wide open and the competition for the job could be one of the most interesting in training camp. The contenders are rookie undrafted free agents Roc Thomas and Mike Boone and third-year Mack Brown. As soon as he was signed after the draft, I had penciled Thomas in as the third back. Mostly because I was more aware of his college career than I was of Boone's.

Fullback
1. C.J. Ham

Perhaps the biggest challenge to C.J. Ham's place on the roster is the offense that's being installed by new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo. He used a fullback when he ran the Cleveland Browns' offense in 2015. The Philadelphia Eagles had a stable full of backs with varied talents last year but no designated fullback. Seeing as it wasn't his offense in Philadelphia I'd lean more toward what he did when it was his call in Cleveland.


Receivers
1a. Adam Thielen
1b. Stefon Diggs
3. Laquon Treadwell
4. Kendall Wright
5. Stacy Coley

It's sweet that they have Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs as 1a and 1b. It makes sense. They are the face of the receiver position in Minnesota. They are also one of the most potent pair of receivers in the league. It gets fun after them. This is a big year for Laquon Treadwell. Most have written the former first round pick off as a bust. I think that he's going to shine this year. Kendall Wright was a nice depth signing this offseaon after Jarius Wright was released. The current Wright will be wearing the former Wright's #17 jersey. That's convenient for Wright fans. While I think Stacy Coley is the favorite for the fifth spot I wouldn't be surprised to see Brandon Zylstra, Jake Wieneke, or Korey Robertson challenge him throughout camp. The 2018 practice squad might sport several receivers.

Tight Ends
1. Kyle Rudolph
2. Tyler Conklin
3. David Morgan

I'm not ready to put rookie Tyler Conklin ahead of David Morgan. I think that Conklin will eventually be a more explosive offensive weapon but Morgan has been under-utilized in the passing game through his first two seasons. He's the best blocker among the tight ends so he's been pigeon-holed as much more blocker than receiver.

Left Tackle
1. Riley Reiff
2. Rashod Hill

Left Guard
1. Nick Easton
2. Tom Compton

Center
1. Pat Elflein
2. Nick Easton
3. Josh Andrews

Right Guard
1. Danny Isidora
2. Mike Remmers

Right Tackle
1. Mike Remmers
2. Aviante Collins
3. Brian O'Neill

I'll take the offensive line as a whole. Except for one thing, I like what the writer did here. I don't think that there's any way that sixth-round pick Colby Gossett isn't on the 53-man roster. He may not start, probably won't start, but he'll be on the roster. Unless, of course, he's a complete clown in training camp. Gossett's place on the roster would likely come at the expense of Josh Andrews. I like what the writer did here because I like Danny Isidora as the starting right guard. The offensive line talk of the offseason has been all about where Mike Remmers will play. Injuries late last season forced him to move from right tackle to guard. For some reason that triggered many to think that he's now a guard. He was so much better as a tackle. The only scenario in which I see Remmers playing at guard is if Brian O'Neill shows that he's ready to start right away at right tackle. Even if that happens I'd rather see Isidora start at guard over Remmers. The Vikings have more depth on the offensive line than they've had in years. That's a good thing but I really hope that it isn't tested. The line depth was seriously tested in 2016 and it was a nightmare.

Next up: Defensive Depth Chart Prediction.

No comments:

Post a Comment