the Minnesota Vikings starting lineup might look like this.
WR Stefon Diggs
T Matt Kalil
G Alex Boone
C John Sullivan
G Brandon Fusco
T Andre Smith
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Jarius Wright
QB Teddy Bridgewater
FB Zach Line
RB Adrian Peterson
DE Everson Griffen
NT Linval Joseph
DT Sharrif Floyd
DE Brian Robison
LB Anthony Barr
LB Eric Kendricks
LB Emanuel Lamur
CB Xavier Rhodes
CB Trae Waynes
S Harrison Smith
S Michael Griffin
K Blair Walsh
P Jeff Locke
LS Kevin McDermott
KR Cordarrelle Patterson
PR Marcus Sherels
There's still over five months until any Vikings starting lineup really means anything but it could look a lot like this. There will be position competition all across the offensive line. If there is any drastic changes in the above it will probably be with that position group. The receiver spot opposite Stefon Diggs is fairly open. The wildcard there could be Cordarrelle Patterson. An offensive disappointment since his electric rookie season of 2013, Patterson could pull it all together this season. Appearances indicate that he's working harder this season than he's ever worked before. And it's not just at getting into shape. He actually seems to be working on the intricacies of the receiver position. Something that he's rarely done before and desperately needs. He's even slated to spend some time with his quarterback in the coming weeks. Imagine that.
The defense is mostly set. Danielle Hunter was force a defensive end through the final weeks of his rookie season last season. He could wrestle the right end spot from veteran Brian Robison in training camp. Head coach Mike Zimmer stresses a heavy defensive line rotation so it doesn't really matter much which name is written on the starting lineup card. The hope here is that linebacker Chad Greenway is re-signed. He's had a terrific career and it would be great to see him end it in Minnesota. With the emergence of Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks at linebacker Greenway mostly played in only the base defense. The decreased playing seemed to help him sustain his solid play when he was on the field. Nagging injuries hampered Greenway greatly the previous couple of seasons. Michael Griffin was signed in free agency to boost the safety play opposite Harrison Smith but that's far from certain. Youngsters Anthony Harris or Antone Exum or even a draft pick could grab that starting spot.
If quarterback Teddy Bridgewater takes a big step forward behind what should be a much improved offensive line this Vikings team should contend for much more than another NFC North title.
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