Vikings (Way Too Early) Projected Starting Lineup

It's way too early to be doing this but I'm doing it still. With the final trickle of free agency and the draft still to come here's a way too early look at the Minnesota Vikings 2017 starting lineup.

Offense

WR Adam Thielen Slot Stefon Diggs LT Riley Reiff LG Alex Boone C Joe Berger RG Jeremiah Sirles RT Mike Remmers TE Kyle Rudolph WR Laquon Treadwell QB Sam Bradford RB Latavius Murray

It remains to be seen whether offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will field a fullback. He had a fullback on the roster when he was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2011-12. Zach Line was the Vikings fullback last season but he's a free agent and taking visits. Maybe the Vikings are just letting the market set the price. We'll see. For this early lineup I went with three receivers. If the draft changes anything in the offense it'll likely beat at right guard and/or center.

Defense

RE Everson Griffen DT Sharrif Floyd NT Linval Joseph RE Danielle Hunter SLB Anthony Barr MLB Eric Kendricks WLB Emmanuel Lamur RCB Xavier Rhodes LCB Trae Waynes S  Harrison Smith S Andrew Sendejo

With the passing game growing with each season the Vikings, likely nearly all teams, are in the nickel more often than not. In the Vikings defense the nickel corner is on the field much more than the weak side linebacker. Captain Munnerlyn had been the nickel but he's in Carolina now. The nickel spot this year might come down to a battle between second-year Mackensie Alexander and ageless Terence Newman. Or perhaps even youngster Tre Roberson. The early starting spots of Sharrif Floyd, Emmanuel, and Andrew Sendejo are the least secure.

Special Teams

K	Kai Forbath
P	Taylor Symmank
LS	Kevin McDermott
KR	Marcus Sherels
PR	Marcus Sherels

For the last four years the Vikings had the best return game in the league. Cordarrelle Patterson handle kicks and Sherels handled punts. Patterson is in Oakland now. Sherels holds both spots at this early date. The Viking returners this year will probably come from the draft. Kevin McDermott might be the only one of the above remaining in September.

That's a fun exercise for the middle of March.