17 Most Important Vikings in '17

Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune recently concluded a countdown of the 17 Most Important Minnesota Vikings Players in 2017. On the surface this seems like a foolish exercise for a decidedly team-oriented sport like football. Every player is important! After that initial reaction this can be seen as a fun exercise because we all love to rank things. Here's Vensel's list.

17. Latavius Murray, RB
16. Pat Elflein, C
15. Eric Kendricks, LB
14. Everson Griffen, DE
13. Teddy Bridgewater, QB
12. Linval Joseph, DT
11. Trae Waynes, CB
10. Laquon Treadwell, WR
  9. Harrison Smith, S
  8. Stefon Diggs, WR
  7. Xavier Rhodes, CB
  6. Dalvin Cook, RB
  5. Anthony Barr, LB
  4. Danielle Hunter, DE
  3. Mike Remmers, T
  2. Riley Reiff, T
  1. Sam Bradford, QB

It's a fine list. Each player's performance will be crucial if the Vikings are to have a successful 2017 season.

The ranking that I most question is linebacker Eric Kendricks at #15. That's way too low. He's already one of the top playmakers on a very talented defense and it feels like he's on the verge of taking a much greater leadership role as well. He has the talent, instincts, and work ethic to be one of the top middle linebackers in the league.

Vensel has three offensive linemen on his list, including two of the top three in Mike Remmers and Riley Reiff. The entire offensive line, including backups, could make the list of the most important Vikings. Injuries along the line and the resulting shaky play was the reason that the Vikings fell to 8-8 after a 5-0 start to the 2016 season. The offensive line has struggled for a few seasons. It was a disaster last season. Any success in 2017 is dependent on improved offensive line play. The Vikings spent significantly to add Reiff and Remmers in free agency. If those two did nothing but stay healthy all season the line will be improved. Hopefully they do much more than stay healthy. The Vikings added center Pat Elflein in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He doesn't even have a starting spot nailed down yet he's one of the most important Vikings players. That says as much about the state of the line as it does about his football ability. Vensel wouldn't be wrong to include likely starting guards Alex Boone and Joe Berger but he makes his point with the three linemen that he does include.

Defensive end Danielle Hunter racked up 12.5 sacks as a part time player in 2016. It was his second season and he's only 22. He's a physical freak. He's also a sponge that just wants to learn everything and be the best player that he can be. Hunter is on the verge of stardom. Head coach Mike Zimmer has said that Hunter could be the best player that he's ever coached. On a defense with Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Eric Kendrics, Anthony Barr, Xavier Rhodes, Harrison Smith it's a little stunning that this quiet, former third round pick might soon be the best of the bunch.

If I were to list the 17 Most Important Minnesota Vikings in 2017 it might look a little something like this.

17. Shariff Floyd/Datone Jones/Tom Johnson/Jaleel Johnson/Will Sutton, DT
16. Teddy Bridgewater, QB
15. Kyle Rudolph, TE
14. Everson Griffen, DE
13. Laquon Treadwell, WR
12. Linval Joseph, DT
11. Harrison Smith, S
10. Mackensie Alexander, CB
  9. Trae Waynes, CB
  8. Stefon Diggs, WR
  7. Xavier Rhodes, CB
  6. Eric Kendricks, LB
  5. Dalvin Cook, RB
  4. Danielle Hunter, DE
  3. Anthony Barr, LB
  2. Sam Bradford, QB
  1. Entire Offensive Line

Defensive tackle Shariff Floyd's football career is hanging in the balance due to a nerve issue that resulted from a mishap during knee surgery. He played a single game last year and the Vikings struggled to replace him in the remaining 15. Tom Johnson's a terrific interior pass rusher but he's most effective when used on a situational basis. Shamar Stephen is a nice run defender but is limited as a pass rusher. Johnson and Stephen didn't quite fill the void left with Floyd's absence. Datone Jones and Will Sutton were signed in the offseason and Jaleel Johnson was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Vikings defensive line is much better at the very important under tackle position. 

Hunter's a physical freak. So's Anthony Barr. He played like an emerging star his first two seasons in the league (2014-15). Big plays, game changing plays, were becoming routine for him Those plays weren't so routine last year. He was still a good player but he has the talent to be a great player. He needs to be closer to great.

Vikings training camp is here. Rookies and select veterans reported Sunday. The rest of the team arrives tomorrow. Soon we'll have real football and not a bunch of projections.