Minnesota Vikings' Starters Prediction

The Minnesota Vikings have until tomorrow to trim the roster to 53. There will be some tough decisions. There aren't too many decisions in determining the 22 starters. Those offensive line questions appear to have been answered. At least to start the season. The starting receiver opposite Adam Thielen could be a juggling act. The cornerbacks could be a season-long rotation of as many as five players. Until we see a real game, this is how I see the Minnesota Vikings starters.

Offense

WR	Adam Thielen
LT	Riley Reiff
LG	Dakota Dozier
C	Garrett Bradbury
RG	Pat Elflein
RT	Brian O'Neill
TE	Kyle Rudolph
WR	Justin Jefferson
QB	Kirk Cousins
RB	Dalvin Cook
FB	C.J. Ham

The offensive line is the biggest question mark on offense. Again. I feel better about this group, the scheme that they are in, and the coaches that coach it than I have in a long time. The talent level is higher so their potential is greater. I wouldn't be surprised if Ezra Cleveland replaces Dakota Dozier at some point during the season.

Perhaps I'm getting ahead of things with rookie Justin Jefferson as one of the starting receivers. It isn't fair to Olabisi Johnson as he's been terrific in training camp. Johnson might've been a surprise last season. He's going to be a significant contributor moving forward. He's a very good football player. Jefferson could be a great one. 

Defense

RE	Yannick Ngakoue
DT	Jaleel Johnson
NT	Shamar Stephen
LE	Danielle Hunter
LB	Anthony Barr
LB	Eric Kendricks
LB	Eric Wilson
CB	Mike Hughes
CB	Holton Hill
S	Harrison Smith
S	Anthony Harris

What a difference one player can make. Despite cries from national talking heads of the demise of the Vikings defense, I expected this to remain a strong group. Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Harrison Smith, and Anthony Harris are simply too good to allow the entire defense to fall apart. Plus, I think that the inexperienced cornerbacks will play beyond their years. Then, two weeks from the start of the season, the Vikings add Yannick Ngakoue. Now, it's as if there's a whole new defense in Minnesota. Even the national talking heads say so. So it's gotta be. I expect breakout seasons from Armon Watts, Eric Wilson, and any one, two, or three of the corners. Wilson is going to force Mike Zimmer to include him in some of the nickel defenses. I can't wait to see this defense in action.