1. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida
2. Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
3. Domonique Orange, DL, Iowa State
3. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
3. Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami
5. Max Bredeson, FB, Michigan
5. Chuck Demmings, CB, Stephen F Austin
6. Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
7. Gavin Gerhardt. C, Cincinnati
While the nine picks only had a 5:4 split between defense and offense, it felt very much like a defense-centric draft. That happens when four of the top five picks went defense. The four offensive players might eventually earn significant roles. Only one projects as an immediate starter. The impact of the five defensive players will be seen soon. At least, they better. A couple were selected with an immediate impact in mind.
Here’s a look at a potential starting lineup for this season.
Offense
|
WR |
Justin Jefferson |
|
LT |
Christian Darrisaw |
|
LG |
Donovan Jackson |
|
C |
Blake Brandel |
|
RG |
Will Fries |
|
RT |
Brian O’Neill |
|
TE |
T.J. Hockenson |
|
WR |
Jordan Addison |
|
QB |
Kyler Murray |
|
RB |
Aaron Jones |
|
FB |
Max Bredeson |
Rookie fullback Max Bredeson was selected as an immediate heir to C.J. Ham. Bredeson’s sledge-hammer blocking will make an impact on the Vikings offense. Other than the free agent addition of quarterback Kyler Murray, the rest of the offense carries over from last season. Unlike last season, the offense, especially the offensive line, must stay on the field.
Defense
|
DE |
Caleb Banks |
|
NT |
Domonique Orange |
|
DE |
Jalen Redmond |
|
OLB |
Dallas Turner |
|
LB |
Blake Cashman |
|
LB |
Eric Wilson |
|
OLB |
Andrew Van Ginkel |
|
CB |
Byron Murphy Jr. |
|
CB |
Isaiah Rodgers |
|
S |
Josh Metellus |
|
S |
Jay Ward |
I can not wait to see first-round pick Caleb Banks and third-round pick Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange incorporated into the defensive line. The Vikings had an interesting group of talented but unheralded defensive linemen but they had nothing like Banks and Orange. The two combine for about 660 pounds of moving, immovable football mass. The Vikings front, and as a result the entire defense, will look so different. For the pass three years, the schemes of defensive coordinator Brian Flores have been the driving force of a mostly successful Vikings defense. Now, Flores is able to pepper those schemes with some elite talent up front. While probably not first-team players in their first year, Jake Golday, Jakobe Thomas, and Chuck Demmings could earn impactful playing time.
At the safety position, it’s still possible that Harrison Smith returns for his 15th season.
Special Teams
|
K |
Will Reichard |
|
P |
Brett Thorson |
|
LS |
Andrew DePaola |
|
KR |
Demond Claiborne |
|
PR |
Myles Price |
One of the most intense competitions of training camp might be at punter. Both contenders are new to the team. Very veteran Johnny Hekker was signed this offseason. Georgia punter Brett Thorson was signed as an undrafted free agent. Despite going undrafted, Thorson was arguably the best punter in the draft. The only holdup with his candidacy for the position is that he never held in college. Maintaining a smooth kicking rhythm between Will Reichard, Andrew DePaola, and the holder might be as critical to the punting job as punting.
Myles Price handled both kick and punt returns last season. I have sixth-round running back Demond Claiborne penciled in for the kick return job this season.
There are only a handful of changes on offense, defense, and special teams but they are significant changes. Especially the defensive line changes.
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