Minnesota Vikings 2015 Season Preview

Minnesota Vikings

2014 Record: 7-9

2015 O/U 7.5

Off Season Overview

I usually don’t get into the draft as most players are minimal contributors, but in my opinion they found themselves three players with first round talent on the roster. To start, third round pick TJ Clemmings is already pegged in to start, and I would expect second rounder Eric Kendricks to start before their first round pick in 2015. That is efficient drafting if these guys can be anything to immediately contribute. Aside from those impacts, the Vikings traded for Mike Wallace, who seemed to desperately need a change of scenery. Mike Zimmer is a no nonsense coach, and it could become a good sign. Terrance Newman also should start, and is the one Trae Wayans needs to surpass to become the third rookie starter. They also lost a starting guard in Charlie Johnson, but it may not hurt the team, as he wasn’t above average anyways. To summarize it was relatively quiet, but you can’t hate any of the moves and I am interested in a second year coach with his second year QB entering year one as a full time starter.

Offensive Strengths

Whether it was luck of the draw or not, when Teddy Bridgewater started the Vikings were 6-6. He was a top 15 passer in terms of completion percentage in just his rookie season. When you look at that rookie year, he had played with eight different offensive line combinations, three different starting tight ends, five different running backs, and his starting number one receiver wasn’t on the team until September. I think what Bridgewater did was extremely impressive and think if all the moving parts can become one he has something. The line may be the weakness, but all hopes are eight different combinations can’t happen again. As for the running back situation I am sure many are going crazy that I have gotten into Bridgewater before Adrian Peterson. Peterson averages for a career 5.0 yards per carry. He was hand down the best back in the league when he was put on leave for a whole season. Back in 2015, I expect this transition to be easier than after his ACL tear return. I say that somewhat in jest because his return from an ACL tear was an unbelievable and record breaking, and if 2015 is anything close Bridgewater has the best running game in the league. Jerrick McKinnon was actually an extremely dangerous home run threat, and Matt Asiata filled in as the goal line back. These guys can use these roles, and fill behind AP for the top unit. As for his number one being Charles Johnson, a former 6th round pick whom two teams cut, I think he is in for breakout campaign. Bridgewater sat out the first three games and it caused him to play with the backups in practice. Johnson, along with Jarius Wright, became Bridgewaters’ two practice guys and now Johnson has emerged into a starting role, and Wright is competing for the slot job. Johnson was cut both times due to an MCL, and ACL tear respectively, but as a small school prospect he is extremely athletic, and has the best report with the second year kid. Mike Wallace can take the top off and open up the group. The tight end situation would look a lot better if Kyle Rudolph would stay healthy, but at 25 I am not writing him off. They also drafted Mycole Pruitt who is a name to watch. Either way this offense is completely redesigned, has a new face, and has the arrow pointing up heading into 2015.

Offensive Weakness

Is the offensive line going to derail this fast moving train? I thought Clemmings was a left tackle of the future, but as the Vikings believe as well, he is a right tackle as of now at best. Matt Khalil has looked every bit the bust in 2015. He helped contribute to the Vikings be the fourth most sacked team in the NFL. Bridgewater obviously had his growing pains, but you have to look to his inflated INT % to the line being a problem at the moment. Aside from that it should be noted that I may be excited about Bridgewater, but he isn’t quite in that top class of quarter backs quite yet. I think he definitely has to take steps forward, and the interceptions, as well as taking all of those sacks have to be at least limited by throwing the ball away. Bortles and Carr were knocked for it too, and all three have other different things to learn from, but this could be a strong QB class.

Defensive Strength

The defensive strength is Mike Zimmer. He helped with Marvin Lewis turning Cincinnati into a contender mainly due to what they did on that side of the ball. Zimmer is now in year two and I have been high on his draft selections, and of the GM Rick Speilamn who took over in 2012. Since then the Vikings have six players in the projected lineup drafted by the Vikings. They also have an average age of 27, and that includes 32-year-old Brian Robinson, Chad Greenway, as well as 37 year old Terrance Newman. Those three aside the average age of the defense is 24.8. Little has been seen on tape but a lot is to like for this defense throughout in my opinion. Their 2014 first round pick, Anthony Barr was roommates with their 2015 second round pick, Kendricks and now the two can team up and start next to Greenway to create what could be a versatile core. Gerald Hodges and Audie Cole, both drafted after 2012, can provide depth for the young bucks. On the line is a breakout candidate in now third year Shariff Floyd. He is still 23, however and is a full time starter for the first time, but has impressed when he has played. Linvall Jospeh was a good signing and the two can play well together. The ends are the vets of the team and are already proven. Everson Griffin probably is the strength and led the team in sacks in 2014. He is now 27 and is going to be the key to making this entire front seven. If this youth in the front can work out they really have something because in 2014 their secondary was their actual strength. Griffin and Brian Robisnon obviously mattered in rushing the passer, but Harrison Smith may now be a top five safety-entering year four, and has played with Robert Blanton his entire career. Xavier Rhodes showed flashes as a shut down corner, and I really have my hopes high that this kid is a top tier shut down athlete entering year three. If he is it takes the pressure of Newman, and gives Wayans an easier route to success in year one. Antonie Exum and Captain Munerlyn cap off the depth and lets be honest this is the defensive unit to watch when you are talking breakout. Young talented former first round picks, all within four years (plus Joseph and Griffin six years ago), plus a touch of veteran presence and former DC as a head coach.

Defensive Wekaness

I realize I may be a little too high on the Vikings defense, but they are exciting. Floyd, Barr, and Kendricks especially have the most to grow to become the unit I envision them being. Floyd has all the physical tools, he is just now learning the game, and it will show if the team can improve against the run whether he can take the big step forward. The linebackers should help with the run; especially Barr and the question will be can he be better in coverage in 2015. Can Kendricks learn on the fly as a rookie, and at the middle linebacker position, where he will have to be flying around the field, taking the load off of Greenway, who now is too old to be making all of the plays? Luckily Greenway can ease him into calling the plays, and he does have family in the NFL. I think that if these three make that step we are looking at the most underrated defense, but until then it is all on paper.

Where do they rank? O/U 7.5

If you couldn’t tell I think this roster is a sure fire bet to be better than the roster last year. That roster also featured a 1-3 with Christian Ponder and Matt Cassell under center. I think that seven is the floor for this team, and really with youth the sky is the limit. I don’t think Bridgewater, even with a leap forward, is on Aaron Rodgers level, and the Packers are the team to beat, but this team will be right in the playoff hunt, as I see with promising health, this team could win nine, or even ten games. I would be looking for the over and even look to it at plus money when looking at eight wins. As for the division second makes sense.

Parker Pick: 2nd in the NFC North, over 7.5 wins

Logans Pick: 2nd in the NFC North, over 7.5 wins