Minnesota has plenty of needs after experiencing an offseason of big changes.
The Vikings lost Linval Joseph, Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander and other key players from 2019’s team.
There are plenty of positional needs that the Vikings should to address in the NFL.
Here are the most dire positions that Minnesota should consider filling in order to not take a step back in 2020:
1. Offensive Line
This is a tough one, because technically tackle isn’t as dire of a position group as guard. That said, it’s a better tackle class in the 2020 draft than it is for guards.
In addition to that, the Vikings Riley Reiff could probably move over to guard if the team drafts a tackle. So despite the team releasing guard Josh Kline, tackle is the position the team should address.
The Vikings offensive line improved in 2019, but the group has to get better, so the offense, now with slightly less weapons than it had a year ago, doesn’t take a step back.
2. Wide Receiver
I’ll add this with a caveat: the team doesn’t necessarily have to shore up the position in the first round of the draft.
Replacing Stefon Diggs will be tough and Kirk Cousins is a good quarterback, but he fits into a specific system in order to find success. Finding an adequate replacement for Diggs is essential to the short-term outlook of the Vikings.
But, it’s a deep wide receiver class and the Vikings very well could find a talented wideout in the second or third round.
Without a clear No. 2, the Vikings will regress, and right now the team does not have a wide receiver good enough to fill that role.
3. Defensive backs
This one is also tricky. When it comes to safety, the Vikings have arguably the best tandem in the NFL.
Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris are the starters at that position. Harris had six interceptions last season, and Smith had three interceptions.
However, the cornerback side of the defensive back corps is so depleted, that Minnesota has no choice but to address it in the draft.
The Vikings lost two starters in Rhodes and Waynes, in addition to Alexander, the Vikings’ nickel corner in 2019.
Holton Hill and Mike Hughes can compete for the starting spot, but both have question marks surrounding their ability to play in every game of the 2020 season. This position would arguably be higher up the list if it wasn’t for Harris and Smith.
4. Defensive Line
Everson Griffen announced he was leaving the Vikings this offseason, and never say never about a return, but the team should at least prepare for his absence.
Griffen leaves a hole at defensive end, and Joseph’s departure to the Chargers leaves a hole at defensive tackle. Michael Pierce, who came to the Vikings this offseason via free agency, seems like he could be a solid fit in Joseph’s place.
However, it’s looking like the presumptive replacement for Griffen will have to be either a reserve such as Ifeadi Odenigbo, a new signing or a draft pick.
If Minnesota is confident it can evaluate talent and find a great player to fill the void Griffen will probably leave, then great. But personally, I still think that position presents some question marks at this present time.
5. Linebackers
There are also some question marks at linebacker. Eric Kendricks looked to be pretty good in 2019, earning most-improved Vikings player from Pro Football Focus.
However, Barr has dropped off in his level of play since he first came to the NFL. His first two seasons were promising, but in 2019 he had just 1.5 sacks.
There’s also the problem with the third linebacker spot.
Eric Wilson, Ben Gedeon and others have been a rotating cast that has looked inconsistent sometimes in the starting lineup. The position group isn’t as dire as the others on this list, but the Vikings should still consider adding talent at linebacker to help the defense improve.
