The NFC North 53 man roster predictions continue with the defending division champion Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have a strong and deep roster for 2016.
Offense- 25
Quarterback- 3 Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill and Joel Stave
The Vikings have their franchise QB and may give Stave a shot on the roster.
Running Back- 4 Adrian Peterson, Jerrick McKinnon, Matt Asiata and Zach Line (FB)
The Vikings have their workhorse in Peterson. McKinnon and Asiata are very experienced backups.
Wide Receiver- 6 Laquan Treadwell, Charles Johnson, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Cordarelle Patterson, Jarius Wright
The Vikings keep six WRs and put the German WR Bohringer on the practice squad. Treadwell will need to be the guy immediately for the Vikings but Diggs and Johnson are good number 2 and 3 options. Patterson is returned for kick return duties if he is healthy.
Tight End- 3 Kyle Rudolph, Mycole Pruitt, David Morgan
Rudolph is the top tight end and Pruitt is an intriguing receiving option. Morgan was drafted and is an all -around tight end to replace the injured Rhett Ellison. Kyle Carter may find the practice squad as a rookie out of Penn State.
Offensive Line- 9 plus PUP Matt Kalil, Alex Boone, John Sullivan, Brandon Fusco, Andre Smith, TJ Clemmings, Joe Berger, Willie Beavers, Jeremiah Sirles, Mike Harris (PUP)
The Vikings are thin on the line with the retirement of Phil Loadholdt and injury of Mike Harris. They may keep one more guard on the roster but Berger provides versatility. The Vikings hope Mike Harris returns quickly from his mysterious head injury.
Specialists- 3 Blair Walsh, Jeff Locke, Kevin McDermott
The Vikings are set with their kicker, punter and long snapper. Hopefully Walsh doesn’t have lingering effects from that horrible miss in the playoffs.
Defense-25
Defensive Line- 9 Everson Griffen, Brian Robison, Linval Joseph, Shariff Floyd, Danielle Hunter, Tom Johnson, Shamar Stephen, Scott Chrichton, Kenrick Ellis
The Vikings have a very good defensive line and two quality backups in Danielle Hunter and Tom Johnson that could be starters for a few teams. Stephen and Ellis have some experience at DT but the Vikings are light at 4th DE.
Linebacker-6 Anthony Barr, Erik Kendricks, Emmaneul Lemur, Chad Greenway, Audie Cole, Kentrell Brothers
The Vikings have a good LB core and Cole, Brothers and Lemur offer plenty of special team ability.
Cornerback- 6 Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, Terrence Newman, Captain Munnerlyn, Mackensie Alexander, Marcus Sherels
The Vikings keep 6 CBs with plenty of talent. They are deep with 5 CBs and Sherels beats out Jabari Price and Melvin White due to punt return ability.
Safety- 4 Harrison Smith, Andrew Sendejo, Anthony Harris, Jayron Kearse
The Vikings keep young backups in Harris and Kearse. Michael Griffen just gets edged out and Antone Exum also just misses the cut. The Vikings could keep 5 safeties if they drop Stave.
Overall
The Vikings will challenge for the division title yet again. They have a good defense with plenty of depth on the defensive line, LB and secondary. The offensive line is shaky with depth but Clemmings and Berger and Harris (if healthy) have experience. The Vikings need their QB and weapons to step up more and their offensive line to do much better than 40% pressure on Bridgewater. The Vikings appear to be an 11 win team.