2012 Draft Class:
1 - Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California (6-7, 306)
1 - Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame (6-2, 213)
3 - Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida (5-10, 199)
4 - Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas (5-10, 196)
4 - Rhett Ellison, TE, Southern California (6-5, 251)
4 - Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas (6-3, 219)
5 - Robert Blanton, DB, Notre Dame (6-1, 208)
6 - Blair Walsh, K, Georgia (5-9, 187)
7 - Audie Cole, OLB, North Carolina State (6-4, 246)
7 - Trevor Guyton, DT, California (6-3, 285)
Key 2012 Free Agent Acquisitions:
Jerome Simpson (Cincinnati), John Carlson TE (Seattle), Geoff Schwartz OT (Carolina), Jerome Felton (Indianapolis), Erin Henderson (Minnesota), Zack Bowman (Chicago), Chris Carr (Baltimore)
The Lowdown:
The Minnesota Vikings lost nine games by seven points or less last season.
Their defense, while actually playing pretty well, was a mixed bag being one of the best against the run and and one of the worst against the pass. Their defensive line, namely Jared Allen, Brian Robison and Kevin Williams, were extremely productive combining for nearly 40 sacks and almost 100 hurries. Unfortunately, when quarterbacks had time to throw there was little to stop them.
Outside of Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook the Vikings' secondary was in rough shape. They drafted Harrison Smith and Josh Robinson who are certainly long term answers, but may not contribute heavily during their rookie campaigns. They also brought in Chris Carr and Zack Bowman at the cornerback position. Carr could be a slight upgrade and Bowman will be valuable depth but is not going to be a difference maker.
On the offensive side of the ball, Christian Ponder struggled mightily. He showed flashes of what he could be, but was constantly under duress. Enter: Matt Kalil. Kalil will be an immediate upgrade over Charlie Johnson and will hopefully allow Ponder to grow and excel.
Ponder had a few weapons in Peterson, Gerhart, Harvin and Rudolph, but it's telling that Aromashodu, Camarillo, Berrian and Jenkins all had a significant amount of snaps and did little with them. The Vikings are hoping that Jerome Simpson can step in and be the solution across from Harvin while Greg Childs and Jarius Wright develop.
Harvin is a tremendous and dynamic talent, but the Vikings still lack a true number one wideout and will have to once again rely heavily on Adrian Peterson who is coming off a torn ACL (and miraculously looks like he'll be able to play week 1). It will be interesting to see if the Vikings stellar run game can stay on track with Jim Kleinsasser retiring. Just to put into perspective his contribution, Kleinsasser has in on 206 plays run blocking to Peterson and Gerhart's 325 combined run plays.
The Vikings drafted Blair Walsh who could prove to be a pivotal player if they have another season where the majority of their games are close.
Biggest Assets: John Sullivan, Matt Kalil, Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Jared Allen, Brian Robison, Kevin Williams, Erin Henderson, Antoine Winfield.
Needs to Improve: Christian Ponder
Bottom Line: The Vikings have a lot of talented players, but the onus is on Christian Ponder to get this team over the hump. Unfortunately, the front office has failed to significantly improve on Ponder's supporting cast. Jerome Simpson, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs may contribute, but will not significantly improve this offense (though Childs could be a solid long term answer). This is a team that could get eight or so wins, but in the pass happy NFC North they will have trouble keeping pace putting up points and stopping the pass.
Key 2012 Free Agent Acquisitions:
Jerome Simpson (Cincinnati), John Carlson TE (Seattle), Geoff Schwartz OT (Carolina), Jerome Felton (Indianapolis), Erin Henderson (Minnesota), Zack Bowman (Chicago), Chris Carr (Baltimore)
The Lowdown:
The Minnesota Vikings lost nine games by seven points or less last season.
Their defense, while actually playing pretty well, was a mixed bag being one of the best against the run and and one of the worst against the pass. Their defensive line, namely Jared Allen, Brian Robison and Kevin Williams, were extremely productive combining for nearly 40 sacks and almost 100 hurries. Unfortunately, when quarterbacks had time to throw there was little to stop them.
Outside of Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook the Vikings' secondary was in rough shape. They drafted Harrison Smith and Josh Robinson who are certainly long term answers, but may not contribute heavily during their rookie campaigns. They also brought in Chris Carr and Zack Bowman at the cornerback position. Carr could be a slight upgrade and Bowman will be valuable depth but is not going to be a difference maker.
On the offensive side of the ball, Christian Ponder struggled mightily. He showed flashes of what he could be, but was constantly under duress. Enter: Matt Kalil. Kalil will be an immediate upgrade over Charlie Johnson and will hopefully allow Ponder to grow and excel.
Ponder had a few weapons in Peterson, Gerhart, Harvin and Rudolph, but it's telling that Aromashodu, Camarillo, Berrian and Jenkins all had a significant amount of snaps and did little with them. The Vikings are hoping that Jerome Simpson can step in and be the solution across from Harvin while Greg Childs and Jarius Wright develop.
Harvin is a tremendous and dynamic talent, but the Vikings still lack a true number one wideout and will have to once again rely heavily on Adrian Peterson who is coming off a torn ACL (and miraculously looks like he'll be able to play week 1). It will be interesting to see if the Vikings stellar run game can stay on track with Jim Kleinsasser retiring. Just to put into perspective his contribution, Kleinsasser has in on 206 plays run blocking to Peterson and Gerhart's 325 combined run plays.
The Vikings drafted Blair Walsh who could prove to be a pivotal player if they have another season where the majority of their games are close.
Biggest Assets: John Sullivan, Matt Kalil, Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Jared Allen, Brian Robison, Kevin Williams, Erin Henderson, Antoine Winfield.
Needs to Improve: Christian Ponder
Bottom Line: The Vikings have a lot of talented players, but the onus is on Christian Ponder to get this team over the hump. Unfortunately, the front office has failed to significantly improve on Ponder's supporting cast. Jerome Simpson, Jarius Wright and Greg Childs may contribute, but will not significantly improve this offense (though Childs could be a solid long term answer). This is a team that could get eight or so wins, but in the pass happy NFC North they will have trouble keeping pace putting up points and stopping the pass.
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