Minnesota Vikings: Offseason Analysis

The Minnesota Vikings have a major need to address at quarterback.

Tarvaris Jackson may eventually turn into a decent signal caller, but the defense is aging, and the window is closing quickly. 

The Vikings are more than set at running back with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.

Bernard Berrian was the deep threat they were looking for and Bobby Wade is a solid slot wide receiver. Sidney Rice was a disappointment, but everyone was probably a year off in his development.  He’s a red-zone threat with eight of his 46 career receptions (17%) going for touchdowns. 

Visanthe Shiancoe had a breakout year at tight end for the Purple. Blocking tight end Jim Kleinsasser is an unrestricted free agent, but I think they’ll find a way to bring him back.  The same can’t be said for Matt Birk, who will be moving on.

Defensively, the Vikings could start the season without the Williams Wall (Pat & Kevin) for the first four games if their suspensions aren’t overturned. Jared Allen was all the Vikings could have hoped for an more. 

The Vikes' defensive line is in good shape, but some of their key backups (Fred Evans, Otis Grigsby) are free agents.  They’ll likely try to bring them back for depth and suspension insurance.

They’ll get a big bump from the return of middle linebacker E.J. Henderson, who forms a solid linebacking corps with Ben Leber and Chad Greenway.  Napoleon Harris was decent filling in for Henderson.  He’s a free agent so there’s a chance they don’t bring him back. 

I’m guessing they’ll take a middle linebacker to groom in the draft.  Safety Darren Sharper has more than likely played his last game for the Vikings, in which case they’ll have to address that need. 

They could use some more depth at corner as well.

KFFL Free Agent Tracker:

Pos	Player Name	FA Status	Previous Team	Current Team
RB	Albert Young	Re-signed	Minnesota Vikings	Minnesota Vikings
FB	Naufahu Tahi	RFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
WR	Robert Ferguson	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
WR	Jaymar Johnson	Re-signed	Minnesota Vikings	Minnesota Vikings
TE	Jim Kleinsasser	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
OT	Marcus Johnson	RFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
C	Matt Birk	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
OL	Brian Daniels	Re-signed	Minnesota Vikings	Minnesota Vikings
DL	Kenderick Allen	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
DL	Fred Evans	RFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
DL	Otis Grigsby	RFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
DL	Jimmy Kennedy	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
DL	Jayme Mitchell	RFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
DL	Kenechi Udeze	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
DL	Ellis Wyms	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
LB	Heath Farwell	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
LB	Napoleon Harris	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
LB	Dontarrious Thomas	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
CB	Charles Gordon	RFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
CB	Benny Sapp	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
CB	Marcus Walker	Re-signed	Minnesota Vikings	Minnesota Vikings
SS	Michael Boulware	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent
SS	Darren Sharper	UFA	Minnesota Vikings	Free Agent