Minnesota Vikings: Breaking Down the Rookie Class After the Preseason

In 2011, the Minnesota Vikings created a strong rookie class that has put the franchise in position to double its win total over a one-year period (although it should be noted Minnesota won a mere three games in 2011).

Christian Ponder, Kyle Rudolph and Mistral Raymond highlight that 2011 class. All three should be major contributors this year.

This year, Minnesota has nine players who will experience their first NFL game day on Sunday Sept. 9.

Here's a look at those nine players and what type of impact they can have this season.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Quarterback

Of all the players on this list, McLeod Bethel-Thompson would win the pre-training-camp award for least likely to make Minnesota's opening-day roster.

It appeared that the franchise was set with Sage Rosenfels as its No. 3 quarterback, signing him to a two-year deal this offseason. Apparently, the Vikings have had a change of heart since then.

Rosenfels was a veteran eye that could help second-year player Christian Ponder develop as a quarterback. However, it seems that Bethel-Thompson's talent was too great to pass up.

Bethel-Thompson shouldn't play a down this year, barring injuries to Ponder and Joe Webb, who are firmly entrenched in front of him.

But Bethel-Thompson has a phenomenal arm. Quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson referred to Bethel-Thompson as a "flamethrower" during training camp, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

And it wasn't just Minnesota interested in Bethel-Thompson prior to training camp. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported in that same story that Miami, Dallas and San Francisco were interested in his services before he ultimately signed with Minnesota.

Long term, Ponder should be Minnesota's future under center. But if he falters,  Bethel-Thompson is a name to watch. If he learns the offense and fine tunes his accuracy...you never know.

Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle

Matt Kalil didn't blow anyone away with his performances in the preseason. He made some great blocks, but also missed some assignments and allowed Christian Ponder to get sacked. 

But all the while, he showed the potential to be a left tackle who can handle his own on the outside.

Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN Tweeted on July 31, "Matt Kalil just stonewalled Jared Allen two snaps in a row in one on ones. Allen cursed loudly."

Jared Allen is the game's best defensive end, and Kalil proved himself able to slow down Allen through much of training camp. That's got to be worth something.

Get excited about Kalil. He'll have games where he'll play like a Pro Bowl left tackle. However, expect him to have his share of struggles too.

Bottom line: He projects as Minnesota's left tackle for the next 10 years with many Pro Bowl appearances coming his way.

Harrison Smith, Safety

The Minnesota Vikings traded back into the first round to merely have the opportunity to select Harrison Smith, snapping him up with the No. 29 pick. That's how much the Vikings believe in this kid.

Vikings fans are also excited at Smith's prospects, as well they should be. Smith won't ever be mistaken as the NFL's fastest safety, but he puts himself in positions to succeed. His intelligence is his greatest asset.

On top of his intelligence, Smith is a hard-hitting safety who's not afraid to announce his presence with authority—just ask San Diego receiver Mike Willie. Smith's hit against Willie earned him a $21,000 fine and a 15-yard penalty.

He brings physicality and intensity to a secondary that lacked both in 2011.

The defensive backfield will be better than it was in 2011. This is, in part, because of Smith.

Josh Robinson, Cornerback

It was a busy offseason for the Vikings in terms of fixing up their defensive backfield.

Minnesota signed veteran cornerbacks Zackary Bowman and Chris Carr in an effort to solidify one of the worst cornerback units in the league in 2011.

Fast forward to today and the Vikings are without Bowman and Carr...and that's by choice, not injury.

Part of the reason those two were cut was because of their lackluster performance in the preseason. Another less-talked-about reason has to be the performance of Josh Robinson during the preseason.

At 5'10", Robinson isn't the tallest cornerback, but he certainly has a case to be called one of the fastest, as demonstrated by his 4.33 40-yard dash at the 2012 NFL Combine.

The preseason wasn't easy on Robinson as he battled a hamstring injury early in camp and then left Minnesota's third preseason game with symptoms of a concussion.

But Robinson made enough of an impression to be in prime position to be Minnesota's nickelback to start the season. He could then move outside later in the season, which would allow veteran Antoine Winfield to move inside.

Rhett Ellison, Tight End/Fullback

What we saw from Rhett Ellison this preseason affirmed what we knew about him before the preseason: His blocking skills are excellent, while his skills with the football are very average.

Ellison recorded six receptions for 43 yards in the preseason. At 6'5" and 250 pounds, Ellison is built more like a tight end, but spent his senior year at Southern California as a fullback.

He will provide Minnesota with nice versatility on a roster with three other tight ends and one fullback.

If Ellison is to maintain a spot on Minnesota's roster long term, there's one person whose advice he should seek: Jim Kleinsasser.

Like Kleinsasser, Ellison's skills with the football are limited, but he's known as a standout blocker. Whenever he touches the field, he must create lanes for Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart. If he doesn't, then he'll be an unemployed NFL player.

Jarius Wright, Wide Receiver

Take away the preseason finale, a game in which NFL teams typically rest their starters, and Jarius Wright's preseason was extremely disappointing.

He finished the four-game stretch with six catches for 122 yards. All six of those catches and all 122 of those yards came against the Houston Texans in the fourth preseason game.

You can see why his preseason would be dubbed a disappointment.

Wright was supposed to be in a position to make an impact on Minnesota's receiving corps in 2012. That was the talk prior to training camp. Well, don't hold your breath anymore.

The former Arkansas Razorback is far down on the depth chart, behind Percy Harvin, Michael Jenkins, Devin Aromashodu and Stephon Burton. When Jerome Simpson returns in Week 4, then Wright will be pushed further down the list.

With Minnesota expected to feature more two-tight-end sets in 2012, there will be fewer opportunities for wide receivers to get playing time, further hurting Wright's chances of making a major impact.

While his offensive productivity will be limited, he could be an impact player on special teams. Wright showed some skills as a punt returner during the preseason.

Marcus Sherels is the No. 1 punt returner, but should he get injured or struggle, look for Wright to assume the duties.

Robert Blanton, Safety

It's difficult to gauge what type of player Robert Blanton will be as a rookie, as injuries robbed him of three quarters of the preseason. In Week 4 of the preseason, Blanton recorded seven tackles in an extended role.

Even if he had been healthy, it's unlikely that Blanton would have played much defensively.

However, Blanton should get involved on special teams.

The Vikings drafted Blanton in the fifth round to create depth in a secondary that had next to none in 2011. What's great about Blanton is that he creates depth at safety and cornerback.

Blanton primarily played cornerback while at Notre Dame, but is currently making the transition to safety.

He has the build and intelligence to make it as a defensive back in the NFL (6'1" and 200 pounds) but his speed will hurt him (4.66-second 40-yard dash at the 2012 NFL Combine).

Blair Walsh, Kicker

While we all figured Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith would be starters at some point in 2012, Blair Walsh was guaranteed a starting spot on May 7, when the Vikings cut veteran Ryan Longwell.

Without Longwell on the roster, Walsh stood alone as Minnesota's placekicker. I was skeptical of the move prior to training camp. Walsh struggled with accuracy during his senior season at the University of Georgia (21-of-35 on field goals).

His leg strength has never been a concern, nor will it ever be. Walsh has the ability to consistently drill 55-yard field goals, and as a kickoff specialist can routinely boot the ball out of the endzone.

The concern was his accuracy. But Walsh did his best to reduce those concerns this preseason by making 9-of-12 field goal attempts.

It's early, but the move to cut Longwell looks good at this juncture.

Audie Cole, Linebacker

If it wasn't the best individual performance over a 13-second stretch ever, then it certainly was one of them.

Audie Cole recorded two interceptions for two touchdowns in the second half of Minnesota's matchup with the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the preseason.

Prior to that eye-opening performance, Cole was likely not in a position to make Minnesota's final roster. But it happened, and Cole will be in purple and gold on Sept. 9 for Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season.

Cole won't be a difference maker on Minnesota's defense. He's the third-string middle linebacker. Barring injuries or disappointing performances, he won't touch the field at all on defense.

The way Cole will impact the game will be on special teams. It's been pointed out that Cole recorded an unimpressive time in the 40-yard dash at the 2012 NFL Combine (4.81 seconds).

However, Cole plays faster when the game clock's ticking. You won't see him much in 2012. But if you're looking for Cole, you will see him making things happen on special teams.