Breaking News: Minnesota Vikings To Franchise Chad Greenway, Updated Draft Needs

The Minnesota Vikings have announced their intention to use the Franchise Tag on outside linebacker Chad Greenway. Should a new Collective Bargaining Agreement be signed, and franchise tags recognized by the NFLPA after the fact, Greenway will collect $9.680 million in 2011 as the team's designated franchise player.

The rules regarding franchise tags is that the team that assigns the franchise tag to a player must pay him the average of the top five salaries at his position, in Greenways's case, outside linebacker, or 120 percent of the player's 2010 salary, whichever is greater.

The move to sign Greenway, or at least restrict his movement, is a smart play for the Vikings. This leaves Minnesota with few key free agents left to re-sign, and marks one gigantic need off their to-do list for this offseason.

With the NFL Draft, and potentially free agency, approaching we take a look at the Vikings remaining team needs.

Quarterback

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Joe Webb #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a first quarter pass while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Brett Favre is finally done, right?

Quarterback is a big need for the 2011 Vikings. They have the talent to be a Super Bowl contender, but to do that they must add a quarterback who can, at the very minimum, manage the game and limit turnovers.

The Vikings plan to run a version of the West Coast offense. This puts emphasis on the quarterback's accuracy and mobility more than any other trait. Thankfully there are a good crop of second-tier quarterbacks available who could come in and learn behind an established veteran free agent.

More so than any other position, the Vikings must add a quarterback who can lead them.

Cornerback

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HONOLULU - JANUARY 30: Antoine Winfield, #26 of the Minnesota Vikings during the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl against the American Football Conference (AFC) at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Starting cornerback Lito Sheppard is entering free agency, and few believe he will be back in 2011. Antoine Winfield is still one of the best pure cover men in the NFL, despite getting up there in age.

The Vikings could look at adding a cornerback as early as round one, largely depending on which players fall to them there. Quarterback is the biggest need on this roster, but cornerback is a close second place.

Outside Linebacker

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to pass against Ben Leber #51 of the Minnesota Vikings at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Im

Even with Chad Greenway returning in 2011, Ben Leber will still be a free agent. Not only is Leber unlikely to return next fall, but the team could use a major upgrade at the position to compliment Greenway.

It will be interesting to see if Leslie Frazier employs a traditional 4-3/Cover 2 scheme, and if he looks for undersized linebackers with more speed and athleticism.

Outside linebacker is not the immediate need that it was before signing Greenway, but the Vikings must address this in the early to middle rounds of the draft.

Defensive Tackle

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against Kevin Williams #93 of the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Pat Williams has made comments that this could be his last year. His status as a free agent also makes his leaving more likely. Kevin Williams is one of the best tackles in the NFL, but he needs a big body next to him that can draw double teams.

Finding a defensive tackle to team with Williams is a priority, but this will not be an early draft pick unless a major talent falls to them.

Wide Receiver

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Joe Webb #14 and Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 28, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Ima

Sidney Rice is a free agent. Percy Harvin cannot stay healthy. Bernard Berrian is incompetent. This leaves little for whomever the new quarterback will be in Minnesota.

The Vikings traditionally value mid-round wide receivers, and we expect that to be the case again in 2011. Players like Austin Pettis, Vincent Brown and Greg Salas could be very appealing to the Vikings in rounds three through five.

Offensive Tackle

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Phil Loadholt #71 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Vikings have one of the best left sides in the NFL, but the right side has been weak for the past few seasons.  Guard Anthony Herrara and tackle Phil Loadholt are serviceable, but given the chance to upgrade the Vikings would move quickly to do so.

This is a spot where the team could find someone in round one, or even wait until the late rounds to add depth. Many feel the Vikings brass are not as worried about upgrading the line as many analysts and fans are.

Safety

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers is brought down by Antonio Winfield #26 and Madieu Williams #20 of the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by M

The Vikings ignored the safety position in the 2010 draft, to the surprise of many. Madieu Williams is good enough, but if given the chance to get younger at the position, the Vikings should pull the trigger. Just like free safety, strong safety is a need the Vikings didn't address last year. Tyrell Johnson looks promising when healthy, but depth is a need here.