2011 Minnesota Vikings: An Updated Look at the Potential Starting Lineup

Yesterday, the Minnesota Vikings officially opened training camp.

Minnesota State University in Mankato will likely begin to fill with Vikings fans as camp progresses over the next two weeks.

Once those two weeks are up, the Vikings will have only four weeks to come up with their starting line-up by the end of pre-season.

This article will serve as a follow-up to my previous predictions I made before the lockout ended. I will continue to only make predictions based on the players currently on the roster. Unfortunately, that means no speculation over free agents or trades.

Hope you enjoy!

Quarterback

Donovan McNabb:

In my mind, McNabb is the clear starter. Though he won't practice until Thursday and Christian Ponder still wants to compete for the starting job, I don't think they would've brought McNabb to Minnesota if he wasn't going to start. Not to mention that McNabb has excellent leadership qualities and the fact that he's started in 12 playoff games. The veteran QB was a good pick-up for the Vikings until they hand the keys to the Bentley over to rookie Christian Ponder.

Christian Ponder:

I don't think there's any way Ponder starts on opening day in San Diego because of McNabb. This is probably for good reason. It's much better to ease Ponder into a starting role rather than just throwing the kid into the deep end and saying "sink or swim, rookie." Depending on how well McNabb plays, Ponder may not start a single game this season. If he does get a chance, look for it to be later in the season.

Running Back

Adrian Peterson:

Like I said in my previous predictions, Peterson is a no-brainer. Do you actually think the Vikings wouldn't start the No. 3 overall player in the NFL? Me neither.

Toby Gerhart:

I like Gerhart as a compliment to Peterson's explosive, elusive side. Yes, Peterson can run someone over just as well as the next guy, but Gerhart's presence means he won't always have to. With Gerhart around, the Vikings can do more power-runs and won't have to worry about it effecting Peterson's speed or durability. Gerhart also showed last year that if Peterson was unable to start, he could fill in and get the job done.

Fullback

This position is a little bit tougher to predict.

With Nafahu Tahi no longer on the roster, the Vikings won't have to worry about any more 12-men-on-the-field penalties, but they also don't have a clear starting fullback.

That being said, here are two players that could make a play for that spot.

Jim Kleinsasser:

Jim Kleinsasser, in my mind, is a true Vikings player. He's been with the team since 1999, meaning he has been with the team the longest among active players. Kleinsasser has traditionally played TE for the Vikings, but early in his career, he also took some snaps at fullback. I think that with Visanthe Shiancoe and Kyle Rudolph likely taking the top TE spots, Kleinsasser would not have much competition moving to fullback and keep some playing time.

Ryan D'Imperio:

D'Imperio spent last season behind Tahi on the depth chart at fullback. I think that he could end up winning the starting spot, should Kleinsasser choose to stay at TE.

Wide Receivers

This position is also tough to predict, but mainly because there isn't much to distinguish the starters. That being said, here's my best shot at it.

1) Michael Jenkins:

I think that Jenkins gets the No. 1 spot because he is such a veteran player. He is tall and will likely replace Sidney Rice as the Vikings' deep threat. I think that the Viking could have done better in finding a free agent receiver (Malcom Floyd and Braylon Edwards are both still available), but ultimately they found a starter in Jenkins.

2) Bernard Berrian:

I was hoping Berrian would either restructure his contract or get by the Vikings this year. He happily restructured his contact after three unimpressive seasons with the Vikings. He says that this year will be different, but that remains to be seen. Regardless, Berrian seems to have the coaching staff's confidence. I don't like Berrian as a starter, but there isn't much for better options on the current roster.

3) Manny Arceneaux:

This former CFL receiver has incredible speed and will be utilized as as deep threat. Should Berrian struggle through the season, I think Arceneaux could replace him down the road.

4) Devin Aromashodu:

This free agent acquisition from the Chicago Bears will work his way into the receiving rotation, but likely won't be a starter this year. After five seasons in the NFL, Aromashodu only has four career touchdowns. If he couldn't be a top receiver in the pathetic group of WRs in Chicago, I don't see him being a star here either.

5) Jaymar Johnson:

Johnson could surprise some people this year. His work in the off-season could propel him into a spot to contribute to the Vikings' offense this year. Who knows, maybe I've even underrated him on this list. After all, he was practicing with the ones yesterday.

Slot Receivers

The reason Percy Harvin wasn't on the previous slide is because he is much more successful in the slot that on the outside. I think that Harvin will likely get some time playing on the outside, but his clear success in the past has been in the slot.

1) Percy Harvin:

Like I said above, Harvin is the clear selection for this spot. He is one of the standout players for the Vikings and is a sort of face for the Vikings offense with Sidney Rice leaving for Seattle.

2) Greg Camarillo:

Camarillo will probably be a slot back-up should he remain on the roster after cuts begin. Harvin has had history with migraines that have kept him from playing, but he says they haven't been an issue lately. Should they return, Camarillo is probably the best option to back up Harvin in the slot.

Tight Ends

The Vikings are deep at TE, but the chain of command is very clear as of right now. The veterans will obviously be the top dogs this year as rookie Kyle Rudolph eases into an NFL workload.

1) Visanthe Shiancoe:

Shiancoe is a clear starter, he is the alpha dog among the Vikings TEs. If you read one of my previous articles, you'll see my predictions for Shiancoe having a career year. I don't think anyone on the roster can challenge Shiancoe for this spot.

2) Jim Kleinsasser:

Like I said earlier, Kleinsasser's age has limited his speed. This means that he will likely become more of a blocking TE than a receiving one, but nonetheless, He will hold this spot on the depth chart.

3) Kyle Rudolph:

This rookie out of Notre Dame has some incredible upside. Some say that he will be the league's next great TE someday. For now, though, he is a rookie all the same. Rudolph will get some playing time, but it is clear who the big dogs are in Minnesota.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle, Charlie Johnson:

Bryant McKinnie has been released by the Vikings. Not to say I told you so, but I told you so. Johnson spent last season watching Peyton Manning's blind side, so I'm sure Donovan McNabb won't mind having him rather than McKinnie.

Left Guard, Steve Hutchinson:

Hutch is a no-brainer as well. He is a great player and has always been consistent for the Vikings. No question, Hutchinson will start.

Center, Brandon Fusco:

I'm holding onto my prediction that this rookie will beat out John Sullivan and Jon Cooper for the starting job at center. Fusco is big and smart. With all of the other veteran players on the line, I think this is a good opportunity to break in a potential long-time starter.

Right Guard, Ryan Cook:

Cook spent last season playing center for the Vikings because of an injury to John Sullivan. Cook's play at center was less than impressive, but his blocking was solid. Moving him over to the RG spot will be a good move for the Vikings.

Right Tackle, Phil Loadholt:

Loadholt has started the last two seasons at this position for the Vikings. Even though he still struggles at times, I don't think there is another tackle on the roster that can challenge him for the starting spot. Loadholt is absolutely massive, and I think that we should see some clear improvement out of him this season.

Defensive Line

Right End, Jared Allen:

Another obvious one, Jared Allen is one of the most feared pass-rushers in the NFL. He will be relentless in his pursuit of 17.5 sacks in 2011, which will put him at 100 career. Allen is the clear starter.

Nose Tackle, Remi Ayodele:

This was one of the Vikings more impressive acquisitions this off-season. The former New Orleans Saint is massive and will be a great replacement for Pat Williams, who the Vikings have not re-signed. With Kevin Williams suspended for the first four games of the season, I think it was a great idea to go get a guy that can be a consistent starter on the defensive line through that time period.

Defensive Tackle, Letroy Guion (Kevin Williams):

I think that Guion is the best option to start on opening day with Williams suspended. He is huge and will help plug up the middle like the Vikings always aspire to do. Once Kevin Williams returns, Guion will move back into a rotation that will also contain rookie Christian Ballard.

Left End, Brian Robison:

I don't think the Vikings would have given Robison so much money if they weren't going to start him. I think that through training camp Everson Griffen could've competed for this spot, but with his off-season arrests, Robison is the clear starter.

On a side note, I would like to credit Justin LeClair for this, but the Vikings D-line needs a new duo with the Williams Wall no longer together. That being said, the pass-rushing duo of Brian Robison and Jared Allen deserves a nickname like the Cowboys from Hell, because Robison is from Texas and Jared Allen is the NFL's closest personality to an actual cowboy. Either way, they could be a feared duo in 2011.

Linebackers

This is probably the most consistent position group returning for the Vikings this season. All three starters will players who were in Minnesota last season.

Sam Linebacker, Chad Greenway:

Greenway got snubbed from a Pro-Bowl selection last season. He was among the top 10 tacklers in 2010 and will not be challenged for his starting spot. Greenway is one of the leaders on defense and will be a starter here for a long time, assuming the Vikings sign him to a contract extension.

Mike Linebacker, E.J. Henderson:

Henderson was one of the few Vikings who made the Pro-Bowl in 2010. I think that after overcoming a very serious leg injury and still having the kind of season he did in 2010, he is the obvious starter in 2011.

Will Linebacker, Erin Henderson:

Yes, I think that E.J.'s younger brother Erin will compete for a starting spot after the Vikings let Ben Leber walk this off-season. Henderson is the next best in line after Leber's departure. I'm very excited to see the chemistry between brothers Erin and E.J. Henderson this season.

Cornerbacks

The CBs are another area that should be easier to predict, but with the constant injuries that surround the Vikings' corners, It is difficult to predict the starters. That being said, here's my predictions assuming the CBs stay healthy.

1) Antoine Winfield:

Winfield is hands-down the best corner on the roster. He is a sure tackler, and even at his age, is one of the better cover-corners in the NFL. No doubt, he is a starter.

2) Cedric Griffin:

Griffin is the player that most concerns me in regards to injury. He barely played in 2010 because of two separate ACL injuries. As of yesterday, Griffin was feeling good and is the starter. Hopefully that will remain to be that case.

Nickel) Chris Cook:

I think that in Nickel situations, the Vikings will put Chris Cook on the field and move Antoine Winfield inside to cover the slot receiver. Cook and Griffin on the outside are both talented, but both very worrisome with their injuries. Cook tore two menisci in 2010. Hopefully, like Griffin, his injuries won't be an issue in 2011.

Dime) Brandon Burton:

In Dime situations, I think that the same three players will remain on the field, and then the Vikings will add rookie Brandon Burton to cover the fourth receiver because of his speed. You could make the argument that Asher Allen owns this spot, but I think Burton will upset in this spot.

Safeties

Free Safety, Husain Abdullah:

Abdullah is, in my opinion, the only returning safety that is fit to start for the Vikings. I'm very thankful that the Vikings chose to cut Madieu Williams, and that means that Abdullah is the clear starter as he was last season.

Strong Safety, Jamarca Sanford:

I think that Sanford is the best option on the Vikings roster right now. That's not to say that I think he is a good option, though. I think that he will start the season here, but eventually will lose the spot to someone else.

Mistral Raymond:

I'm really pulling for this kid. I'm hoping Raymond can become a big part of the Vikings' defense someday, just like he did at USF. I think that because he is a rookie, he probably won't begin the season as a starter, but could work himself into that role later in the season.

Notable Free Agents

Braylon Edwards:

I am honestly shocked that the Vikings haven't brought in Edwards to replace Sidney Rice. Edwards is still available, and the Vikings could still acquire him to be competitors in the division.

Malcom Floyd:

Floyd is in the same boat as Edwards. I think that despite his age, Floyd could be an excellent deep threat at WR for the Vikings.

Olin Kreutz:

Though I said that I think Brandon Fusco will be the starting center, I think the acquisition of Kreutz would be an excellent addition to the Vikings' offensive line and could potentially make them a playoff team.