We have reached that quiet time of the year in the NFL, the time in between the final minicamps and the opening of training camp.
It’s also that time of the year when sports writers and reporters start looking over their team’s roster and start making judgements based on last season about the future.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco created a list of the most overrated and underrated players for each NFL team. According to the report, Minnesota’s most overrated plater, is wide receiver Greg Jennings. Of Jennings, Prisco wrote:
He signed as a free agent last year and didn’t come close to living up to expectations. He’s just a guy now, as his 11.8 yards per catch average shows.”
Jennings’ numbers may have had something to do with the Vikings quarterback situation last season. He still led the team in receiving last year, finishing with 68 catches for 804 yards and four touchdowns.
But during his final seasons with the Packers, even with Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball, Jennings hasn’t had 1,000 yards receiving since 2010.
Even Jennings said the team’s other wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson will be featured in Norv Turner’s new offense.
On the other hand, Prisco also named Vikings offensive lineman Phil Loadholt as the most underrated player on the team.
He is a right tackle, which means it’s almost impossible for him to sniff a Pro Bowl. But he had a heck of a season on the right side for the Vikings in 2013.
According to WCCO, Loadholt’s durability is his biggest asset to the Vikings. He has stabilized the position during his career in Minnesota starting all 78 games over five years. Loadholt has missed only two games due to injury.
The Bleacher Report also recently looked at the Vikings additions for 2014. The report highlighted changes to personnel and the coaching staff, during the offseason.
Overrated Vikings additions:
- LB Jasper Brinkley
- CB Derek Cox
- LB Anthony Barr
Underrated Vikings additions:
- Coach Mike Zimmer
- CB Captain Munnerlyn
- DT Linval Joseph
