Evan Silva of Rotoworld ranked all 32 NFL teams based on projected offensive and defensive starters for the 2013 season. He ranked the Seattle Seahawks No. 1 overall. The Packers are ranked 4th, the Bears 8th and the Lions 23rd. The Vikings came in at No. 15 on his list.
Below is Silva’s synopsis of the Vikings, with projected starters, courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.
QB: Christian Ponder
RB: Adrian Peterson
FB: Jerome Felton
WR: Greg Jennings*
WR: Cordarrelle Patterson*
TE: Kyle Rudolph
LT: Matt Kalil
LG: Charlie Johnson
C: John Sullivan
RG: Brandon Fusco
RT: Phil Loadholt
Offensive Overview: Patterson won’t be handed the X receiver job, but I penciled in the rookie because it would be a major disappointment if he didn’t wind up playing more snaps than incumbent Jerome Simpson. Peterson, Felton, Jennings, Rudolph, Kalil, Sullivan, and Loadholt are all quality to elite NFL starters and the calling cards of Minnesota’s offense. In order for the Vikings to crack the top 10-12, they’ll need Ponder to join that group. With all five offensive line starters back and gobs of talent added to the receiver corps, Ponder’s supporting cast isn’t an excuse. Another concern is Minnesota’s shaky depth. They’re a Ponder injury from starting Matt Cassel, and a Peterson injury from Toby Gerhart. Either would be a crippling blow to this unit.
RE: Jared Allen
LE: Brian Robison
DT: Kevin Williams
DT: Sharrif Floyd*
MLB: Erin Henderson
SLB: Chad Greenway
WLB: Gerald Hodges*
LCB: Chris Cook
RCB: Xavier Rhodes*
FS: Harrison Smith
SS: Jamarca Sanford
Defensive Overview: The additions of Floyd and DE Lawrence Jackson give Minnesota impressive up-front depth and rotation possibilities that could keep the starters fresh and make all of the members more effective. The Vikings boast one of the NFL’s top front fours. Floyd is written in as a starter here, but he and Williams actually play the same three-technique position. Letroy Guion may continue to start on the nose, but I anticipate Floyd and Williams playing the most snaps. The big camp battle will take place at middle linebacker, where Henderson is preparing to play but may give way to Audie Cole if Cole has a big August. The Vikings look imposing on the backend. Cook (6’2/212) and Rhodes (6’2/210) are massive, long-armed cornerbacks, and neither is speed deficient. As a rookie, Smith flashed upside to emerge as one of the better safeties in the league.
