A look to the 2012 Vikings

The Vikings have done well this off season. Remaining patient and signing people that will contribute to the team. There were some questionable picks in the draft, and big gambles on signing a TE and G that were out all of 2011 due to injury and a WR that was recently released from jail for drug related offenses and will be suspended for the 1st 3 games of the season. But all that aside, Kalil should add strength which this offensive line has lacked for some time now. Johnson admittedly feels more comfortable at guard and this will allow him to move to the LG position as Kalil will take over LT duties immediately. Sully has shown competency as a C but we also brought in as an UDFA a very good C prospect in Saulsberry. Signing Schwartz will allow him to compete for the RG position and if Loadholt continues to show inconsistency, maybe even the RT position. In that case, Berger and Fusco will likely compete for the RG position. All in all, this should give Ponder a bit more protection to help him develop with his new receivers. Speaking of receivers, I mentioned the Vikings signed Jerome Simpson who will have to sit a 3 game suspension at the start of the season but after that, he will provide a big body outside receiver that the Vikings have needed. I'm sorry, but Jenkins did not impress last year and showed that he is expendable. In addition to that signing, the Vikings drafted two Razorback WRs in the 4th round in Jarius Wright and Greg Childs. Starting with Wright, he is a small bodied, quick slot receiver. But why draft a slot receiver when we already have Harvin? In a passing league, it's like to see more 3 and 4 receiver sets allowing Wright and Harvin to provide a dual threat and major mismatch in the middle of the field. Wright also has the the potential to take over some the returning duties from Harvin, allowing Harvin to focus on his role as the primary receiver at this point. Then a few picks after Wright, the Vikings drafted Greg Childs. There's enough out there about the connection between Wright and Childs since elementary school so I won't elaborate on that. But what Childs does give us is another big bodied receiver at 6'3", 220 lbs. His draft stock was hurt when he tore his patellar tendon. At a time, he was projected as being a potential first round pick but his injury caused him to slip into the 4th round, providing a steal, but very risky pick. However, he appeared fully healed at his pro day running 4.41 40 time and having a 40 1/2 inch vertical. Additionally, he has shown the mechanics required in a receiver to have a productive pro career. To see much of this, look to his 2009 and 2010 seasons. Childs has the potential to turn into the Number 1 receiver the Vikings have been looking for. But if not, he will still provide a quality target for Ponder if he is to remain healthy and the Vikings can attempt to get their #1 receiver in the 2013 draft. The Vikings also have two other down field threats in Rudolph and Carlson at TE, but again Carlson is a high risk considering his shoulder injury that had him sidelined for the entire 2011 season. It's questionable if he'll ever reach his full potential. But Rudolph has been developing with Ponder and the Rudolph/Carlson sets that we'll likely see will provide as much of a mismatch in the midfield as the Wright/Harvin tandem. If Childs and/or Simpson provide the big deep threat #1 receiver we've been looking for, that will allow the Vikings to focus on the defense in the 2013 draft. The Vikings did bring in some talent to the defense, particularly the secondary. They traded back into the 1st Round to select S Harrison Smith. While I think we night not have had to trade up to get him, non the less it's a position in dire need. Smith will immediately be a starter and it's being said that he'll likely start in the FS position. This will also Raymond and Sanford to complete the SS spot and allow Blanton to be groomed into a S spot while providing some nickle safety coverage against TE's in the league. CB Josh Robinson was selected in the 3rd round and touted to have also been a steal as he was a 2nd round prospect. He is a blazing fast corner that can contribute in the return game as well. He is a good prospect that could be a starter in a year as he develops under Winfield. He does struggle in the man coverage, which doesn't matter much at this point as the Vikings run mostly zones, but that will need to change in the future to more man and press coverages in this league. As I mentioned, if Childs or Simpson pans out into a #1 receiver for Ponder, we can turn our focus to the defense next draft. I won't be mocking any 2013 draft until the middle of the season at the lease, but more likely later in the season towards the end. But one way it could go is to draft a lock-down CB in the 1st to provide us with the option to move more towards man coverage or addressing the lack of a run-stuffing NT or ILB. We did address the ILB position with Audie Cole, but he will likely be more of a good backup and package player. The D line did get some depth with the versatile Trevor Guyton, who was slated by many as a potential 3rd round pick so what a steal the Vikings got in the 7th round, who will be allowed to compete for a roster spot. All in all, the Vikings did improve on the roster but this doesn't necessarily mean they're improve their record. I feel confident that they will, but we're no play off caliber team at this point. You never do know how draft picks will turn out and I'm basing this on the idea that Spielman's idea of how to approach the draft in picking motivated, positive young men will improve the team. I see the Vikings going 5-11 this coming season, understanding that we are still in rebuilding mode and potentially one season away from being a contender. This is part of the fun of the NFL!