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Minnesota Vikings
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - A lot will depend on how Brad Johnson returns from his neck injury. Johnson was on his way to developing into one of the best young QB's in the NFL, when a neck injury forced him out of action. Johnson seems to be ahead of schedule, and should be ready to start throwing in the spring. The team made a smart move in getting backup QB Randall Cunningham re-signed. Cunningham played well for them late in the season, leading them to a road playoff win. Jay Walker will likely lose the #3 QB spot to Todd Bouman, who spent last season as the #4. They like Bouman, and think he has a chance to develop.
RB - One of the more deeper units on this football team. Made Robert Smith the 2nd highest paid RB this offseason. Smith is one of the few RB's in the NFL that is a true gamebreaker. Leroy Hoard is the likely candidate to back Smith up. Hoard is a more physical inside runner. The major change may be in the nickle package. WR/RB David Palmer didn't fit in that role last season, and the team will likely look to RB Moe Williams to fill that role. Williams is a fluid athlete, and catches the ball well out of the backfield. This is not a position that needs to be addressed in the draft.
WR - One of the most lethal duos in the NFL in Cris Carter and Jake Reed. They got Reed re-signed late in the season, before the FA signing period started. The mystery spot is the #3 WR... last season they tried Chris Walsh and rookie Matthew Hatchette. Neither was real effective in that role. Walsh is more of a #4 WR/ ST guy. while Hatchette is still raw. A sleeper may be Tony Bland, who has spent the past 2 seasons on the practice squad. Bland will get a long look in the preseason. Robert Tate spent last season on IR with an ankle injury, but will vie for time. Could draft another WR somewhere late in the draft.
TE - Team re-signed Andrew Glover this offseason. They weren't left with much choice, as he is the only true pass catching TE on their roster. Glover gives them an athletic presence, and a guy that allows the WR's to get freed up on the outside. Backups Hunter Goodwin and Greg DeLong are better blockers than receivers. They like young TE Grant Baynham... he spent 1997 on the practice squad, and will play in the WFL this season.
OL - Unit was kept intact with the re-signings of LT Todd Steussie and RG David Dixon. This is one of the better run blocking/pass blocking units in the NFL. Dixon was a key re-sign. He doesn't get a lot of credit, but he's a big wide body with better AA than people think. They may draft a guy to start developing, but this is a fairly deep unit. If young players Bob Sapp and Orlando Bobo continue to develop, this unit will be in good shape for some time to come.
DL - Up and down last season, but found a formula late in the season that worked when they moved John Randle to DE. Expect Randle to be back at DT, at least early in the season. If DE's Derrick Alexander and Fernando Smith continue to be erratic though, don't be surprised to see Randle go outside, with 2nd year DT Tony Williams moving inside, Staline Colinet and Duane Clemons also figure to see duty at DE. A lot of bodies here, they just have to find a rotation that works.
LB - The starters are solid, but depth is a big ?... Ed McDaniel will continue to start at MLB, with Dwayne Rudd at WLB. Rudd had a solid rookie season, and should continue to take his game to the next level. McDaniel is an underrated player, but is not a prototypical run stuffing MLB, and can get caught up in traffic at times. Team isn't sure if Artie Ulmer is going to develop, so look for them to take a LB or two in draft. They have had problems staying healthy in this unit, so depth is a must.
DB - Problem area. Vikes will lead you to believe thay aren't concerned, but bottom line is that they only have 1 experienced DC on the roster right now. DC Dewayne Washington was signed as a FA by the Steelers, leaving much maligned Corey Fuller as the only veteran left. They could be in trouble if DC Antonio Banks does not develop in the WFL this offseason. They have a lot of bodies at DS, so they should be fine there. Look for them to take a DC or two early in the draft if they don't add a FA before the draft.
ST - Will try their 4th PK in 3 years... have not had a steady gut since PK Fuad Reveiz. Gary Anderson kicked well for the 49ers last season, and should be an upgrade to Eddie Murray. PT Mitch Berger needs to become more consistent. Vikes need to bring in a PT to challenge him in the preseason. The Vikes have numerous guys who can double as a RS, but none are better than David Palmer who is a very elusive target in the open field.
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