With free agency officially upon us we’re starting to get a clearer picture of needs for every team. Obviously as players sign or resign with teams, these needs are going to change. But based on their current roster situation, these are the Minnesota Vikings biggest needs in this April’s NFL Draft.
Wide Receiver
Percy Harvin really wants out of Minnesota and if he isn’t traded he’s likely to holdout. Even if he plays one more season for the Vikings, he’s often injured and will depart via free agency at the end of next year. Jerome Simpson was largely ineffective as a free agent signing and Minnesota desperately needs to add a playmaker to the passing game; with or without Harvin. We could see the Vikings target free agents like Greg Jennings, Mike Wallace or Dwayne Bowe, which would make this need less pressing; but as of now, wide reciever is a huge need for the Vikings.
Linebacker
Jasper Brinkley is currently a free agent and may want more money than the Vikings are willing to give him. He missed all of 2011 with a hip injury and hasn’t really turned into the star Minnesota hoped he would be. Binkley is really only good against the run, but could be brought back as a situational linebacker for the right price. Either way, the Vikings need an inside linebacker that is good against both the pass and the run and can play every down.
Defensive tackle
At age 32, Kevin Williams still does a good job, but he likely only has a season or two of high production left. The Vikings need to find another talented tackle to pair with Williams along the defensive front so that when the Vikings eventually lose Williams, they’ll still have one talented starter at the position.
Cornerback
Antoine Winfield is another great example of a talented, older veteran that won’t be around for too much longer. The Vikings are really lacking in playmakers behind Winfield in the secondary and would really benefit from adding a talented, physical and young coverage-type corner to compliment Winfield and eventually take his place as the No. 1 corner on the depth chart.
Offensive Line Depth
Phil Loadholt is currently a free agent, and the Vikings have to retain him. If they do, offensive line is the least pressing need in this year’s draft; as they’ll only be looking to add depth at the tackle or guard position. But if they allow Loadholt to sign with another team, right tackle will skyrocket to the top of this list.
Quarterback
The next two seasons are going to be the make-or-break years for Christian Ponder. In my opinion he has all of the tools to be a top-ten quarterback in the NFL. The big question will be if he can put it all together. The Vikings would benefit from taking a quarterback in the late rounds that they could groom behind Ponder and give time to develop: that way if things with Ponder don’t pan out, the Vikings can turn to their quarterback-in-waiting. If things do go well with Ponder, Minnesota could keep said hypothetical backup quarterback as insurance or trade him for decent compensation.