ESPN believes Vikings have NFL average roster
After a significant roster turnover over the last two years, there is a lot of hope on the Minnesota Vikings roster, but it also made the roster more potential than reality.
ESPN’s Seth Walder and Mike Clay ranked the Vikings with the 16th-ranked roster, dead average in the National Football League. They looked at four areas of the roster.
Strongest unit
Weakest unit
X factor for 2023
Nonstarter to know
Strongest unit: Offensive tackle
Offensive tackle. Minnesota has spent a ton of draft capital on the O-line in recent years, and it’s starting to pay off. LT Christian Darrisaw enjoyed a breakout 2022 season, and only Trent Williams had the highest PFF grade among tackles. RT Brian O’Neill checked in ninth over at PFF, and his 94.7% pass block win rate was third among tackles last season.-Clay
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Weakest unit: Cornerback
Patrick Peterson, Chandon Sullivan, Cameron Dantzler and Duke Shelley were Minnesota’s top four corners in 2022 snaps, and none are on the 2023 roster. Byron Murphy Jr. was a quality replacement for Peterson atop the depth chart, but the rest of the room is unproven, with a combined 297 NFL snaps. Recent Day 2 and 3 draft picks Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr. and Mekhi Blackmon are ticketed for massive roles this season.-Clay
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X factor to watch: CB Akayleb Evans and CB Andrew Booth Jr.
I’m echoing Mike here, but that pair of young, unproven corners are the clear leverage point for this team. If they struggle, the defense will too. If they succeed, the Vikings will suddenly be a team with solid pass-rush and coverage abilities.-Walder
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Nonstarter to know: RB DeWayne McBride
The rookie seventh-round pick led the FBS in rushing yards per game and was fifth in rushing yards after contact last season. While Alexander Mattison is the new starter, he a recorded negative-42 rush yards over expectation last season according to NFL Next Gen Stats, so don’t be stunned if McBride gets a look.-Walder
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