NFL power rankings: Training camp edition
By Brad Weiss
Minnesota Vikings
, NFC North
The Minnesota Vikings traded away their first round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles last year, as starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater blew out his knee during the preseason. The injury forced them to give up last April’s first round pick for Sam Bradford, who played well at times for the Vikings last season. Minnesota got off to a very fast start to the season, but eventually finished the year behind Green Bay and Detroit in the NFC North.
Without a first round pick, the Vikings made their first choice in the second round, picking up running back Dalvin Cook from Florida State. Cook will be joined in the backfield by free agent signing Latavius Murray, who was a touchdown machine for the Oakland Raiders last season. Holdover Jerick McKinnon will also be in the mix for carries, as the team looks to put the Adrian Peterson-era in the rearview mirror.
Head coach Mike Zimmer is one of the better defensive-minded coaches in the NFL, and it showed last season. Despite the offense fluttering at times, the Vikings defense was solid, and it should also be very good in 2017. Guys like Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith really stepped up last season, and Anthony Barr is as solid a linebacker as their is in the NFC North.
This Vikings team is a head-scratcher, as they do have the talent to be very good this season. However, they play in a very tough division, and it is difficult to see both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions struggling in 2017. Their out-of-division opponents come from the AFC North and NFC South, so outside of games against the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Los Angeles Rams, it is going to be tough sledding every week.