Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings: Projected offensive depth chart pre-training camp

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Justin Huffman/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

After the 2017 NFL Draft with only offseason workouts lying between now and training camp, a look at the Minnesota Vikings offensive depth chart.

The offseason grind for Minnesota Vikings players continues as the roster, and it's newly drafted rookies, move through organized team activities. Dalvin Cook leads the newly drafted rookies through mandatory rookie minicamp, while the rest of the team hits the weights and prepares for Mankato, MN.

On the offensive side of the ball there are mysteries and question marks that remained unanswered at multiple position groups. Can Minnesota find a way to run the ball? Who exactly will be said starting ball carrier? Will a Pat Shurmur led offense create more explosive plays and be better in the red zone? These are a few of the questions that'll need to be resolved in order for Minnesota to make another run into the post-season.

Head coach Mike Zimmer has proven that he can lead a fully healthy squad to success, while still maintaining a team that plays right around .500 when major pieces are missing.

There have been many changes among the coaching staff, a new west-coast offensive system instilled by Pat Shurmur, with many new names joining the team as others have left. The production lost by Adrian Peterson and Cordarrelle Patterson will be key components that will need to be filled before the season starts.

Though there are questions still, let's predict who potentially will be starting for the offense, and who exactly will remain on the roster when the team cuts down to the final 53.

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Quarterback

Starter: Sam Bradford
Depth: Taylor Heinicke, Case Keenum
IR: Teddy Bridgewater

This isn't much of a debate with the current quarterback situation Minnesota is in. Sam Bradford had a career year through 15 games in purple, set an NFL completion percentage record, all the while dealing with one of the worst offensive lines in the league.

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Hopefully at some point, Teddy Bridgewater can make a full recovery and Minnesota could have a legitimate starting quarterback as their backup, just in case Bradford doesn't hold up. After the 2017 season, things get a bit dicey with both Bridgewater and Bradford due contracts, which is a whole different discussion for a later date. If Teddy cannot go for the first half of the season hypothetically, who will be the backup?

Most don't feel the same, but I think the backup role is Taylor Heinicke's to lose. Case Keenum signed a one-year deal worth $2 million, which is hardly backup money these days in the NFL. This would be Heinicke's third year in the NFL, and his second chance to move up the ladder after injuring himself last year before the preseason even started.

Heinicke has an edge up, having previous knowledge of the system from the previous year, while also having potential to be more than depth in this league. Keenum has proven he's no better than a backup at best with a limited ceiling. Look for Bridgewater to start the season on IR while Heinicke beats Keenum for the role through camp. If (or when) Bridgewater gets healthy enough to suit up, Keenum will more than likely be the man hitting the chopping block.

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Running Back

Starter: Dalvin Cook
Depth: Latavius Murray, Jerick McKinnon, C.J. Ham (Fullback)

The Vikings spent quite a bit of coin in Latavius Murray — $5 million per year for three years, to be exact. But the former bell-cow back for the Oakland Raiders has started off on the wrong foot with his injury, and just watched Minnesota draft a dynamic running back with their first selection in the second round.

Dalvin Cook's talent cannot be ignored, and Minnesota would just be being flat-out ignorant if they are kidding themselves with this running back by committee jazz. Cook comes to the NFL with a few character risks and durability concerns, but was considered by many the most complete back in the 2017 NFL Draft class.

This former Seminole runner set records at FSU, surpassing Warrick Dunn as the leading rusher in school history. His vision and speed are reminiscent of Jamaal Charles, while his tackle breaking ability may remind Vikings fans of their very own hall of famer in Adrian Peterson. He could very well become a player in a league of the same caliber as the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, David Johnson, and LeVeon Bell.

Murray will cut in on goal-line carries, while McKinnon might just add a different dynamic later on in the game, or if someone like Cook needs to be spelled. Don't let this team fool you, Cook and Murray are currently on the same playing field, Cook should be the main man by the beginning of the season.

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Wide Receiver

Starters: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen
Depth: Laquon Treadwell, Rodney Adams, Stacy Coley, Michael Floyd

If drafting Rodney Adams, Stacy Coley, and Bucky Hodges wasn't enough, Minnesota went ahead and made sure Sam Bradford was surrounded with an influx of talent after signing free agent, Michael Floyd.

There's no guarantee he will make the team as he signed a one-year, prove-it deal worth $1.5 million, which could exceed to $6 million if he performs the way he potentially could. Floyd could add a dynamic Minnesota hasn't had since Sidney Rice, a receiver who can make contested plays in the red zone and down the field.

In two receiver sets though, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are expected to start. Thielen, an undrafted free agent, has earned his stripes in this league doing an admirable job on his way to a new four-year deal with the Vikings. Diggs on the other hand, must stay healthy. There hasn't been a season in his collegiate or pro days that he hasn't missed games. Granted his rookie season was no fault of his, but the point stands. Diggs has to remain on the field.

With final cuts, the Vikings will likely be staring at Jarius Wright, Michael Floyd, Stacy Coley, and a couple of practice squad members. Minny can save a bit of cash without any penalty if they decide to do away with the veteran presence. Coley has somewhat of the same skill set Wright does, and with Floyd's ceiling, the writing may be on the wall for Wright.

Oct 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings center Joe Berger (61) takes the field before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

Left Tackle: Riley Reiff
Left Guard: Alex Boone
Center: Pat Elflein
Right Guard: Joe Berger
Right Tackle: Mike Remmers
Depth: Nick Easton, Jeremiah Sirles, Danny Isidora, Rashod Hill, Aviante Collins

The new twin towers hold down the fort on the edges while Pat Sparano moves aging veteran Joe Berger to right guard. Elflein, with the help of Boone, will become a steady center in this league.

In a twist, we have an undrafted free agent making the team in Aviante Collins. Coming out of TCU, Collins was projected by most to be selected in the top 253. That he wasn't shouldn't influence any evaluation of him. His size is ideal, and he can play multiple spots on the line. Collins fits the bill and provides quality depth at the guard and tackle positions if needed.

A surprise cut here, one that many Vikings fans clamor for, is T.J. Clemmings. I understand the guy only had a few years on the offensive line before he was drafted, but he hasn't shown with his two years of heavy playing time in the league that he'll get better. It doesn't help that Minnesota will not allow him to stay steady at one position and learn the techniques. Clemmings hasn't grown and Minnesota just hasn't done a good job developing him either.

Dec 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) celebrates a touchdown in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Vikings won 25-16. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End

Starter: Kyle Rudolph
Depth: Bucky Hodges, David Morgan

I love this three-headed monster Minnesota has formed at the tight end position. Kyle Rudolph can do it all, being the aforementioned starter for this offense. Bucky Hodges brings a skill-set that the Vikings had hoped they would get out of Mycole Pruitt when he was on the team. He's someone who can line up all over the place, create mismatches, and be a red zone asset.

David Morgan brings that Rhett Ellison aspect to Minnesota's dual tight end formations or as an H-back. Minnesota would be wise to explore Morgan's receiving ability. Yes he isn't exactly the quickest and most spry athlete on the field, but he has very underrated hands and ability to create separation with his physicality.

Minnesota did make a recent signing of Arena League star tight end, Nick Truesdell, who could potentially fly under the radar and snag a position away from either Morgan or Hodges. He just doesn't have the experience, and also has quite the off-field history with a string of incidents in college. Minnesota has enough character concerns to worry about on this roster, so I doubt they will want to maximize the amount of players they will need to babysit.