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Dan Wiederer: A look at what the Vikings have — and need — at linebacker
Current starters: Chad Greenway, Erin Henderson.
Reserves under contract: Audie Cole, Marvin Mitchell, Tyrone McKenzie, Larry Dean.
Biggest offseason move: Three of the Vikings' top four linebackers from a year ago hit free agency. Two — Henderson and Mitchell — were re-signed. The other — Jasper Brinkley — moved on to Arizona. That was a calculated decision by the Vikings, who after doing full evaluations at the end of last season felt compelled to use this year's draft as a way of finding a new starting middle linebacker.
Level of draft need: High. Chad Greenway and Henderson bring continuity. But the Vikings are without a starting middle linebacker and need one who not only has athleticism, toughness and coverage ability but is an on-field leader and can be relied on as a three-down force.
You should know: The coaching staff feels like Henderson is getting closer and closer to realizing his true potential. That's why they were vocal in expressing the desire to re-sign Henderson as the starting weakside linebacker. That deal got done with the 26-year-old signing on for $4 million over the next two years.
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