
Thanks to all the readers who submitted questions via Twitter for this morning's Vikings Q & A session. Let's get started …
Susie Stinton (via email): Which do you think is greater, the loss of Stefon Diggs or the loss of key defensive players? Which will be easier to fill?
AK: More than 4,500 defensive snaps – or 37% – need to be replaced on the Vikings defense, which is before a potential trade with safety Anthony Harris. The defensive overhaul will be the bigger undertaking just based on numerous vacancies. The Vikings deploy fewer receivers than just about any NFL offense, which isn't to understate the hole Diggs leaves out wide, but a few players will be asked to step up compared to 7-10 affected defenders from starters to reserves. Despite last year's defensive issues, the Vikings still ranked fifth allowing 18.9 points per game.
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@alrmpls: While it probably makes a lot of sense to move back, what are the chances that the Vikings package some of their current picks to move up for a top OT, CB or WR?
AK: This is intriguing, since the Vikings typically don't enter a draft with 12 picks (they typically accumulate them in draft-day trade backs, including five deals last year) and a high-end safety in Anthony Harris they're willing to deal. So why not try to trade up if the right player falls in range? It would go against trend, however. Since Spielman traded up for Harrison Smith (2012), Cordarrelle Patterson (2013) and Teddy Bridgewater (2014) in first rounds, he's primarily focused on trading back at a frenetic pace. By my count, the Vikings accepted 20 draft-day pick swaps in the last five years with only four deals to move up for Dalvin Cook, Pat Elflein, Daniel Carlson and David Morgan.
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@TSchwartz28: What will an exclusively online draft process look like?