The Vikings' draft needs, position by position

The Vikings' draft needs, position by position

Vikings beat writers Matt Vensel and Mark Craig assess the level of need at each of the team's position groups heading into the draft:

QUARTERBACK: Low.

• Teddy Bridgewater is under team control for three more seasons, and there are certainly worse backups than Shaun Hill. This might be a need next spring, depending on the development of second-year QB Taylor Heinicke, who impressed in the 2015 preseason finale.

RUNNING BACK: Low.

• The Vikings can afford to worry about this position next offseason when Adrian Peterson will be 32 and heading into the final year of his contract. For now, they are set with the 2015 first-team All-Pro running back and his backups, Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata.

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END: At tight end, nonexistent. At wide receiver, astronomical.

• After addressing the offensive line via a coaching change and free agency, all signs point toward the Vikings using the 23rd overall pick to add a wide receiver with prototypical No. 1-type size and skill.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Moderate.

• After signing guard Alex Boone and tackle Andre Smith, the Vikings can go to camp with what they have. But if there's someone that's too good to pass up, they'll probably keep trying to add strength to the position they deemed their No. 1 offseason priority.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Low.

• The Vikings have invested heavily along the defensive line since coach Mike Zimmer was hired in 2014, including using third-round picks on ends Danielle Hunter and Scott Crichton. But this is supposed to be a great defensive line class, so they might not be able to resist.

LINEBACKER: Low.

• Youngsters Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks are the two linebackers who will be playing close to 100 percent of the snaps. If the Vikings add a linebacker, chances are he will be competing with a crowded field for the chance to be, at best, a role player with minimal snaps.

SECONDARY: Moderate at cornerback and high at safety.

• Strong safety is the one position that has been in perpetual patchwork mode in the Zimmer era. Free-agent acquisition Michael Griffin could be the answer next to Harrison Smith for the 2016, but a long-term one might not be on the roster.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Moderate.

• Kicker Blair Walsh might bounce back, but no one would blame the Vikings for having doubts. And punter Jeff Locke needs to be challenged. Given that capable specialists can be found as undrafted free agents, the Vikings don't have to use a draft pick to add competition.