Each day this week, we will break down where the Vikings stand at certain positions heading into next week's NFL draft. Today, we continue the series with a look at the wide receivers and tight ends.
Charles Johnson was the Vikings' No. 1 receiver by default last season. That won't be the case during quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's second season.
The Vikings provided their franchise QB with a downfield threat, trading for wide receiver Mike Wallace with the Dolphins, and they'll likely add another weapon to Bridgewater's arsenal in the draft.
The team released veteran receiver Greg Jennings, but everyone else returns at both wide receiver and tight end. It's a fairly young, and unproven, unit with Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Jarius Wright and Adam Thielen. The Vikings opted not to pick a wide receiver last year in what will likely go down as one of the best receiving classes in NFL history, but they'll have some options to upgrade the position.
Two of those include a college teammate of Bridgewater's (Louisville's DeVante Parker) and a Miami Northwestern High School teammate of Bridgewater's (Alabama's Amari Cooper).
It's also a big year for tight end Kyle Rudolph. He received a contract extension last year during training camp but has played only 17 games over the last two seasons due to injury. He'll need to show durability, but Rudolph's position is safe. Yes, even with a good prospect like Gophers tight end Maxx Williams in the draft.
Projected starters: Wallace, Johnson and Rudolph.
Don't forget about: Wright has made strides over the last two seasons in a limited amount of playing time. He has speed and the ability to make plays with the ball in his hands, like the 87-yard screen for a touchdown to beat the Jets in overtime last year.
