Vikings draft preview: Linebacker in first round? No (probably)

In the days leading up to the 2016 NFL draft, which runs April 28-30, we will break down where the Vikings stand at each position group on the roster. The Vikings have the 23rd overall pick. Today, we continue the series with a look at the linebackers.

The Vikings presumably assumed last year that a couple of 23-year-old linebackers in their first and second NFL seasons would avoid the NFL injury bug for 16-plus games. But rookie Eric Kendricks and second-year pro Anthony Barr missed two games apiece and parts of other games because of injuries.

And it didn't help from a depth perspective that Edmond Robinson was a raw seventh-rounder from Newberry College. Or that Brandon Watts still hadn't progressed. Or that Audie Cole landed on injured reserve.

It did help that 10-year vet Chad Greenway stayed healthy and effective. But the Vikings still were left to scramble and sign veteran Jason Trusnik off the street.

This year, the Vikings are more prepared for some potential hiccups at linebacker. They re-signed Greenway and Cole. They reached back to coach Mike Zimmer's days as Bengals defensive coordinator to grab Emmanuel Lamur. They signed former Lion Travis Lewis. And Robinson presumably will keep progressing after a promising rookie season for a kid with tremendous physical tools.

With talent and more depth at linebacker, it's difficult to believe the rumors that the Vikings could be targeting Ohio State outside linebacker Darron Lee in the first round. Yes, Lee reportedly visited Winter Park. And, yes, he and some other linebackers look like great value at No. 23.

But where's the need? Barr is set on the strong side and has All-Pro potential written all over him if he can stay healthy. Kendricks looked tremendously instinctive, and is a fast player who can tackle. The two of them are three-down players, which means they'll be the only linebackers on the field when the Vikings go from their base defense to the nickel packages they use roughly 50 percent of the time.

With Greenway on his way out after this season, it is possible that the smaller Kendricks becomes the weak-side backer in 2017. The Vikings could look to add a more traditional inside linebacker who could become a starter next season.

The team did bring in Alabama inside linebacker Reggie Ragland, a unanimous All-America pick and the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year, for a visit. He's built like a true inside backer, but has pass rushing skills. He's projected to go in the bottom half of the first round.

We're not ruling out linebacker in the first round. But it's not the itch we're expecting the Vikings to scratch at No. 23. Not after investing a first-rounder in Barr in 2014 and a second-rounder in Kendricks in 2015.

Projected starters: WLB Chad Greenway, MLB Eric Kendricks, SLB Anthony Barr.

Don't forget about: Emmanuel Lamur. Coach Mike Zimmer said he'll play on the weak side, which is a change from where Lamur was playing in Cincinnati. He's 26, seven years younger than Greenway, and he'll no doubt be given a shot to earn playing time. Chad is a fantastic leader and a savvy veteran, but this is a cutthroat league. Younger and faster often wins out.

Five prospects to remember: Darron Lee, OLB, Ohio State; Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia; Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama; De'Vondre Campbell, OLB, Minnesota; Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA.