Vikings rookies: The kids will be needed

With a new regime comes a new scheme. And with a new scheme comes a shake-up of the roster. ¶ The best teams construct their rosters through the draft. The Vikings already have some prized young talent with which to build, but they received quite a haul with this year's rookie class for coach Mike Zimmer and his staff to develop. ¶ "I'm expecting quite a few of them to play," Zimmer said. ¶ The Vikings had 10 draft picks and a flurry of rookie free agents who showed flashes during the offseason. We focus on the team's top five picks and one Day 3 selection who forced his way into the conversation.

[No. 5]

QB Teddy Bridgewater

The 32nd overall pick will start his career as a backup to Matt Cassel. But don't let that fool you — Bridgewater had a solid performance in the preseason. He made his first start in the preseason finale and was sharp, but Bridgewater's next outing depends on how Cassel performs. The former Louisville star is the future quarterback of the franchise, whether that era begins this year or next, and Zimmer's success in Minnesota could rest in the 21-year-old's hands.

[No. 39]

CB Jabari Price

Price was the last pick the Vikings made, 225th overall in the seventh round out of North Carolina, and could have the biggest impact outside of the team's two first-round picks. A bit undersized at 5-11, Price ascended the depth chart from organized team activities to get in the mix on first and second teams during training camp. Price gives Zimmer a physical cornerback at a crucial position needing depth, and he could serve as an asset on special teams, too.

RB Jerick McKinnon

The Vikings took a shot on the Georgia Southern do-it-all athlete who posted impressive numbers at the NFL combine. He brings a shifty, change-of-pace style in the backfield behind Adrian Peterson and Matt Asiata. McKinnon will need to continue improving as a pass protector — something he never had to do in college. He'll be an option in two-back formations and third-down situations, but McKinnon is unlikely to get a bunch of carries.

[No. 66]

OL David Yankey

Viewed as a possible steal in the fifth round, Yankey probably won't make an immediate impact on the offensive line. Yankey, 22, carries great size at 6-6 and 315 pounds, but the Vikings will roll with veteran offensive guard Charlie Johnson to start the season. Yankey, a two-time All-America guard at Stanford, missed most of the OTAs because of Pac-12 rules requiring players to finish quarters before participating in drills. He is a work in progress.

DE Scott Crichton

Crichton will serve as Everson Griffen's backup at right defensive end and could play a role similar to the one Griffen played during his first four years with the Vikings. Crichton, like Yankey from a Pac-12 school (Oregon), missed OTAs and had to play catch-up on defense. The third-rounder could use the season to develop, but Crichton (6-3, 275) has a chance to make an impact on special teams, where Griffen thrived before earning a starting spot.

[No. 55]

LB Anthony Barr