Advertisement

NFC North 2017: Top needs, NFL draft picks for all teams

By The Sports Xchange
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson waits for the hammer to drop. Art Foxall/UPI
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson waits for the hammer to drop. Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo

=============

CHICAGO BEARS

=============

Advertisement

Chicago Bears breakdown: FA, draft shopping list

As they wade through free agency and prepare to evaluate draft prospects at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine (March 1-6), the Chicago Bears must decide which players to keep as they seek to improve upon their 3-13 record from last season.

The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com evaluated the Bears' roster and created a shopping list to use in free agency and reference during the Combine.

The future of quarterback Jay Cutler is a big question in Chicago, where the brain trust has to determine whether the club's long-term quarterback is currently on the roster and, if not, how the Bears will go about figuring out who is next.

Run defense must be shored up, and the back end of the defense also needs an upgrade.

Advertisement

THE BREAKDOWN

2016 finish: 4th in NFC North (3-13)

STATISTICS

TOTAL OFFENSE: 356.5 (15th)

RUSHING: 108.4 (17th)

PASSING: 248.1 (14th)

TOTAL DEFENSE: 346.8 (15th)

RUSHING: 121.9 (27th)

PASSING: 224.9 (7th)

NEEDS, SHOPPING LIST

*=Expected to be released; option not expected to be exercised

TOP 3 NEEDS

QUARTERBACK

The Bears need a smart, young field leader with a rocket arm. Good luck with that. They may need to look for one in free agency.

UFA TARGETS (Age, 2016 salary)

Kirk Cousins, Washington (29 in August, $19.95M)

*Tony Romo, Dallas (37 in April, $18M)

Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay (28 in December, $776K)

*Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo (28 in August, $18M)

*Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco (30 in November, $19M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/12 Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina, 6-3, 220, 4.74, 1 (underclassman)

2/20 DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame, 6-4, 230, 4.76, 1 (underclassman)

3/29 Deshaun Watson, Clemson, 6-2, 215, 4.64, 1-2 (underclassman)

4/70 Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech, 6-2, 229, 4.84, 2-3 (underclassman)

Advertisement

5/99 Brad Kaaya, Miami (FL), 6-4, 210, 4.84, 3 (underclassman)

CORNERBACK

A stronger pass rush was supposed to make these cornerbacks better -- but they'd need the 1985 Bears' pass rush to compensate. Kyle Fuller is a wasted first-rounder.

UFA TARGETS (Age, 2016 salary)

A.J. Bouye, Houston (26 in August, $1.67M)

Trumaine Johnson, L.A. Rams (27, $13.95M)

Logan Ryan, New England (26, $693K)

Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo (27 in September, $3.02M)

Brandon Carr, Dallas (31 in May, $10M)

Prince Amukamara, Jacksonville (28 in June, $5.5M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht, Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/10 Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State, 6-0, 195, 4.47, 1 (underclassman)

2/15 Teez Tabor, Florida, 6-0, 201, 4.50, 1 (underclassman)

3/21 Marlon Humphrey, Alabama, 6-1, 196, 4.49, 1 (underclassman)

4/23 Sidney Jones, Washington, 6-0, 181, 4.49, 1 (underclassman)

5/34 Desmond King, Iowa, 5-11, 206, 4.53, 1-2

SAFETY

The Bears haven't had a legitimate, effective free safety since Mike Brown. It showed late in the season with all the long passes allowed.

Advertisement

UFA TARGETS (Age, 2016 salary)

Eric Berry, Kansas City (29 in December, $10.8M)

Barry Church, Dallas (29, $2.2M)

T.J. McDonald, L.A. Rams (26, $732K)

Chris Conte, Tampa Bay (28, $3M)

Quintin Demps, Houston (32 in June, $1.5M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht, Wt., Proj. Rd.)

1/4 Malik Hooker, Ohio State, 6-2, 205, 4.47, 1 (underclassman)

2/6 Jamal Adams (SS), LSU, 6-0, 211, 4.54, 1 (underclassman)

3/13 Jabrill Peppers (SS), Michigan, 6-0, 205, 4.52, 1 (underclassman)

4/43 Budda Baker, Washington, 5-10, 192, 4.52, 2 (underclassman)

5/55 Obi Melifonwu (SS), Connecticut, 6-4, 219, 4.58, 2

UFA KEEPERS

WR Alshon Jeffery (27, $14.6M)

G/C Ted Larsen (30 in June, $1.65M)

ROSTER REVIEW

DEPTH CHART

Starters and backups are listed according to their status at the end of the season, but players who were starters before being injured are included.

* Indicates player who ended 2016 season on reserve.

& Indicates player released since the Super Bowl.

QUARTERBACKS: Starters -- *Jay Cutler. Backups -- *Brian Hoyer (UFA), Matt Barkley, *Connor Shaw, David Fales (UFA).

Advertisement

RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- Jordan Howard, FB Paul Lasike. Backups -- Jeremy Langford, Ka'Deem Carey, Bralon Addison.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- *Zach Miller. Backups -- Ben Braunecker, Daniel Brown, Logan Paulsen (UFA), MyCole Pruitt.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- *Kevin White, Alshon Jeffery (UFA). Backups -- Cameron Meredith, Josh Bellamy, Deonte Thompson (UFA), *Marquess Wilson (UFA), *Eddie Royal (UFA), Daniel Braverman.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT Charles Leno Jr., LG Josh Sitton, C Cody Whitehair, *RG Kyle Long, RT Bobby Massie. Backups -- G Ted Larsen (UFA), T Mike Adams (UFA), G Eric Kush, *C Hroniss Grasu, *T Nick Becton (UFA), T Matt McCants (UFA).

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LDE Akiem Hicks, *NT Eddie Goldman, RDE Mitch Unrein. Backups -- *DE Ego Ferguson, *NT Will Sutton, DE Jonathan Bullard, DE Cornelius Washington (UFA), *NT C.J. Wilson (UFA).

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- OLB Pernell McPhee, *ILB Danny Trevathan, ILB Jerrell Freeman, OLB Leonard Floyd. Backups -- *OLB Lamarr Houston, OLB Willie Young, OLB Sam Acho, OLB Christian Jones, ILB Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB John Timu, ILB Jonathan Anderson, *ILB Danny Mason.

Advertisement

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- *CB Kyle Fuller, FS Adrian Amos, SS Harold Jones-Quartey, CB Tracy Porter. Backups -- CB Bryce Callahan, CB Cre'Von LeBlanc, CB Deiondre' Hall, CB Sherrick McManis, CB Johnthan Banks (UFA), S Chris Prosinski (UFA), DB Demontre Hurst, *CB Brandon Boykin (UFA), S DeAndre Houston-Carson, S Deon Bush.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Connor Barth (UFA), P Pat O'Donnell, LS Patrick Scales (UFA).

=============

DETROIT LIONS

=============

Detroit Lions breakdown: FA, draft shopping list

As they wade through free agency and prepare to evaluate draft prospects at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine (March 1-6), the Detroit Lions must decide which players to keep as they seek to improve upon their 9-7 record from last season.

The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com evaluated the Lions' roster and created a shopping list to use in free agency and to reference during the Combine.

Like a broken record it seems, the Lions continue to seek a difference-maker at running back. Despite the retirement of wide receiver Calvin Johnson prior to the 2016 season, quarterback Matthew Stafford remained productive in the passing game. A dynamic runner should be at the top of Detroit's wish list.

Advertisement

A middle-of-the-pack defense could be helped on the line and at linebacker, but that ability to run the ball also would aid the defense.

THE BREAKDOWN

2016 finish: 2nd in NFC North (9-7)

STATISTICS

TOTAL OFFENSE: 338.8 (21st)

RUSHING: 81.9 (30th)

PASSING: 256.9 (11th)

TOTAL DEFENSE: 354.8 (18th)

RUSHING: 106.3 (18th)

PASSING: 248.4 (19th)

NEEDS, SHOPPING LIST

&=Released

*=Option not expected to be exercised or expected to be released

TOP 3 NEEDS

LINEBACKER

With no depth whatsoever at the position and DeAndre Levy's future in question, the Lions need a three-down linebacker.

UFA TARGETS (Age, 2016 salary)

OLB:

Chandler Jones, Arizona (27, $2.04M)

Nick Perry, Green Bay (27 in April, $5.05M)

Melvin Ingram, L.A. Chargers (28 in April, $2.1M)

DeMarcus Ware, Denver (35 in July, $10M)

Julius Peppers, Green Bay (37, $8.67M)

ILB:

Dont'a Hightower, New England (27 in March, $1.93M)

Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh (31 in May, $9.6M)

Malcolm Smith, Oakland (28 in July, $3.5M)

Akeem Dent, Houston (30 in September, $2.25M)

Advertisement

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

OLB:

1/18 Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt, 6-3, 230, 4.74, 1 (underclassman)

2/26 Takkarist McKinley, UCLA, 6-2, 258, 4.58, 1

3/27 Tim Williams, Alabama, 6-3, 252, 4.76, 1

4/31 Haason Reddick, Temple, 6-1, 237, 4.54, 1-2

5/48 T.J. Watt, Wisconsin, 6-4, 243, 4.76, 2 (underclassman)

ILB:

1/7 Reuben Foster, Alabama, 6-1, 236, 4.72, 1

2/41 Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State, 6-2, 240, 4.78, 2 (underclassman)

3/44 Jarrad Davis, Florida, 6-1, 238, 4.78, 2

DEFENSIVE END

Outside of Ziggy Ansah, who battled an ankle injury much of the year, the Lions have no one who consistently gets pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)

Jason Pierre-Paul, N.Y. Giants (28, $10M)

Calais Campbell, Arizona (DT; 31 in September, $11M)

Jabaal Sheard, New England (28 in May, $5.5M)

&Mario Williams, Miami (32, $8.5M)

Charles Johnson, Carolina (31 in July, $3M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., Proj. Rd.)

Advertisement

1/1 Myles Garrett, Texas A&M, 6-4, 268, 1 (underclassman)

2/3 Solomon Thomas, Stanford, 6-2, 275, 1 (underclassman)

3/17 Derek Barnett, Tennessee, 6-3, 265, 1 (underclassman)

4/28 Taco Charlton, Michigan, 6-5, 272, 1

5/32 Charles Harris, Missouri, 6-3, 255, 4.74, 1-2 (underclassman)

RUNNING BACK

The Lions ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing, and their top two running backs (Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick) finished the season on injured reserve.

UFA TARGETS (Age, 2016 salary)

Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh (25, $1.03M)

*Adrian Peterson, Minnesota (32 in March, $14M)

LeGarrette Blount, New England (31 in December, $1M)

Latavius Murray, Oakland (27, $567K)

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay (27 June, $848K)

Darren McFadden, Dallas (30 in August, $1.5M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/5 Dalvin Cook, Florida State, 5-11, 206, 4.43, 1 (underclassman)

2/9 Leonard Fournette, LSU, 6-1, 230, 4.45, 1 (underclassman)

3/24 Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, 6-0, 202, 4.48, 1 (underclassman)

4/60 Alvin Kamara, Tennessee, 5-10, 215, 4.62, 2 (underclassman)

Advertisement

5/86 Joe Mixon, Oklahoma, 6-1, 226, 4.50, 3 (underclassman)

UFA KEEPERS

WR Anquan Boldin (37 in October, $2.75M)

T Riley Reiff (29 in December, $2M)

G Larry Warford (26 in June, $769K)

ROSTER REVIEW

DEPTH CHART

Starters and backups are listed according to their status at the end of the season, but players who were starters before being injured are included.

* Indicates player who ended 2016 season on reserve.

& Indicates player released since the Super Bowl.

QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Matthew Stafford. Backups -- Dan Orlovsky (UFA), Jake Rudock.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter -- *Ameer Abdullah. Backups -- *Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner, Joique Bell (UFA), FB Michael Burton.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Eric Ebron. Backups -- Matthew Mulligan (UFA), Clay Harbor (UFA), *Tim Wright (UFA), *Cole Wick.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, Anquan Boldin (UFA). Backups -- Andre Roberts (UFA), T.J. Jones, Jace Billingsley, Ryan Spadola.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT Taylor Decker, LG Graham Glasgow, C Travis Swanson, RG Larry Warford (UFA), RT Riley Reiff (UFA). Backups -- *T Corey Robinson, T Cornelius Lucas, G Laken Tomlinson, G/T Joe Dahl, G Garrett Reynolds (UFA).

Advertisement

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- RDE Ziggy Ansah, DT Haloti Ngata, DT A'Shawn Robinson, LDE Devin Taylor (UFA). Backups -- DE Kerry Hyder, DE Anthony Zettel, DE Brandon Copeland, DE *Armonty Bryant (UFA), DT Tyrunn Walker (UFA), DT Khyri Thornton, DT *Stefan Charles (UFA).

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- WLB DeAndre Levy, MLB Tahir Whitehead, LB Josh Bynes (UFA). Backups -- Antwione Williams, Thurston Armbrister, *Jon Bostic (UFA).

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- CB Darius Slay, CB Nevin Lawson, FS Glover Quin, SS Tavon Wilson. Backups -- *CB Quandre Diggs, CB Johnson Bademosi, *CB Asa Jackson, CB Crezdon Butler (UFA), CB Adairius Barnes, CB Alex Carter, *CB Ian Wells, S Miles Killebrew, S Rafael Bush (UFA), S Don Carey.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Matt Prater, P Sam Martin, KOR/PR Andre Roberts (UFA), LS Don Muhlbach (UFA), *LS Jimmy Landes.

=================

GREEN BAY PACKERS

=================

Green Bay Packers breakdown: FA, draft shopping list

As they wade through free agency and prepare to evaluate draft prospects at the Indianapolis Combine (March 1-6), the Green Bay Packers must decide which players to keep as they seek to improve upon their 10-6 record from last season.

Advertisement

The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com evaluated the Packers' roster and created a shopping list to use in free agency and to reference during the Combine.

Injuries decimated the secondary in 2016, resulting in a pass defense that was ranked next to last in the league. Cornerback Sam Shields was released in early February after being sidelined by a concussion last season. The pass rush also needs help, especially if Nick Perry can't be re-signed.

On offense, the running game needs attention.

THE BREAKDOWN

2016 finish: 1st in NFC North (10-6)

STATISTICS

TOTAL OFFENSE: 368.8 (8th)

RUSHING: 106.3 (20th)

PASSING: 262.4 (7th)

TOTAL DEFENSE: 363.9 (22nd)

RUSHING: 94.7 (8th)

PASSING: 269.3 (31st)

NEEDS, SHOPPING LIST

*Indicates option not expected to be exercised or expected to be released

TOP 3 NEEDS

RUNNING BACK

The Packers never had a threat at halfback after losing Eddie Lacy to an early-season injury, and he is set to become a free agent.

UFA TARGETS (Age, 2016 salary)

Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh (25, $1.03M)

*Adrian Peterson, Minnesota (32 in March, $14M)

LeGarrette Blount, New England (31 in December, $1M)

Latavius Murray, Oakland (27, $567K)

Darren McFadden, Dallas (30 in August, $1.5M)

Advertisement

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/5 Dalvin Cook, Florida State, 5-11, 206, 4.43, 1 (underclassman)

2/9 Leonard Fournette, LSU, 6-1, 230, 4.45, 1 (underclassman)

3/24 Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, 6-0, 202, 4.48, 1 (underclassman)

4/60 Alvin Kamara, Tennessee, 5-10, 215, 4.62, 2 (underclassman)

5/86 Joe Mixon, Oklahoma, 6-1, 226, 4.50, 3 (underclassman)

CORNERBACK

Green Bay's pass defense was atrocious, right down to the blowout loss at Atlanta in the NFC Championship Game. The back end needs help.

POTENTIAL UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)

A.J. Bouye, Houston (26 in August, $1.67M)

Trumaine Johnson, L.A. Rams (27, $13.95M)

Logan Ryan, New England (26, $693K)

Stephon Gilmore, Buffalo (27 in September, $3.02M)

Brandon Carr, Dallas (31 in May, $10M)

Prince Amukamara, Jacksonville (28 in June, $5.5M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/10 Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State, 6-0, 195, 4.47, 1 (underclassman)

2/15 Teez Tabor, Florida, 6-0, 201, 4.50, 1 (underclassman)

3/21 Marlon Humphrey, Alabama, 6-1, 196, 4.49, 1 (underclassman)

4/23 Sidney Jones, Washington, 6-0, 181, 4.49, 1 (underclassman)

5/34 Desmond King, Iowa, 5-11, 206, 4.53, 1-2

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

This imperative position for the team's pass rush could be overhauled, what with Julius Peppers, Nick Perry and Datone Jones bound for free agency.

Advertisement

UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)

Chandler Jones, Arizona (27, $2.04M)

Melvin Ingram, L.A. Chargers (28 in April, $2.1M)

DeMarcus Ware, Denver (35 in July, $10M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/18 Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt, 6-3, 230, 4.74, 1 (underclassman)

2/26 Takkarist McKinley, UCLA, 6-2, 258, 4.58, 1

3/27 Tim Williams, Alabama, 6-3, 252, 4.76, 1

4/31 Haason Reddick, Temple, 6-1, 237, 4.54, 1-2

5/48 T.J. Watt, Wisconsin, 6-4, 243, 4.76, 2 (underclassman)

UFA KEEPERS

LB Nick Perry (27 in April, $5.05M)

TE Jared Cook (30 in April, $2.75M)

G T.J. Lang (injury; 30 in September, $5.2M)

C JC Tretter (26, $644K)

ROSTER REVIEW

MAJOR COACHING CHANGE

--Associate head coach/offense Tom Clements won't return.

DEPTH CHART

Starters and backups are listed according to their status at the end of the season, but players who were starters before being injured are included.

* Indicates player who ended 2016 season on reserve.

& Indicates player released since the Super Bowl.

QUARTERBACK: Starter -- Aaron Rodgers. Backups -- Brett Hundley, Joe Callahan.

Advertisement

RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- *Eddie Lacy (UFA), FB Aaron Ripkowski. Backups -- Ty Montgomery, Christine Michael (UFA), &James Starks, *John Crockett, *Don Jackson, FB Joe Kerridge.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Jared Cook (UFA). Backup -- Richard Rodgers.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb. Backups -- Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison, Jeff Janis, Trevor Davis, Max McCaffrey.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LT David Bakhtiari, LG Lane Taylor, C Corey Linsley, RG T.J. Lang (UFA), RT Bryan Bulaga. Backups -- T Jason Spriggs, *C/G JC Tretter (UFA), T/G Don Barclay (UFA), T Kyle Murphy.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- DLE Mike Daniels, NT Letroy Guion, DRE Kenny Clark. Backups -- DE Dean Lowry, DT Christian Ringo.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- LOLB Nick Perry (UFA), ILB Jake Ryan, ILB Blake Martinez, ROLB Clay Matthews. Backups -- OLB Julius Peppers (UFA), ILB Joe Thomas, OLB Datone Jones (UFA), OLB Jayrone Elliott, OLB Kyler Fackrell, ILB Jordan Tripp.

Advertisement

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Damarious Randall, *&RCB Sam Shields, SS Morgan Burnett, FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Backups -- CB LaDarius Gunter, CB Quinten Rollins, DB Micah Hyde (UFA), S Kentrell Brice, S Marwin Evans, CB Josh Hawkins, CB Herb Waters, *CB Demetri Goodson, *CB Makinton Dorleant.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Mason Crosby, P Jake Schum, KR Ty Montgomery, PR Micah Hyde, LS Brett Goode (UFA).

=================

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

=================

Minnesota Vikings breakdown: FA, draft shopping list

As they wade through free agency and prepare to evaluate draft prospects at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine (March 1-6), the Minnesota Vikings must decide which players to keep as they seek to improve upon their 8-8 record from last season.

The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com evaluated the Vikings' roster and created a shopping list to use in free agency and to reference during the Combine.

One way or another, the hammer will drop soon on running back Adrian Peterson. On the roster, he would count $18 million against the salary cap, so a reduction is necessary for him to stay with the Vikings or for that matter to sign with another team if he is released.

Advertisement

Either way, the Vikings might not be able to count on Peterson staying healthy, and they surely need to upgrade an offensive line shattered by injuries at tackle in 2016.

THE BREAKDOWN

2016 finish: 3rd in NFC North (8-8)

STATISTICS

TOTAL OFFENSE: 315.1 (28th)

RUSHING: 75.3 (32nd)

PASSING: 239.8 (18th)

TOTAL DEFENSE: 314.9 (3rd)

RUSHING: 106.9 (20th)

PASSING: 207.9 (3rd)

NEEDS, SHOPPING LIST

*Indicates option not expected to be exercised or expected to be released

TOP THREE NEEDS

OFFENSIVE TACKLE

The Vikings used five players at left tackle and three at right tackle in 2016. They need talent, durability and depth at this key spot.

UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)

Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati (36 in December, $9M)

*Russell Okung, Denver (29 in October, $10.6M)

Rick Wagner, Baltimore (28 in October, $576K)

Luke Joeckel, Jacksonville (G; 26 in November, $5.3M))

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/14 Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin, 6-5, 314, 5.29, 1 (underclassman)

2/25 Cam Robinson, Alabama, 6-6, 310, 5.28, 1 (underclassman)

3/38 Garett Bolles, Utah, 6-5, 296, 4.97, 1-2 (underclassman)

Advertisement

4/53 Taylor Moton, Western Michigan, 6-5, 330, 5.31, 2

5/59 Roderick Johnson, Florida State, 6-6, 308, 5.34, 2 (underclassman)

GUARD

Left guard Alex Boone wasn't great, but he provides something to build around. Right guard Brandon Fusco had another bad year and two concussions, then was released after the Super Bowl.

UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)

Kevin Zeitler, Cincinnati (G; 27 in March, $1.89M)

T.J. Lang, Green Bay (G/injury; 30 in September, $5.2M)

Ronald Leary, Dallas (G; 28 in April, $2.55M)

Chris Chester, Atlanta (G; 34, $2.35M)

Chance Warmack, Tennessee (G; 26 in September, $3.04M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/33 Dan Feeney, Indiana, 6-4, 304, 5.09, 1-2

2/35 Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky, 6-4, 305, 5.12, 1-2

3/46 Dorian Johnson, Pittsburgh, 6-5, 300, 5.20, 2

4/49 Dion Dawkins, Temple, 6-4, 317, 5.27, 2

5/85 Nico Siragusa, San Diego State, 6-4, 326, 5.37, 3

RUNNING BACK

Even in the unlikely event Adrian Peterson returns for less money, the Vikings still need a big, young, versatile back of the future.

UFA TARGETS (Age, previous contract's average annual salary)

Advertisement

Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh (25, $1.03M)

LeGarrette Blount, New England (31 in December, $1M)

Latavius Murray, Oakland (27, $567K)

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay (27 June, $848K)

Darren McFadden, Dallas (30 in August, $1.5M)

DRAFT TARGETS (Rating pos/overall, Player, School, Ht., Wt., 40 time, Proj. Rd.)

1/5 Dalvin Cook, Florida State, 5-11, 206, 4.43, 1 (underclassman)

2/9 Leonard Fournette, LSU, 6-1, 230, 4.45, 1 (underclassman)

3/24 Christian McCaffrey, Stanford, 6-0, 202, 4.48, 1 (underclassman)

4/60 Alvin Kamara, Tennessee, 5-10, 215, 4.62, 2 (underclassman)

5/86 Joe Mixon, Oklahoma, 6-1, 226, 4.50, 3 (underclassman)

UFA KEEPERS

T Matt Kalil (injury; 28 in July, $4.94M)

WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson (26 in March, $1.8M)

CB Captain Munnerlyn (29 in April, $3.75M)

ROSTER REVIEW

DEPTH CHART

Starters and backups are listed according to their status at the end of the season, but players who were starters before being injured are included.

* Indicates player who ended 2016 season on reserve.

& Indicates player released since the Super Bowl.

QUARTERBACKS: Starter -- Sam Bradford. Backups -- *Teddy Bridgewater, Taylor Heinicke, Shaun Hill (UFA).

RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- Adrian Peterson, FB Zach Line (UFA). Backups -- Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata (UFA), C.J. Ham.

Advertisement

TIGHT ENDS: Starter -- Kyle Rudolph. Backups -- Rhett Ellison (UFA), David Morgan.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters -- Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen. Backups -- Charles Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson (UFA), Laquon Treadwell, Jarius Wright.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- *LT Matt Kalil (UFA), LG Alex Boone, C Joe Berger, &RG Brandon Fusco, *RT Andre Smith. Backups -- T T.J. Clemmings, RT Jeremiah Sirles, C Nick Easton, G Zac Kerin, G Willie Beavers, T Rashod Hill, &*OL Mike Harris, *LT Jake Long (UFA).

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters -- LE Brian Robison, NT Linval Joseph, *DT Sharrif Floyd, RE Everson Griffen. Backups -- E Danielle Hunter, DT Shamar Stephen, DE Justin Trattou (UFA), DE Stephen Weatherly, *DE B.J. Dubose, *DT Scott Crichton, *DT Tom Johnson.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SLB Anthony Barr, MLB Eric Kendricks, WLB Chad Greenway (UFA/retired). Backups -- LB Audie Cole (UFA), MLB Kentrell Brothers, WLB Emmanuel Lamur, SLB Edmond Robinson.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- CB Xavier Rhodes, CB Terence Newman (UFA), FS Harrison Smith, *SS Andrew Sendejo. Backups -- CB Captain Munnerlyn (UFA), CB Trae Waynes, CB Marcus Sherels, *CB Mackensie Alexander, *CB Jabari Price, S Anthony Harris, S Jayron Kearse, *S Antone Exum Jr.

Advertisement

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Kai Forbath, P Jeff Locke (UFA), KOR Cordarrelle Patterson (UFA), PR Marcus Sherels, LS Kevin McDermott.

Latest Headlines