NFL Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings’ 5 Biggest Draft Needs Heading Into 2015 NFL Combine

Minnesota Vikings' 5 Biggest Draft Needs Heading Into NFL Combine

Rick Spielman
Brace Hemmelgarn USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings overcame a lot of adversity, on and off the field, to finish 7-9 in 2014.

Next season holds a lot of promise for the Vikings in Mike Zimmer's second season as head coach. Here are the team's top five draft needs with the NFL Combine on the horizon.

5. Offensive Line

Minnesota Vikings, Matt Kalil
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

5. Offensive Line

Minnesota Vikings, Matt Kalil
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Charlie Johnson will surely be replaced as the Vikings' starting left guard, one way or the other. But overall, better depth is needed for Minnesota along the offensive line.

4. Cornerback

Josh Robinson, Minnesota Vikings
David Banks-Getty Images

4. Cornerback

Josh Robinson, Minnesota Vikings
David Banks-Getty Images

An upgrade opposite Xavier Rhodes is needed to compete with the top-level wide receiver talent in the NFC North, and underachiever Josh Robinson has become a target for opposing offenses. Expect the Vikings to use a fairly early pick here.

3. Safety

Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

3. Safety

Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Harrison Smith is a keeper at one safety spot, but lackluster play opposite him has been a big Achilles' heel for the Vikings' defense.

2. Wide Receiver

DaVante Parker, NFL Draft
Jim Rogash-Getty Images

2. Wide Receiver

DaVante Parker, NFL Draft
Jim Rogash-Getty Images

A lot of early mock drafts have the Vikings using their first-round pick (No. 11 overall) on a wide receiver, with West Virginia's Kevin White and Louisville's DeVante Parker as potential options. Securing a go-to guy for Teddy Bridgewater is a draft priority.

1. Linebacker

Anthony Barr, Minnesota Vikings
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

1. Linebacker

Anthony Barr, Minnesota Vikings
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Barr is a building block, and a potential future star, but outside of that the Vikings have a lot of questions at linebacker. If Chad Greenway is unwilling to take a pay cut and gets released, this becomes an even bigger need.

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