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2015 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings’ 5 Biggest Needs After Free Agency

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2015 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings' 5 Biggest Needs After Free Agency

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The Vikings took a big step forward last season with the drafting and development of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. With free agency come and gone, here's a take on the five biggest needs the Vikings need to address.

5. Wide Receiver

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5. Wide Receiver

cordarrelle patterson minnesota vikings
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Norv Turner may be a supremely talented offensive mind, but Cordarrelle Patterson has been a disappointment. Who knows what to expect from Mike Wallace? Between those two and Charles Johnson, the Vikings do have some potential to tap into, but another good receiving prospect couldn’t hurt. That would be especially true if the rumors are true about the team trying to move Patterson.

4. Middle Linebacker

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4. Middle Linebacker

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The Vikings are well set at outside linebacker with Anthony Barr and Chad Greenway, and with the addition of a middle linebacker, the center of the Vikings' defense would be set. Bernardrick McKinney has been slipping in draft rankings recently and would be a tremendous addition in the second round -- I think he’s a guy Mike Zimmer could use in a number of ways.

3. Runningback

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3. Runningback

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This situation with Adrian Peterson isn’t good, and I don’t expect it to get any better. Peterson wants out but really has no power to get himself onto another team. Is a disgruntled Peterson on the field better than having another motivated, albeit less talented, starter? In either event, the Vikings really need a rusher who can either be the new starter or be a capable backup. Even if AP stays, his decline is coming sooner rather than later.

2. Offensive Line

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2. Offensive Line

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Left tackle Matt Kalil has regressed badly since his rookie year, and there’s a significant lack of depth behind projected left guard starter Joe Berger. Last year’s fifth round pick David Yankey could slide into Berger’s role, but he didn’t see the field at all last year and needs to get himself stronger. Whether a starting option is brought in or depth is built behind Berger or Yankey, some moves need to be made here.

1. Cornerback

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1. Cornerback

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Xavier Rhodes is all well and good on one side of the field, but the other starting corner position needs an upgrade badly. Terence Newman’s best days are long gone and Captain Munnerlyn has been a letdown since coming over from Carolina. The Vikings' defense is really only a few tweaks away from being a top unit in the league, and upgrading this position would be the biggest impact they could make.

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