Minnesota Vikings season preview

Last years record: 6-10 (3rd in division)

Coach: Brad Childress

Key Addition: The Vikings didn't have many key additions this off-season. Mike Doss should be a backup safety and could make an impact on special teams.

Key Loss: Jermaine Wiggins, a very reliable tight end as he always caught 60 passes and was a good leader in the locker room. Now they will start Jimmy Kleinsasser to replace him and that is a big drop off.

Draft: The Vikings have tons of potential in this draft and if they are the top of the division in a couple years they will look back at this class. Adrian Peterson out of Oklahoma has the ability to be a great all around back and should split carries this year with Chester Taylor. Sidney Rice out of South Carolina has loads of athleticism and with the Vikings weak receivers he could start this year. Fresno State corner Marcus McCauley could start in a few years and was considered a first round talent before his disappointing senior campaign. Defensive end Brian Robison from Texas is a good athlete and should make an impact on special teams this year. My sleeper of the draft class though is East Carolina receiver Aundrae Allison. He was a first day talent slipped to the 5th round. He is very fast and is good after the catch and reminds me of Chad Johnson.

Offense: If Tarvaris Jackson develops this year into a solid quarterback the Vikings could have a good offense. Jackson showed potential and is an all around athlete but if he performs like he did in a prime time game against the Packers where he only had 40 yards they are in trouble. The running game could be one of the best in the league as Chester Taylor had over 1200 yards last year along with 6 touchdowns. He shouldn't get as much work this year though as Adrian Peterson could end up being the starter by the end of the year. Steve Hutchinson leads an impressive offensive line,however if the passing game doesn't improve teams will go 8 in the box against them. The receivers are very young and need work. Troy Williamson was a top 10 pick a few years ago and had a hard time catching deep balls losing them in the lights. He went to Nike for vision help but if that doesn't work out he could be out of the league after this year. That would open the door for Sidney Rice to get reps who at 6'3" also a great red zone target.

Defense: This unit is very underrated as they were the best team in the league at stopping the run. The defensive tackle tandem of Kevin and Pat Williams gave offenses nightmares as they clogged up the run and Kevin also had 5 sacks. Linebacker E.J. Henderson had a career year last season getting over 100 tackles and he should build on that performance this year. The Corners are solid as Antoine Winfield is a shutdown corner while Cedric Griffin is improving and could be a solid starter in a year or two. The highlight though is Darren Sharper who had 4 interceptions last year and is one of the best safeties in the game.

Fantasy Studs: Chester Taylor RB: Taylor could have a good year if he doesn't have to give carries to Peterson at the beginning of the season. When getting the majority of carries he should be a low no.2 back but when sharing he is a no.3.

Adrian Peterson RB: Peterson might not have a huge impact right away but when he gets the majority of the carries he is worth starting as a no.2 back. For now he is a no.3 and he could help you big time in the playoffs.

Prediciton: The Vikings are lucky that this division is so bad that even if they get 7 wins they could place second. Nobody would be suprised if this happens but unless Jackson improves as a quarterback I don't think it will . My prediction is 5-11 and last place in the division.