2015 NFL Power Rankings #19: Minnesota Vikings

This team has a promising young quarterback and they just got their best weapon back. Things are looking up.

By Chuck Mills Aug 28, 2015, 6:00pm EDT

Disclaimer: I am not a professional or a psychic. Your guess is as good as mine, unless it's something really crazy.

2014 Record: 7-9

Cuts: Charlie Johnson, Greg Jennings, Cullen Loeffler

Losses: Jerome Felton

Signings: Shaun Hill, Terrence Newman, Kevin McDermott

Draft Class: Trae Waynes, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter, T.J. Clemmings, MyCole Pruitt, Stefon Diggs, Tyrus Thompson, B.J. Dubose, Austin Shepherd, Edmond Robinson

Trades: Matt Cassel and a sixth round pick to the Bills for a fifth round pick and a 2016 seventh round pick, a fifth round pick to the Dolphins for Mike Wallace and a seventh round pick.

Questions:

Can the offensive line bounce back from a poor 2014 season?

How effective will Adrian Peterson be as a 30 year old runningback who missed a year of football?

Can Cordarrelle Patterson finally step up?

Defense:

The Vikings have plenty of talented defenders for Mike Zimmer to work with in year two. They have a deep defensive line with Sharrif Floyd, Brian Robison, Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, and rookie Danielle Hunter , they have a good linebacker corps with Anthony Barr, Chad Greenway, and Eric Kendricks, they have an experienced secondary with new addition Terence Newman, Xavier Rhodes, who is becoming one of the better corners in the NFL and Captain Munnerlyn in the slot and the Vikings have one of the NFL's best safeties in Harrison Smith. The Vikings should have a quality defense in 2015.

Offense:

The Vikings have some things that they need to figure out on the offensive line. They need to see if Matt Kalil can get back to his 2012 form and they need to find a new right tackle as Phil Loadholt tore his ACL in the very first preseason game. But the Vikings also have plenty of talent on offense. They have the best quarterback from the 2014 squad in Teddy Bridgewater, they have a generational talent at runningback in Adrian Peterson and a decent back-up in Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata, who scored nine touchdowns in 2014. The Vikings have some weapons for Bridgewater to throw to, as they traded for speed demon Mike Wallace in the off-season, who will lead the Vikings wide receiver corps of Jarius Wright, Charles Johnson, who replaced Cordarrelle Patterson by the season's end, and talented rookie Stefon Diggs. If Cordarrelle Patterson can live up to his full potential, the Vikings offense will be lethal. The Vikings also have a good tight end in Kyle Rudolph, if he can stay healthy.

Best Case Scenario:

A more experienced Bridgewater teams up with Adrian Peterson to take the Vikings to at least .500 and maybe even sneak into the playoffs.

Worst Case Scenario:

Bridgewater struggles in his second season, Adrian Peterson falls off a cliff, and the Vikings are out of contention by October.

Predictions:

Teddy Bridgewater throws for 3,500 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions

Adrian Peterson runs for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns and wins the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.

Stefon Diggs finishes the season with more receptions, yards, and touchdowns than Cordarrelle Patterson

Harrison Smith has five interceptions.

Wins:

San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants

Losses: