Ranking the Minnesota Vikings' Top Five Positions of Need Heading into April

With the calendar about to flip to April, all eyes in the NFL world are on the 2023 draft, which is now less than a month away. There are also still plenty of free agents out there who could help a team, so not every need or roster hole needs to be addressed via the draft.

The Vikings had a busy March. They moved on from several popular veterans, brought in a few notable free agents from outside the building, and re-signed some key depth pieces. Their offseason is far from finished, though. As another important month begins, here's a look at Minnesota's top five current positional needs.

Note: These are needs for the 2023 season, so you won't find quarterback on here, even though that's a uniquely important long-term need.

1. Cornerback

The Vikings' marquee free agent addition was versatile 25-year-old cornerback Byron Murphy, who will be the team's top player at the position in 2023. His ability to play both outside and in the slot will make him a great weapon for new coordinator Brian Flores. Still, the Vikings have a lot more work to do to fill out this room after losing Patrick Peterson and Duke Shelley in free agency and releasing Cameron Dantzler. Kevin O'Connell knows that:

We know we need to add, either through the draft or potentially some other veterans, we need to add some more numbers in that room.

Beyond Murphy, the other projected starters right now would be second-year players Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans, who both dealt with major injuries in their rookie seasons. That duo has upside, but health is a serious concern. The Vikings presumably need to bring in at least two more potential starting-caliber corners so they can have a proper competition in training camp. There's a reason why it's the most common position that they address in first round mock drafts.

2. Wide receiver

With Adam Thielen being released and landing in Carolina, the Vikings have a big hole at their No. 2 wide receiver spot. K.J. Osborn could step into that role in a contract season, but he seems best suited to be a strong No. 3. After that, the two Jalens (Nailor and Reagor) are in the mix at WR4. I fully expect the Vikings to add a wideout or two before the offseason ends, and it could happen as early as the first round in the draft. Some traits they're likely looking for are the ability to stretch the field vertically and beat single coverage. Osborn and tight end T.J. Hockenson should be able to fill a lot of the void left by Thielen as possession receivers over the middle of the field. It's a good situation for a receiver to come into, as Justin Jefferson and Hockenson command a ton of defensive attention.

3. Defensive tackle

The most impactful loss of the Vikings' offseason was Dalvin Tomlinson signing a huge contract with the Browns. He doesn't get a ton of recognition, but Tomlinson was a massive, underrated part of Minnesota's defenses over the past two seasons as a run stopper and block eater in the middle of the front. With him gone, the Vikings will turn to a combination of new addition Dean Lowry, Khyiris Tonga, Jonathan Bullard, and a couple others alongside Harrison Phillips. They could really use a defensive tackle with some pass rushing ability to complement that group and play a lot of snaps. Flores' defenses in Miami were centered around a dynamic pass-rushing DT in Christian Wilkins.

4. Linebacker

Eric Kendricks is gone, so exciting second-year linebacker Brian Asamoah will step into the starting lineup alongside Jordan Hicks. The Vikings also added veteran Troy Reeder as depth. Still, it's hard to call that group a strength right now. Hicks was up and down in his first year with the Vikings, Asamoah is largely unproven, and Reeder was primarily a special teams player last season with the Chargers. Troy Dye and William Kwenkeu are the only other 'backers on the roster right now. Adding another LB for depth makes a lot of sense. It's also a notable long-term need, as Hicks turns 31 in June and is entering the last year of his contract.

5. Guard

Ezra Cleveland and Ed Ingram return as starters at the guard position, but the Vikings would like to have a backup plan there. Ingram led all NFL players in pressures allowed as a rookie and there's no guarantee he takes a big leap in year two. Austin Schlottmann and Chris Reed aren't particularly inspiring depth options. They're hoping for a big year from Cleveland, who has been somewhat inconsistent and is entering a contract year.

Two more to watch

Depending on what happens with Za'Darius Smith and Dalvin Cook's situations, edge rusher and running back could earn their way onto this list.

More or less all set for 2023

Quarterback, tight end, offensive tackle, center, safety, kicker, punter, returners

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