Vikings' Roster Ranked Smack Dab in the Middle of the League

Mediocrity is the national expectation for the 2023 Minnesota Vikings.

Their Vegas win total is 8.5, which means they're projected to be right around .500 in a 17-game season. And recently, their roster was ranked 16th by ESPN. Again, right smack dab in the middle of the pack (but still first in the NFC North, one spot ahead of the Lions).

Here's how ESPN's Seth Walder and Mike Clay broke down Minnesota's roster.

Strongest unit: Offensive tackle. Minnesota has spent a ton of draft capital on the O-line in recent years, and it's starting to pay off. LT Christian Darrisaw enjoyed a breakout 2022 season, and only Trent Williams had the highest PFF grade among tackles. RT Brian O'Neill checked in ninth over at PFF, and his 94.7% pass block win rate was third among tackles last season. — Clay

Hard to disagree with that. You could make a case for wide receiver because of Justin Jefferson's presence, or edge rusher if Danielle Hunter ends up being extended. But Darrisaw and O'Neill are so good that I think offensive tackle is the right pick.

Weakest unit: Cornerback. Patrick Peterson, Chandon Sullivan, Cameron Dantzler and Duke Shelley were Minnesota's top four corners in 2022 snaps, and none are on the 2023 roster. Byron Murphy Jr. was a quality replacement for Peterson atop the depth chart, but the rest of the room is unproven, with a combined 297 NFL snaps. Recent Day 2 and 3 draft picks Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr. and Mekhi Blackmon are ticketed for massive roles this season. — Clay

Again, hard to disagree. This is a young, overhauled, unproven cornerback room (Murphy aside). There's upside there, but the floor is also very low. You could also maybe make a case for linebacker or guard if you wanted.

X factor for 2023: CBs Akayleb Evans and Andrew Booth Jr.. I'm echoing Mike here, but that pair of young, unproven corners are the clear leverage point for this team. If they struggle, the defense will too. If they succeed, the Vikings will suddenly be a team with solid pass-rush and coverage abilities. — Walder

I have no issue with picking two young corners as the Vikings' X-factor, but I will say that I think there's a real chance rookie Mekhi Blackmon starts over Booth. Based on usage during OTAs and minicamp, he's ahead of Booth heading into training camp. There's still quite some time for the competition to play out, though. Whichever two of Evans, Blackmon, and Booth wind up starting alongside Murphy will absolutely be major X-factors this year.

Non-starter to know: RB DeWayne McBride. The rookie seventh-round pick led the FBS in rushing yards per game and was fifth in rushing yards after contact last season. While Alexander Mattison is the new starter, he a recorded negative-42 rush yards over expectation last season according to NFL Next Gen Stats, so don't be stunned if McBride gets a look. — Walder

I love the McBride hype. He has a chance to be a steal as a seventh-round pick if he can fix his fumbling issue and grow as a receiver out of the backfield. That's how impressive his vision, agility, and contact balance are as a runner. But for now, he's still fourth on the RB depth chart behind Mattison, Ty Chandler, and Kene Nwangwu, in part due to a hamstring injury that limited him this offseason. I can't wait to watch McBride in the preseason.

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