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As the NFL draft approaches, the Access Vikings team is taking a position-by-position look at what will be available, offering insight and analysis on top prospects both through print and via daily “Access Vikings: The Show” videos. In addition, here on the blog, we’ll give you a brief review of how the Vikings are set up at each position heading into the draft.

Current starters: Adrian Peterson, Jerome Felton

Reserves under contract: Toby Gerhart, Matt Asiata, Joe Banyard

Biggest offseason move: The re-signing of Felton was a big deal, even if it didn’t receive much attention or hype outside the Twin Cities. The 26-year-old fullback was superb as a lead blocker in 2012, aiding Adrian Peterson’s MVP season.

Level of draft need: Low. The depth chart seems set and solid for 2013. But Toby Gerhart is also entering the final year of his rookie contract. And if he seeks to hit free agency in 2014 to find greater opportunity elsewhere, the Vikings’ may want to start shopping for potential back-ups for Adrian Peterson.
You should know: Peterson’s vow to follow his extraordinary 2,097-yard eruption in 2012 with a 2,500-yard explosion in 2013 is downright ridiculous. And maybe it’s most preposterous because his teammates and coaches don’t question it.

Here’s what Felton said in January: “I really don’t feel like it’s out of reach. You look at it. It’s what, around 155 yards per game? With him, that’s doable.”

Current starters: Matt Kalil, Phil Loadholt, John Sullivan, Charlie Johnson, Brandon Fusco

Reserves under contract: Joe Berger, Troy Kropog, Tyler Holmes, Kevin Murphy, DeMarcus Love, Seth Olsen

Biggest offseason move: The Vikings were determined to not let Loadholt get away via free agency. And while the 27-year-old right tackle also desired to stay put, the negotiation stage of the game required the Vikings’ front office to dig deep for a four-year extension worth up to $25 million. That was signed, sealed and delivered shortly before Loadholt would have hit the open market.

Level of draft need: Moderate. The Vikings started the same five players up front for all 16 games plus the playoffs last season. And that quintet returns intact with growing confidence and chemistry after a stellar 2012. But more quality depth is needed across the board. Day 3 of the draft could be the place to find some.

You should know: Retaining continuity on the offensive line was a big deal to General Manager Rick Spielman. And it was clear even before last season ended that the organization was going to do everything it could to keep Loadholt around. Succeeding in that mission triggered great relief and celebration at Winter Park.

The Vikings coaching staff challenged Fusco to step up his play, to be more physical, to play with more confidence, to continue working on polishing his technique. By season’s end, the eager 24-year-old guard wrapped his arms around the opportunity and regained full control of the reps there.

You should know: Of all the things the Vikings love about Greg Jennings – his versatility, his experience, his crisp route running – they’ve raved most about his positive energy. A few hours after signing the 29-year-old receiver away from Green Bay, Frazier noted the character and professionalism Jennings will infuse into the locker room.

Added Spielman: “You can see the leadership he brings on the field and the enthusiasm he plays with. It’s easy when you watch guys on tape, [you can see] which guys really love to play the game. And there is no question when you watch the tape on Greg Jennings, you know that he loves to play the game.”

The Vikings also feel encouraged about the hunger Jennings has brought with him. Remember that three-year stretch from 2008-10 when Jennings averaged 75 catches, 1,223 yards and eight TDs per season? The Vikings feel they can tap into that potential and get similar production going forward. Jennings wants to prove he's still that kind of player.

Lastly, on a side note, there has been speculation that Joe Webb may face a conversion back to receiver in 2013. But when asked on multiple occasions last month about a possible position change for Webb, Frazier said his mindset was to take Webb to training camp as a quarterback, asking him to compete for the team’s No. 3 job.

Could that change? Perhaps. Would the Vikings be better off trying to get Webb on the field in some way with his speed and athleticism rather than stashing him down the depth chart at QB? Maybe. But again, Frazier has said directly that he’d prefer not to have Webb change positions.

“I’m not thinking that way, as we speak,” he had said. “I’m seeing Joe as a quarterback. Things may change. But I see him as a quarterback and I see him coming in and competing for a position.”

You should know: The stage is set for Christian Ballard to enter a prove-it stage of his career. Ballard, originally drafted in the fourth round in 2011 out of Iowa, has spent the past two seasons as Kevin Williams’ understudy. And while Williams will likely remain the starter so long as he’s healthy, the Vikings also realize he’s 32 and entering his 11th season. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier has noted that much and says it’s imperative that Ballard take a step forward in 2013, emerging as the type of inside force that will free up top linebacker Chad Greenway to make more plays.

“We need Christian Ballard to really step up and come along,” Frazier said. “He's at that point in his career where he'll have to really show that he can hold that position down. … We count on that position to create double teams for us and [Ballard's] got to show he's capable of making people have to double him and not single-block him. That's what Kevin has been so good at throughout his career, which makes our defense and our run defense so much better. So, we need that from Christian. If he can't do it, then we're going to have to find someone that can.”

On the issue of quality depth, Griffen certainly took advantage of his increased opportunity in 2012 and stepped forward as a key building block. It may now be the time for D’Aundre Reed to take a similar leap forward to realize his potential.

You should know: The coaching staff feels like Henderson is getting closer and closer to realizing his true potential. That’s why they were vocal in expressing the desire to re-sign Henderson as the starting weakside linebacker. That deal got done with the 26-year-old signing on for $4 million over the next two years.

“He has shown flashes that he can be a good player for us,” Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. “The consistency in his game is what we’re looking for. But we’d rather see that develop with us than someone else. He is so close to being a good all-around outside linebacker.”

Henderson’s biggest issue remains discipline. He made strides in 2012 but will readily admit that at times his eyes still get too big and he wanders out of place in an effort to make big plays that weren’t his responsibility.

That’s been a recurring issue throughout the past two seasons and the Vikings are hoping Henderson has heard the instructions – “Be where you’re supposed to be!” – enough to change his habits.

“He’s a guy who likes to make plays,” Frazier said. “Like most players do. But you need to be able to do it within the scheme of what we’re asking you to do. And he has some playmaking ability. But the most important thing to do is to take care of your assignment first and then some of those big plays you really want to make, they’ll come to you if you’re just where you’re supposed to be. That just comes with having confidence and just believing in what you’re doing. And that consistency will come. But just trust in what the coaches are asking you to do and just be consistently where you’re supposed to be.”

dead_poet wrote: Running Backs
Full blog post: http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 53121.html

All that said, the Vikings know it’s in their best interest to diversify their offense, to not be so one-dimensional and predictable. And so with an eye on energizing the passing attack, Peterson’s workload and production will almost certainly dip some. That will be by design with the hope that another reliable playmaker emerges. (That means you, Greg Jennings.)

mansquatch wrote:Balance is a very relative thing IMO. Their moves along the OL would indicate that they still plan to make the AP the primary feature of the offense. I do think we'll see a more balanced offense, but I'm not sure that will come from play selection so much as the assumed increase in efficiency from the passing the passing game.

As it was last year, it really does all come down to Ponder.

headless_norseman wrote:Sorry, but you have to THROW TDs in this league to make it. We know it, we just have to keep pushing it in that area.

mansquatch wrote:Balance is a very relative thing IMO. Their moves along the OL would indicate that they still plan to make the AP the primary feature of the offense. I do think we'll see a more balanced offense, but I'm not sure that will come from play selection so much as the assumed increase in efficiency from the passing the passing game.

As it was last year, it really does all come down to Ponder.

Raptorman wrote: I am not sure how much more balanced they could be on offense.

Total offensive plays: 969
Total running plays: 486
Total passing plays: 483

Eli wrote: - Run
- Run
- Pass
- Punt

- Run
- Pass
- Pass
- Punt

Yeah, it pretty much balances itself out.

saint33 wrote:who pissed in your cornflakes this morning?

Eli wrote: You have the sense of humor of a cigarette butt.

saint33 wrote:I take offense that, athankyouverymuch