Every team’s dream is to produce a better squad at the start of every season, and the NFL space is no different. The experts at Pro Football Focus released a ranking of every NFL team for the 2021 season, and the Minnesota Vikings have been listed at position 9. Ben Linsey from PFF used their internal grading system to place the Vikings at position 9 in the upcoming season even though the team finished 7-9 last season.
The ranking makes sense, even though some people may consider it high. The Vikings have a lot of talent returning from injury, and also some joining the team through free agency. The Vikings draft is also something to look up to warrant this rating.
The Buccaneers are ranked No. 1 on this list, the Chiefs second, Browns 3rd, Bills 4th, while the Ravens come in position 5. Packers, Rams, and Cowboys come in positions 6, 7, and 8 on the same roaster. It is also worth noting the Vikings are ranked higher than 4 of the playoff teams in the NFC last year; Washington Football Team, the Saints, Bear, and Seahawks.
Breaking down PFF’s 2021 NFL roster rankings 🔥 https://t.co/BkoBvx44DE
— PFF (@PFF) July 8, 2021
The ratings also identified some of the strengths and weaknesses the Vikings’ roster has. Justin Jefferson’s performance last season was exemplary as the fifth wide receiver. The 2.66 receiving yards per route run he attained made him finish 3rd in the league, just behind George Kittle (2.84) and Davante Adams (2.96). The combination of Justin, Dalvin Cook, and Adam Thielen can be one of the biggest offensive lineups in the league this season.
Even though there was an outrage on Viking’s Twitter page when Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen’s duo was not listed as one of the best on the NFL Network, it is no doubt that they are among the best for the coming season.
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And it ain’t 2 https://t.co/7z3qGJlQcx
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 27, 2021
The trio will be providing opposing defenses with major matchup problems. The offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will have an easy time scheming up a ton of plays that are explosive with their help.
The Vikings ‘X factor’ is also something that the ranking had to look into. Tons of position groups and players can make it to Vikings’ “X factor” in the 2021 season. Xavier Rhodes, a former Vikings cornerback, was the X factor last season as he transitioned to a scheme that best suited his talents. All eyes will be on Patrick Peterson in 2021, even though last season didn’t provide him the chances he had hoped for. The Viking’s secondary is likely to provide Patrick Peterson with a bouncing back position to a more defensive scheme. Some of the other probable x factors are Anthony Barr, Cameron Dantzler and Xavier Woods.
Vikings Roster Weaknesses
It is no doubt that every Vikings fan will want the team to be a Super Bowl contender. NFL and football as a whole is one of the most followed and a favorite sport for gamblers if betonline review is anything to go by. Based on last seasons’ performance, the Vikings have to address the following areas if they want to be legitimate contenders for the championship in the 2021 season.
- The offensive line. The Vikings didn’t act aggressively to fix the offensive early in the offseason. Fans are also worried about uninspiring moves, such as trading for Mason Cole and re-signing Dakota Dozier and Rashod Hill. But the draft instilled some hopes for this team with Wyatt Davis at No. 86 and Christian Darrisaw at No. 23 overall. Having the two guys as starters in Week 1 with Davis at right guard and Darrisaw as the left tackle can change the offensive line for the better.
- Special teams. Nothing seemed to go right for the Viking special teams in 2020, from coverage positions, field goals, returns, field position to punts. The Vikings’ defense was indeed terrible late in the season. However, the special teams cost them several wins and thus failed to qualify for the playoffs. With new kicker Greg Joseph and coordinator Ryan Ficken taking over from Dan Bailey and Marwan Maalouf, respectively, we can only expect that there will be loads of improvement.
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