The Vikings have made numerous additions to the roster through the 2016 Free Agency period and last week's NFL Draft. Even though Week 1 of the regular season is still more than four months away, the experts have already begun their power ranking lists.
We'll take a look at the NFL power rankings lists to see where the experts rank the Vikings following the 2016 NFL Draft.
Vikings No. 11— Pete Prisco, **CBS Sports**:
It's all about the growth of Stefon Diggs for the Vikings. They've added help on the line and getting receiver Laquon Treadwell should help the passing game.
Vikings No. 9*— *Elliot Harrison, NFL.com:
*Imagine it's five years ago and you hop on YouTube ... Instead of watching "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" or "Rawhead Rex," you take in some 2011 Manchester United highlights. You live in, uhh, let's say Duluth, Minnesota. And you think, 'That Premier League soccer looks rad!' So you try out for a soccer club over in chi-chi Edina. Five years pass, and here you are, about to play for Manchester United. **#MoritzBoehringer*
Vikings No. 8— USA TODAY Sports:
Mike Zimmer's young group made the leap to the playoffs last season. Now it's time for Teddy Bridgewater and a promising D to take the next step.
Vikings No. 9— Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report:
*The Minnesota Vikings are on the verge of something special. Before the organization can move forward, though, it had to address major concerns along the offensive line. *
Last season, defenses sacked quarterback Teddy Bridgewater 44 times — which tied for sixth-worst among starting signal-callers.
To address the position, the team signed veterans Pat Elflein and Andre Smith. At points in their careers, arguments could be made they were the best at their respective positions.
...
*General manager Rick Spielman experienced a lot of success in his last few drafts. Not every pick hits, but they're not all expected to. This year's class should be similar with the potential to hit on early selections with a few projects added from the latter rounds. *
*Laquon Treadwell will immediately step in as the team's No. 1 target. He and last year's late-round steal, Stefon Diggs, will form quite the complementary duo. Treadwell is a big (6-foot-2, 221 pounds), physical target who is fearless over the middle. The Ole Miss product should also be a tremendous red-zone target for Bridgewater. Throughout most of the draft process, Treadwell served as the top wide receiver prospect before falling to No. 23 overall. *
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*With yet another strong draft class, the Vikings should be in position to capture a second straight NFC North crown. *
