Power Rankings: Top Post-Draft Offenses (11-15)

Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs with ball against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings 5-10-1

Last Season’s Rankings: #13 Overall Offense (344.3 total yards per game) #23 Passing Offense (214.2 passing yards per game) #8 Rushing Offense (130.1 rushing yards per game)

Last Season
Last season saw the likes of three different QBs due to the injuries of Christian Ponder and poor play of Josh Freeman. From Josh Freeman to Matt Cassel to Ponder, the Vikings ranked 23rd in the league in passing yards last season (214.2 passing yards per game). Had it not been for Adrian Peterson and the Vikings eight ranked running game, the Vikings probably would not have been ranked 13th in the league last season. For the time being no one knows who is the starter, however both Matt Cassel and Teddy Bridgewater both have as good an opportunity as ever. AP will be back and is prepared to make history once again in Minnesota.

Run Offense
If there is one name you need to remember from the Minnesota Vikings running game is the guy who has redefined Minnesota football: Mr. Adrian Peterson. Since he was a rookie out of Oklahoma, Peterson has averaged 1,455 yards, 12 touchdowns and a solid five yards per carry for every single season. In 2013 Peterson came within nine yards of immortality as he rushed for 2,097 yards, second most on the all-time rushing list behind Eric Dickerson. Unfortunately for the Vikings last season, Peterson suffered a foot injury which forced him to sit out the last two games of the season. In his place came back up Matt Asiata who still was able to rush for a modest 166 yards and 3 touchdowns in his two games started, including an outstanding 115 yard, 14 carry performance against the Lions (8.2 yards per carry). For the Vikings next season, Peterson is going to come back nice and healthy and should continue to pound the ball in typical AD fashion. Now, in terms of injuries and such, Peterson has Asiata and new rookie Jerick McKinnon out of Georgia Southern. According to rotoworld.com, “He ran 4.41 at the Combine with otherworldly jumps of 40 1/2″ in the vertical and 11-feet in the broad. McKinnon shuttled between quarterback and tailback throughout college, finishing his career with a 6.30 YPC average on 619 attempts and 55 all-purpose TDs (42 rushing, 12 passing, one receiving). McKinnon’s athleticism shows up more in workouts than on the field, however, and he’s a total project in the passing game, with next to no pass-blocking experience and only ten career catches. He’ll be someone to monitor in Dynasty circles as he slides in behind Adrian Peterson.” As well, the Vikings added former Stanford offensive guard David Yankey to the mix who should give the Vikes some added run blocking. Unfortunately the Vikings lost RB Toby Gerhart to free agency (signed with Jacksonville), however in his time with the Vikings, he never saw much playing time except when Peterson was either injured or tired from carrying the team on his back. Because Peterson got injured for the last two games, Minnesota ranked eighth in the league last season in rushing. With Peterson healthy I expect their rushing yards per game to go up accordingly.

Pass Offense
As stated above, the Vikings QB situation last year was most certainly complicated. This year it is complicated as well, however it is complicated for all of the right reasons. Last season the Vikings didn’t have a starting QB because they weren’t prepared to have Ponder get injured. In 2014 the Vikings have a healthy dose of QBs to work with in the off-season. From Matt Cassel (1,807 yards, 11 touchdowns and 60.2% completion) to Ponder (1,648 yards, 7 touchdowns and 63.6% completion) to new rookie Teddy Bridgewater, the Vikings will have no problem in having a QB for 2014. The only true problem for the Vikings will be in choosing who that QB will be. Teddy Bridgewater could potentially be the starting QB next season.

In 2013, Bridgewater was able to throw for 3,970 yards, 31 touchdowns and a 71.0% completion rating all while only throwing four interceptions all season. While ranking 10th in the NCAA for total passing yards (3,970), 10th in yards per attempt (9.3 yards per attempt ), Bridgewater ranked 2nd in total completion percentage (71.0%), top-12 in touchdowns (31 touchdowns) and ninth in completions (303 completions). Along with being named to the second team All American Athletic conference, Bridgewater was also a Maxwell award semifinalist. At 6’3″, 208 pounds, Bridgewater doesn’t necessarily have the body of that of a typical NFL QB; however he makes up for it with technique and precision accuracy. According to numerous scouts and Bridgewater’s tape, the former Louisville Cardinal has a great combination of short-range accuracy and athleticism. As far as the individual work outs are concerned, Bridgewater played well. The former Northwestern High graduate was able to jump 30 inches, run a 4.79 40-yard dash and 9’5″ broach jump at the combine. When looking at Bridgewater’s overall skill set and abilities, one defining characteristic is Bridgewater’s short game. Throughout the season at Louisville, TB showed he was able step back in the pocket, wait back for receivers to get open, use his feet when needed and fire an accurate throw. He has pretty good size for an NFL QB, however his weight and muscle definition could be a question mark seeing as that ankle and wrist problems have plagued Bridgewater at the University of Louisville.

However, while Bridgewater may have the youth and accuracy under control, Matt Cassel and Ponder do have the NFL experience to take this team far. Whoever proves to be the better passer in 2014, they are going to have a lot of great receiving talent to choose from. For instance, with 804 yards and four touchdowns, former Green Bay Packers WR Greg Jennings led the Vikings in receiving in 2013. And although his talent was underrated, sophomore speedster Cordarrelle Patterson has a lot of potential. Last season he had 469 yards and four touchdowns on 45 catches in 2013, however many of his touchdowns came on long catch and runs down the field. I expect the Vikings to exploit the speed of Patterson and perhaps run some bubble screens or slants to him in the slot. As for the other receivers, the Vikings have TE Kyle Rudolph (313 yards on 30 receptions) and WRs Jerome Simpson (48 receptions for 726 yards) and Jarius Wright (434 yards on 26 catches). I believe next season we can be seeing Jennings go for over 1,000 yards as the QB situation in Minnesota finally resolves the Vikings passing issues. Unfortunately due to injury, Rudolph was only able to appear in eight games in 2013. I think that a healthy Rudolph can help this Minnesota offense, especially in the red zone. WR Jarius Wright definitely has untapped potential. Expect off-season OTAs, mini-camp and pre-season games to really show who is going to be the leader of this offense next season.

In The End
Overall the Vikings offense does run through Adrian Peterson, however with the addition of Teddy Bridgewater, we could be seeing more of a reliance on the passing game in Minnesota. In 2014 AP should be typical AP, rushing for over 1,200 yards at the minimum (granted he doesn’t get injured). Even if AP does get injured, there will always be Asiata and rookie McKinnon to take his place. Although no one can truly replace the Adrian Peterson, these guys are ready as ever. The key really for the Vikings in 2014 is establishing their passing game early. Once they decide on their week one starting QB, the Vikings should see massive improvement. With Kyle Rudolph and Greg Jennings running routes, Minnesota has some talented receivers who can surely make a difference come playoff time.