As the Vikings move to the beautiful, brand new, U.S. Bank Stadium, along with them comes a well-received offseason including key roster additions via free agency and a draft class loaded with confident playmakers

Long considered one of the worst stadium deals in professional sports, the Minnesota Vikings – in 1979 – foolishly signed a deal with the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC) that not only kept them in the Metrodome until 2011, but it also forced them into paying rent for the entirety of the contract without ever having a chance to buy the stadium from the MSFC. We know the rest of the story here, as the Metrodome – while an excellent home field advantage for the Vikes – turned into an absolute dump. The laughingstock culminated in the winter of 2010 when after 17 inches of snow fell overnight, the roof of the dome collapsed. To go along with this embarrassment, the Vikings metaphorical trending upward bubble burst as well, as they followed up their terrific 12-4 in 2009 with a 6-10 in 2010 and a paltry 3-13 record in 2011. Needing a new identity; a new born confidence from the city, the people of Minnesota decided to approve the Vikings a new home in the form of U.S. Bank Stadium that is set to open in the summer of 2016. In 2013, fittingly simultaneously, just as ground was broken on the new stadium and the foundation was being set, the rebuilding process in the Vikings organization began as well. In 2013 they drafted a new quarterback – Teddy Bridgewater – in the first round. By 2014 they had a new coach. By 2015 they won the NFC North.

This fresh-faced team was led by both the new and the old, featuring a young aerial attack, a hungry defense, and the ever-consistent force that is Adrian Peterson. Also at the forefront of this Minnesota improvement was second year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. While he didn’t dramatically improve statistically, he offered wiser decision-making and seemed to have a better overall grip on the offensive game plan. Now entering his third season and in a position to take on more leadership, the Vikings invested in Bridgewater’s future with playmaking receivers in the draft, and an immediate impact offensive lineman in free agency. With much of the division appearing vulnerable at the moment, the Vikings see that now is the time to strike. Entering their new home this summer, along with them will be coming a new goal, a new attitude, a new swagger.

Key Free Agent Additions

Alex Boone (OL) – 4 year, $26,800,000

There is no doubt that Boone is not the player that he once was, however he brings to the Vikings size, athleticism, versatility, and ample playoff experience. At 6-foot-8, Boone has served as one of the tallest starting guards in the NFL, and the same will likely be the case for his career as a Viking, however with his versatile skillset, Boone has the ability to kick out to tackle if the Vikings so wish him to do so. Expect him start immediately and to serve as one of the emotional leaders for this offensive line right out of the gates. 

Michael Griffin (S) – 1 year, $2,500,000

Primarily a free safety throughout his rock solid nine-year career, Griffin hit rock bottom of sorts in 2015, as he failed in the single-high role, finishing 176^th of 188 ranked safeties according to Pro Football Focus. While appearing to have lost a step in coverage, Griffin has at least never waivered as a tackler (213 combined tackles over the last two seasons) or in soft zone coverage. Because of this, the Vikings figured that he might be a good fit in Mike Zimmer’s defense as a strong safety.

Griffin will be competing for the starting job at SS, while he will be protected over the top by one of the game’s best free safeties in Harrison Smith. My belief is that with a new role – more concentrated on making plays in the box – and with Smith taking care of his potentially blown deeper coverages, Griffin has a chance to start anew and get back to being a plus graded safety. Overall, a nice bargain purchase for Minnesota here.

Key Draft Selections

Laquon Treadwell (WR) – 1^st Round

After smartly moving on from one of the most overrated receivers of modern times – Mike Wallace – after just one season, the Vikings knew that they needed to address the X-receiver position in either the draft or free agency. After free agency came and went without picking up a worthy flanker, it became pretty evident that the Vikings were going to pull the trigger on one in the first round of the NFL Draft. Luckily for them, surprisingly at 23^rd overall, Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell – the draft’s best receiver – was still sitting on the board. Without hesitation, the Vikings brain trust pulled the trigger on Treadwell, giving them one of the best value selections of the first round.

Despite being the most talented wideout in the draft, teams undoubtedly passed on Treadwell because of his – expectedly might I add – slow 40-time at his pro day. Now while I’m not here to tell you that he’s a burner by any means, Treadwell has more than adequate game speed. Combine that with his unparalleled physicality, underrated route running, strong hands, and excellent natural body positioning, he has the tools to develop into a Dez Bryant type of player – something that every NFL team would take 10 times out of 10. His tape speaks for itself, but here’s a clip of what I believe best showcases what Treadwell is all about.

Mackensie Alexander (CB) – 2^nd Round

My personal favorite pure cornerback in the entire class, Alexander will be an excellent fit in an ever-developing Vikings defense. He plays with top-notch intensity in both the run game and in man-to-man coverage. He possesses excellent footwork and incredible stickiness in order to mirror even the shiftiest of receivers in coverage. He will likely work the best out of the slot, but don’t question Alexander’s physical ability to man-up on an outside island because he has proven time and again to smack doubters and bigger receivers in the mouth. He will bring the exact type of attitude and swagger that this new look Vikings team will love to have on their defense. He’s blessed with more than enough talent, confidence, and bravado needed to become a star at the position going forward. Again, one of the best value selections of the round, as they got who I believe is the best corner in the class… In the second round!

Kentrell Brothers (LB) – 5^th Round

Well built for the position at 6-foot, 245 LBS, Brothers will likely fit in as a rotational linebacker at Mike and Sam, not Will, in Mike Zimmer’s 4-3 defense. His tape shows in spades from his years at Missouri, but his average athleticism at best will limit his potential in the NFL. Consider him similar to TCU’s Paul Dawson in 2015 entering the draft, who possessed first round talent with fifth round athletic ability. Ultimately Dawson went to the Bengals in the third and struggled to get on the field in their loaded defensive roster. Brothers, while similar to Dawson in talent, has a much better chance of making an impact with the Vikings early on because of his seemingly defined role.

Moritz Boehringer (WR) – 6^th Round

If you are going to take a chance on a player, it is best to do it later on in the draft so that the risk is minimized. Now while there isn’t a bigger question mark in the draft than Boehringer, the sixth round seemed like a fair landing spot for him.

Boehringer’s story is certainly a unique one, as he played for a team in Germany that sounds less believable than the fictional one that Peter Griffin of Family Guy played for – the London Silly Nannies. Believe it or not, Boehringer’s former club – the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns – actually exists in the German Football League, where in 2015, he caught 59 passes for 1,232 yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 games.

Boehringer matched his eye-popping production with terrific testing scores and measurables at his pro day. He measured in at just over 6-foot-4, while he carried 230 lbs. very well. He ran a 4.43 40, jumped vertically 39 inches, and benched 225 lbs. 17 times. Had he played in the SEC, we’re talking about a first rounder here.

The problem with Boehringer is that the competition over in Germany is a complete mystery. Many believe that the talent is equitable to a bad D-III program, but it’s really tough to tell. There is no doubt however that Boehringer is blessed with athletic traits and by all accounts he showed well in drills at his pro day. The question really comes in how he will handle getting bodied by NFL players. How will he interact in an NFL locker room? Will he be able to assert himself physically even half as well against NFL corners as he did in the high school level German League? We will find out soon enough during training camp this summer, but until then, this remains a low risk, incredibly high reward pick for the Vikings.

Below are Boehringer’s 2015 Pro German League highlights. Please excuse the JV level camera work.

Steadily improving since they broke ground on their new stadium in 2013, the Vikings appear poised to take an even bigger step once they finally enter U.S. Bank Stadium in the summer of 2016. They took the division crown in 2015, but with a positively reviewed offseason, their sights appear set even higher for 2016. Expect the offense, most specifically the aerial attack, to take a big step forward this upcoming season, while the slight tweaking to their defense should make them an even more intimidating unit in 2016. With a new stadium comes a new swagger, one that coach Zimmer is calling “the Viking way.”