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The Vikings have decided to release Brad Johnson and go in a different direction at quarterback. Johnson played in 15 games (14 starts) last season and he completed 270 of 439 passes (61.5%) for 2,750 yards with 9 TD passes and 15 interceptions (72.0 QB Rating). It remains to be seen if the Vikings will be content to go into next season with Tavaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger at quarterback.
The Vikings TEs had an off year last season as the Vikings pass game was awful. Jermaine Wiggins played in 16 games (3 starts) and he caught 46 passes for 386 yards (8.4 avg) with 1 TD catch. For his career, Wiggins has played in 107 games (44 starts) and he has caught 236 passes for 2,141 yards (9.1 avg) with 14 TD grabs.
Jimmy Kleinsasser played in 16 games (12 starts) and he caught 7 passes for 47 yards (6.7 avg). For his career, Kleinsasser played in 101 games (83 starts) and he has caught 154 passes for 1,331 yards (8.6 avg) with 5 TD grabs. He also has carried the ball 43 times for 147 yards (3.4 avg) with 1 TD run.
It’s hard to say if the Vikings had a good or bad draft. 1st round pick OLB Chad Greenway went down in the pre-season and didn’t play a down, so it’s hard evaluate the draft until he plays. Here’s a breakdown on the draft:
1st round pick OLB Chad Greenway was a projected starter for the Vikings until he blew his knee out in the exhibition season and he didn’t play a down. He will get a chance to win a starting job at outside linebacker next season if he’s healthy.
CB Cedric Griffin was selected in the second round and he proved to be a good pick. He has the look of a future starter for the Vikings. He played in 14 games last season and made 41 tackles, 2 interceptions and recovered a fumble.
OT Ryan Cook was also a second round pick for the Vikings. He played in 6 games and started 3 of them. He looks like a keeper for the Vikings as he can play any position on the offensive line.
Tavaris Jackson was the 3rd pick the Vikings had in the 2nd round and he is a raw player with big-time potential. He played in 4 games (2 starts) and he completed 47 of 81 passes (58.0%) for 475 yards with 2 TD passes and 4 interceptions for a QB Rating of 62.5. He also carried the ball 15 times for 77 yards (5.1 ypc) with 1 TD run. He’s a very athletic player, but this is going to take some time.
In the 4th round the Vikings selected DE Ray Edwards. Edwards had a solid season as a reserve for the Vikings. He played in 15 games and made 10 tackles, had 3 sacks and defensed 2 passes.
Strong safety Greg Blue was the 5th round pick for the Vikings. He played in all 16 games and made 14 tackles, mostly on special teams.