The Vikings have the best running back corps in the NFL without a doubt.  It all starts with last year’s rookie sensation, Adrian Peterson.  Peterson can score from anywhere on the field with his awesome combination of speed and power.  He played in 14 games (9 starts) for the Vikings last season and he carried the ball 238 times for 1,341 yards (5.6 ypc) with 12 TD runs.  He also has caught 19 passes for 268 yards (14.1 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Look for his numbers to improve if he can stay healthy which might always be an issue for him.

Chester Taylor is one of the best backup running backs in the NFL.  He would likely start for about 15-20 teams in the NFL.  Taylor played in 14 games (8 starts) for the Vikings last season and he carried the ball 157 times for 844 yards (5.4 ypc) with 7 TD runs.  He also has caught 29 passes for 281 yards (9.7 avg).  Look for Taylor to add to his solid career numbers in 2008.  Taylor has now played in 91 games (31 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 833 times for 3,659 yards (4.4 ypc) with 17 TD runs.  He has also caught 176 passes for 1,306 yards (7.4 avg) with 3 TD grabs.

Maurice Hicks will take over Mewelde Moore’s old job as the #3 RB of the Vikings.  Hicks played in 16 games (0 starts) for the 49ers last season and he carried the ball 21 times for 117 yards (5.6 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also caught 14 passes for 86 yards (6.1 avg).  Look for Hicks to get some scrap carries behind Peterson and Taylor.  Hicks has now played in 55 games (5 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 205 times for 869 yards (4.2 ypc) with 6 TD runs.  He also has caught 55 passes for 424 yards (7.7 avg) with 1 TD grab.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A+

The Vikings have improved in the off season almost everywhere but QB.  Getting DE Jared Allen to give them a pass rush will really improve the defense which was a strength of the team anyway.  They also added speed burning WR Bernard Berrian to help stretch the offense vertically as long as Tarvaris Jackson can get him the football.  Jackson has impressive physical tools as he is a good runner and he has a strong arm……too bad he doesn’t have any touch on his passes.  He also throws into double teams too often resulting in pick offs.  If Jackson can just protect the football and manage games the Vikings probably will win the NFC North now that Brett Favre has retired.  But, Jackson has shown no signs of improvement and he could wreck the Vikings’ season.  Jackson played in 12 games (all starts) last season for the Vikings and he completed 171 of 294 passes (58.2%) for 1,911 yards with 9 TD passes and 12 interceptions (70.8 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 54 times for 260 yards (4.8 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  The Vikings will need Jackson to be more consistent week to week also as he really throws some stinkers in sometimes that derail the team.  Jackson has now played in 16 games (all starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 218 of 375 passes (58.1%) for 2,386 yards with 11 TD passes and 16 interceptions (69.0 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 69 times for 337 yards (4.9 ypc) with 4 TD runs.

The Vikings have brought back veteran Gus Frerotte to back up Jackson and help mentor him.  But, Frerotte’s game appears to be on the downslope after his rough season in St. Louis last year.  He played in 8 games (3 starts) for the Rams last season and he completed 94 of 167 passes (56.3%) for 1,014 yards with 7 TD passes and 12 interceptions (58.3 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 6 times for 3 yards (0.5 ypc).  Frerotte would probably still be effective managing the game if the Vikings need him as he still has some arm strength and know how left.  Frerotte has now played in 136 games (82 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 1,521 of 2,805 passes (54.2%) for 19,134 yards with 102 TD passes and 91 interceptions (74.3 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 178 times for 308 yards (1.7 ypc) with 5 TD runs. 

Brooks Bollinger will be in a battle to keep his roster spot with rookie John David Booty of USC.  Bollinger was pretty effective when given a chance to play last season.  He doesn’t have the greatest arm but he’s mobile enough to buy time in the pocket and he’s a smart guy.  Bollinger played in 5 games (1 start) last season for the Vikings and he completed 33 of 50 passes (66.0%) for 391 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception (88.0 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 5 times for 18 yards (3.6 ypc).  If Bollinger doesn’t appear like he’s going to make the Vikings’ final roster they should be able to get something for him in trade.  Bollinger has now played in 19 games (10 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 201 of 343 passes (58.6%) for 2,155 yards with 8 TD passes and 8 interceptions (75.2 QB Rating).  Bollinger has also carried the ball 41 times for 155 yards (3.8 ypc).

John David Booty could be just what the doctor ordered for the Vikings down the road.  He played at a high profile school and he led them to a lot of success.  The Vikings don’t need a QB to carry the offense they just need a good game manager and Booty can definately excel in an offense like that.  Don’t be surprised if he not only beats Brooks Bollinger out but makes a move up the depth chart as a rookie.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  D

The Vikings needed some speed to help out the offense and special teams and that led to the selection of Jaymar Johnson.  Johnson is 6′0″, 176 pounds so he’s a tad small to be anything more than a #4 of #5 WR on the Vikings.  He was a playmaker in college though.  In his last two seasons at Jackson State, Johnson caught 66 passes for 1,140 yards (17.3 avg) with 9 TD grabs.  He also returned 43 punts for 469 yards (10.9 avg) with 2 TD returns.  This is a boom or bust pick for the Vikings.

John Sullivan is a smart player as he made all of the line calls at Notre Dame but he’s limited athletically.  He is not good at hitting moving targets in the running game but he’s a decent pass blocker.  With the Vikings’ style of offense however, Sullivan will have to improve his run blocking to get on the field.  He played in 47 games (43 starts) at Notre Dame.  Sullivan is 6′3″, 294 pounds and he could also be tried out at guard for the Vikings.  If the Vikings can coach up Sullivan they could have something here.

Letroy Guion is a classic DT as he doesn’t make many plays outside the tackle box.  He will need to get stronger to deal with NFL O-Linemen as he sometimes got pushed around on running plays last season.  He is 6′4″, 295 pounds and he could use some more sand in his shoes.  Guion played in 34 games (14 starts) at Florida State and he finished with 66 tackles, had 12.5 tackles for a loss and he had 1.5 sacks.  Don’t expect a whole lot out of Guion unless he gets a bit tougher.