We’re a little deeper in the offseason and its time for combine weekend! The combine is one of the few exciting parts of the offseason and an event Vikings fans should pay attention to. Many players rise up in the draft and some fall. This could be a benefit in the Vikings case because combine will really shake up the draft and possibly the offseason plan. It also gives a closer look at how all of the prospects stack up against each other.

Key Veteran Priorities
Sign Percy Harvin to long term deal
Reconstruct contracts for John Carlson, Kevin Williams, & Jared Allen.

In house free agents
FB Jerome Felton -Sign
WR Devin Aromashodu -Walk
WR Jerome Simpson -Sign
OT Phil Loadholt -Sign
OL Joe Berger -Sign
OG Geoff Schwartz -Walk
LB Jasper Brinkley -Sign
LB Erin Henderson -*EXPECTED TO TEST FA MARKET*
LB Marvin Mitchell -Walk
S Jamarca Sanford -Sign
OL Troy Kropog -Walk
CB AJ Jefferson -Sign
CB Marcus Sherels -Walk
S Andrew Sendejo -Walk

Release from roster
Michael Jenkins, Charlie Johnson, Chris Kluwe, Letroy Guion

Outside Free Agents
Sign Louis Vasquez G, San Diego
Sign Johnathan Casillas OLB, New Orleans
Sign Brian Hoyer QB, Arizona
Sign David Nelson WR, Buffalo
NFL Draft Day 1
1. Johnathan Hankins DT, Ohio State

Hankins had a very impressive year for Ohio State. Totaling 55 tackles, four for a loss, and a sack. Double teams won’t stop him. Hankins is able to stuff the run and dismantle the passing game. Being a disruptive pass rusher is important, but the Vikings surprisingly struggled against the run at times this season and by drafting Hankins, the Vikings will have yet another excellent run defender for years to come.

Draft Day 2
2. Justin Hunter WR, Tennessee

The Vikings add Hunter, a tall deep threat. Hunter is 6’4 and after seeing big receivers like A.J Green and Calvin Johnson be productive, it would be nice to see the Vikings add a big body with talent to their receiving corps: a receiver every Vikings fan wish they had this season. Hunter was criticized this year but dealt with injury and was still productive picking up over 1,000 yards. He’s an impressive prospect and expected to start.

3. Chase Thomas OLB, Stanford
Chase Thomas is a big body that we need at OLB. He’s 6’3 and 245 and will hopefully bulk up even. over the offseason.Thomas is often ranked among the 3-5 best ILB prospect entering the draft. Thomas is not a huge name, but would fill a great need at linebacker for the Vikings and be a potential starter as well. His numbers a good with around 70 tackles, 14 or so for a loss. In addition to that, 7 and a half sacks. His numbers, again, are good, but not HUGE. However, his presence is felt on the field and Thomas could be a contributor and potentially a game changer that Minnesota needs at linebacker.

Draft Day 3
4. Kiko Alonso ILB, Oregon
4. Duke Williams SS, Nevada
5. Micah Hyde CB, Iowa
6. Jake Knott OLB, Iowa State
7. James Wilson G, Florida
7. Quinn Sharp P, Oklahoma State

Summer 2013, Preseason, & Final 53
So, with free agency and the draft over, the main part of the offseason is concluded. Heading into Summer 2013. Along with final cuts, your Minnesota Vikings 53-man preseason and regular season roster is. . .

Final Cuts: Bethel-Thompson, Williams (CFL), Raymond, Deen, Mckenzie, S. Burton

Offense
Quarterbacks
Ponder, Hoyer, Webb

Running Backs
Peterson, Gerhart, Asiata

Wide Receivers
Harvin, Simpson, Hunter, Wright, Nelson, Childs

Full Back
Felton

Tight Ends
Rudolph, Carlson, Ellison, Reisner

Offensive Line
RT: Loadholt
RG: Fusco, Wilson
C: Sullivan, Berger
LG: Vasquez, Asper
LT: Kalil

Defense
Defensive Line
DE: Allen, Griffen
DE: Robison, Reed
DT: Williams, Ballard
DT: Hankins, Evans

Linebackers
OLB: Thomas, Casillas
ILB: Brinkley, Alonso, Cole
OLB: Greenway, Knott

Cornerbacks
Winfield, Robinson, Burton
Cook, Hyde, Jefferson

Safeties
FS: Smith, Sanford
SS: Blanton, Williams

Special Teams
P: Sharp
K: Walsh
LS: Loeffler
KR: Harvin
PR: Wright