Minnesota Vikings could have five rookie starters in 2013
By Nam Huynh
Apr 26, 2012; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Leslie Frazier introduce the 2013 1st round draft picks Sharrif Floyd (76) and Xavier Rhodes (29) and Cordarrelle Patterson (84) at at a press conference at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings may start as many as five new rookies during the 2013 season.
The Vikings are not afraid to throw rookies into the fire, as seen in 2012 when they started five rookies: left tackle Matt Kalil (16 games), safety Harrison Smith (16 games), kicker Blair Walsh (16 games), cornerback Josh Robinson (6 games), and Jarius Wright (1 game).
First-round picks defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, cornerback Xavier Rhodes and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson are expected to contribute right away based on depth at their respected positions. Linebacker Gerald Hodges, a fourth-round pick from Penn St., comes from a school well known for producing NFL-ready linebackers. Depending on how fellow Penn St. linebacker Michael Mauti does in his recovery from a torn ACL, he may see some time at middle linebacker this season as well—but it is less likely. Last but not least, fifth-round draft pick punter Jeff Locke could replace Chris Kluwe, much like how Walsh replaced Ryan Longwell last season.
Here is a projected depth chart where you could realistically see five rookie starters for the Vikings during the 2013 season:
** = Potential rookie starter
Offense
QB: Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, Joe Webb, McLeod Bethel-Thompson
HB: Adrian Peterson, Toby Gerhart, Matt Asiata
FB: Jerome Felton
TE: Kyle Rudolph, John Carlson, Rhett Ellison
WR: Greg Jennings, Jarius Wright, Stephen Burton
WR: **Cordarrelle Patterson, Jerome Simpson, Rodney Smith
LT: Matt Kalil, Troy Kropog
LG: Charlie Johnson, Jeff Baca
C: John Sullivan, Joe Berger
RG: Brandon Fusco, Travis Bond
RT: Phil Loadholt
Defense
RE: Jared Allen, Everson Griffen
DT: Kevin Williams, Christian Ballard, Everett Dawkins
DT: **Sharrif Floyd, Letroy Guion, Fred Evans
LE: Brian Robison, Lawrence Jackson, George Johnson
WLB: **Gerald Hodges, Marvin Mitchell
MLB: Erin Henderson, Audie Cole, Michael Mauti, Tyrone McKenzie
SLB: Chad Greenway, Larry Dean
LCB: Chris Cook, Josh Robinson, Marcus Sherels
RCB: **Xavier Rhodes, A.J. Jefferson
SS: Jamarca Sanford, Mistral Raymond
FS: Harrison Smith, Robert Blanton, Andrew Sendejo
Special Teams
PK: Blair Walsh
P: **Jeff Locke, Chris Kluwe
LS: Cullen Loeffler
KR: **Cordarrelle Patterson, Marcus Sherels
PR: Marcus Sherels, Josh Robinson, Jarius Wright