Minnesota Vikings have roster to be real problem in NFC

Don’t sleep on the Minnesota Vikings.

Last year, quarterback Kirk Cousins got the boogeyman off his back. He went into the Superdome against the 13-3 New Orleans Saints, in a playoff game, and played terrific football in a win. Few thought he had it in him. Maybe deep down, he had his own doubts.

Now, Cousins has confidence, and the Vikings should as well.

After a rough offseason for the Green Bay Packers who made Devin Funchess their biggest acquisition, Minnesota is primed to be a problem in both the NFC North and conference at large.

Of course, Minnesota has concerns but also significant upside in the same breath.

The Vikings remade their secondary in the winter, allowing Xavier Rhodes, Mackensie Alexander and Trae Waynes to all move on. Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman added a pair of rookies in first-round pick Jeff Gladney and third-rounder Cameron Dantzler to the cornerback group.

The early pains could pay in long-term gains, with both having serious talent.

At receiver, the Vikings traded Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills but used the draft pick they receiving in return on LSU’s Justin Jefferson. Last year, the national champion notched 1,540 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns for the Tigers.

And, while Diggs is in Buffalo, star Vikings receiver Adam Thielen has given his nod of approval to the receiving corps, per ESPN:

“I’m actually just excited about the depth of that room. Nobody probably knows about the depth of our room, and the guys that we’ve got coming in. But I’ve been around a few of those guys, been able to train with them and work out with them. I’m just really excited about our room.”

While some of the aforementioned hope is based on a trio of rookies performing, there’s ample support around them. Minnesota has a loaded defense including linebacker Eric Kendricks, edge rusher Danielle Hunter and safeties Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith.

Offensively, Minnesota has Cousins throwing to Thielen and Jefferson along with tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. In the backfield is Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook, who rushed for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. If the line holds up, Minnesota is going to be a top-tier offense.

The NFC is loaded, and any team which emerges from the group will need a combination of talent, luck and health. While the Minnesota Vikings haven’t gotten the press others have, don’t sleep on one of the better, well-coached teams in the game.