Minnesota Vikings Could Have 3 Rookie Starters In 2015

The Minnesota Vikings have been in a state of rebuilding and making last hurrahs for several seasons now. They haven’t been serious contenders during that time except for one magical season when they were led by one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game, Brett Favre.

Through smart drafting and making hard decisions to let some loved veteran players go, the Minnesota Vikings are now talked about in the media as a team that could surprise a lot of people and sneak into the playoffs despite having a losing record during the 2014 season.

Part of the excitement surrounding the team is the 2015 draft class of the Vikings, where the team could find three of their picks being day one starters for the squad. Here are the three players most likely to start on offense or defense for Minnesota:

Nov 22, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) stands on the field between plays during the1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Trae Waynes, Cornerback

When the Minnesota Vikings drafted Trae Waynes with the #11 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, hopes were that he could step in as soon as possible and start opposite Xavier Rhodes in the team’s defense. With the word from camp about how smart Waynes is and how fast he’s picking up concepts, he just might be good to go for the squad’s season opener on Monday Night Football.

May 27, 2015; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) works on drills at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Kendricks, Linebacker

Kendricks dropping to the Vikings in the second round of the draft seemed like a godsend. He fills a major position of need for the team and has been routinely making athletic plays from the middle of the Minnesota defense. He will be part of a competition for the middle linebacker spot, but shouldn’t have much trouble pulling that job away from less athletic and instinctive players despite his relative rawness.

Sep 13, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers offensive linesman T.J. Clemmings (68) takes a drink on the sidelines in the fourth quarter in a game against the FIU Golden Panthers at FIU Stadium. Pitt won 42-25. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Clemmings, Offensive Line

The exit of Charlie Johnson leaves a hole at the left guard position for the Minnesota Vikings. Interestingly enough, there are rumblings that Brandon Fusco will move over to the right side and a competition will exist for the starting right guard position. Whichever spot it is, you can bet that Clemmings will be in the running for that spot. If he can beat out guys like Joe Berger and David Yankey, the fourth round draft pick could be the third starter for the Vikes.

If these three young guys can prove their worth to the team and step in as starters, the team would be nearing the point where they could draft based on talent alone instead of need in future NFL Drafts. It’s this kind of situation that rebuilding teams hope for. When you’re no longer trying to force square pegs into round holes, you can get better all over the football field.

Hopefully, that kind of success in the draft can translate into wins on the football field.

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