Minnesota Vikings have No. 23 pick in 2016 draft

The Minnesota Vikings will select 23rd overall in April’s draft after falling to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

The Vikings and their fans were hoping they could go at least one more week before putting aside this season and beginning to focus on the offseason.

Thanks to Adrian Peterson‘s fumble – and other circumstances – that will not happen.

The season is over for Minnesota after a frustrating day in the freezing cold of TCF Bank Stadium. It’s now time to look forward to everything the offseason brings including free agency and the draft.

After yesterday’s loss, the Vikings now know where they will be picking in that draft, set to begin April 30.

By virtue of their 11-5 record, one game worse than Saturday playoff losers the Bengals, the Vikings will select 23rd overall.

The Redskins slot in at 21 and the Texans at 22.

The Vikings last year picked 11th overall and took Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes. The year before they had the #8 overall pick but traded down one spot and took Anthony Barr.

Next: Adrian Peterson fumbled the game away

Now that we know where the Vikings are picking, the debate can begin about what position they should address first this year and which players they should target.

After going heavy on defense with their big picks the last few years, the Vikings this year might look to address the offense, particularly the line.

Of course, it’s hard to finalize positions of need until free agency happens. Which players might the Vikings allow to walk? Which ones will they try to bring back?

A lot of intriguing questions will be asked, and answered, in the weeks to come.