Which teams should the Minnesota Vikings emulate if they retool?
By Luke Parrish
New Orleans Saints
Despite losing their franchise quarterback to retirement and a star wide receiver to injury, the New Orleans Saints are still very much a threat in the NFC. The Saints took a chance on Jameis Winston after his departure from Tampa Bay and it paid off until he suffered a season-ending injury midway through the season.
Still, New Orleans is staying alive in the NFC South because they built the perfect team for this sort of scenario. They found cornerstones in the NFL Draft and have put together one of the best offensive lines in all of football as a result. The Saints have also built a tough defense through the perfect blend of youth and experience.
The Vikings, on the other hand, need to be more impactful when selecting players on the defensive side of the ball. They have some veteran leaders as mentioned before but they do not have enough contributions from young guys to balance things. Cameron Dantzler and Cam Bynum have upside but they need to prove a lot more.
If the Vikings can somehow develop a tough defense and elite offensive line without sacrificing too many of their other positions, they can create an enticing spot for other free agents and quarterbacks. Who wouldn’t want to play for a team that does not allow points and protects the quarterback?