The Vikings began to look like Super Bowl contenders after their 5-0 start to the season in 2016, but injuries and abysmal Offensive line play contributed to their 3-8 record following a bye week in Week 6. The 5-0 start proved too good to be true as the rest of the season saw Minnesota slip more towards their preseason projection considering the injury to Teddy Bridgewater. Minnesota's offense ranked 26th last season, according to Football Outsiders, and their struggles held the entire team back. The Vikings have attempted to address their weaknesses this offseason and will try to take back the NFC North title from the division-rival Packers in 2017.
QB
Sam Bradford joined the Vikings just days before the regular season began last season, and had to endure a change at offensive coordinator halfway through the year. Despite those hardships and playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football, Bradford had the best year of his career throwing for 3,877 yards at 7.0 yards per attempt with 20 TD's and only 5 interceptions. With a full offseason to get a better handle on the Vikings' offense, Bradford should carry that momentum into the 2017 season.
RB
The Vikings will not have Adrian Peterson on the roster for the first time since 2006, but Vikings fans should be excited about their new rookie running back Dalvin Cook. He was Pro Football Focus' top-ranked running back in this year's draft class which was chalk-full of talent at the position, but the Vikings were able to pick him up with the 41st overall pick due to a combination of off-field concerns and a poor showing at the NFL Combine.
Cook's talent and the opportunity to become Minnesota's lead running back makes him a legitimate Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
WR/TE
Stefon Diggs emerged as a true number one receiver last season, and Adam Thielen went from an undrafted special teams contributor to gaining nearly 1,000 yards receiving with 5 touchdowns in 2016.
Kyle Rudolph has remained a solid option at tight end, and rookie Bucky Hodges could be one of the biggest sleeper prospects from this year's draft. The success of the receiving corps will hinge on second-year WR Laquon Treadwell's development after he only played 79 snaps last season as a first round pick.
OL
The Vikings' offensive line proved to be their Achilles heel last season, but they spent a lot of money this offseason in an attempt to improve that unit in 2017.
They signed tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers in free agency who should be able to give Minnesota competency at left and right tackle. The interior of their offensive line could actually be a strength next season with Joe Berger and Alex Boone at guard surrounding a promising rookie center in Pat Elflein.
Minnesota's offense ranked near the bottom of the league last season, but stability in the coaching staff and an improved offensive line should see their ranking increase dramatically in 2017.
