VIKINGS RECEIVE MAJOR COMPLIMENT FROM NATIONAL MEDIA OUTLET

The Minnesota Vikings receive respectable rating from Pro Football Focus' pre-draft power rankings.

The Minnesota Vikings are entering a pivotal season for the future direction of the franchise.

The Vikings have seen plenty of changes on the coaching staff and with personnel this offseason. Additions of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, along with CB Byron Murphy and DE Marcus Davenport should lead to a much-improved defense in 2023.

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Minnesota parted ways with Adam Thielen, who signed with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. The team did sign TE Josh Oliver, who will help rejuvenate the Vikings’ rushing attack, which took a step back last season.

While the dust has settled in free agency, and the NFL Draft is on the horizon, Pro Football Focus released its pre-draft power rankings. The Vikings check in at No. 8 on the list, which is probably a touch higher than many would have expected.

From PFF: The Vikings brought in tight end Josh Oliver, who will help when it comes to operating more effectively out of 12 personnel. Oliver’s 74.6 run-blocking grade in 2022 ranked second among tight ends with at least 100 run-blocking snaps on the season.

They also signed an elite edge defender in Marcus Davenport, who has put up a 17.8% pass-rush win rate and 13.9% pressure percentage — both top-20 marks among edge defenders — since entering the league in 2018. He's also earned a very respectable 82.1 run-defense grade for his career, which ranks 16th over the span.

Davenport has five straight campaigns grading above 70.0, but injuries have been his biggest issue.

Here is where the rest of the NFC North ranks:

13. Lions

18. Packers

26. Bears

The only NFC teams ahead of the Vikings are the 49ers (2), Eagles (3) and Cowboys (6).

Many still believe the Vikings are capable of contending in the NFC. Though the team has done well to add talent through free agency, returning starters such as Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook will ultimately decide where the team finishes in 2023.

2023-03-31T19:31:45Z dg43tfdfdgfd