Which Viking Rookie Will Contribute the Most, Year One?

[hibbingviking]

shariff Floyd . he is the most pro ready. all three have huge upsides. Floyd and Patterson are the best at there positions and we got them. Xavier Rhodes was the most physical corner.

[jackal]

I would Xavier or Bond I expect both of them to start ...

[Purple bruise]

I would Xavier or Bond I expect both of them to start ...

Bond starting would be shocking but from what I have read he seems to be the utility type of player (gaurd or tackle) that should fill some needs no doubt.

[dead_poet]

Bond starting would be shocking but from what I have read he seems to be the utility type of player (gaurd or tackle) that should fill some needs no doubt.

Fun article on Bond:

Vikings draft: Seventh-round pick Travis Bond shows off big sense of humor

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_231 ... -7th-round

[Purple bruise]

Fun article on Bond:

Vikings draft: Seventh-round pick Travis Bond shows off big sense of humor

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_231 ... -7th-round

That was a great read...thanks for sharing

[jackal]

Bond is huge guard/tackle prospect that will challenge a starting job for RG eventually....

With two huge maulers Loadholt and Bond next to each other Peterson should have some huge
holes to run through..If you added Felton providing key blocks Peterson should be busting some huge
runs the length of the field next season.

[King James]

If Michael Mauti can get healthy in time, and win the spot in the middle, there is no doubt that he contribute right away. He is a very underrated LB. He would have been 1st round talent but injuries make your stock drop all the way down.

[dkoby]

Lets all hope it's NOT the punter.

[PacificNorseWest]

Lets all hope it's NOT the punter.

Why?

[Eli]

Why?

Because the Vikings spent 5 draft picks taking 3 guys in the 1st round that you would expect to contribute more than a 5th round punter.

[PacificNorseWest]

Because the Vikings spent 5 draft picks taking 3 guys in the 1st round that you would expect to contribute more than a 5th round punter.

Fair enough. I don't think it's out of the question though, for a player who makes some kind of impact on almost every single non-scoring, drive. When you have a top tier punter, then his impact on the game can be HUGE. Especially if you have a good and improving defense. I look at impact as more than just TD's and INT's. Field position is one of the biggest battles in the game within the game.

[Mothman]

My guess is Rhodes will get the most playing time and make the biggest contribution as a rookie but my gut instinct is that Hodges is a dark horse candidate to start at WLB and make a significant contribution as a rookie. So, my answer is Rhodes but I think it could be Hodges.

[dkoby]

I think he just means if the punter is contributing the most, than that would mean that Xavier, Floyd, and Patterson probably aren't doing much which would suck.

Bingo.

I hope he only gets one punt per game.

[MrPurplenGold]

I think Patterson is going to have 1500 total rushing, receiving and return yards. I think Hodges will probably have around 80 tackles with 1 or 2 turnovers. I think those two are going to make the most immediate impact statistically out of all of the rookies outside of Locke. He will have an impact by default. I think Floyd and Rhodes will have an impact, I just don't think statistically they'll have as much of an impact.

[losperros]

My guess is Rhodes will get the most playing time and make the biggest contribution as a rookie but my gut instinct is that Hodges is a dark horse candidate to start at WLB and make a significant contribution as a rookie. So, my answer is Rhodes but I think it could be Hodges.

I go along with your reasoning, Jim. I think Rhodes sees the most playing time, though I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Hodges ends up starting at one of the LB positions.

OTOH, speaking of dark horses, Patterson just might have more plays making high light reels, if you know what I mean. It all depends on how many *big* plays he puts up and I believe he will do that, particularly as a returner but also occasionally as a receiver. I believe that's what the Vikings are going to be looking for from Patterson as they develop him as a WR.