MINNEAPOLIS -- We're continuing our ranking of the Minnesota Vikings' roster, counting down from No. 53 to No. 1 before the start of training camp. Here are the previous installments:
June 30: Nos. 53-46
July 1: Nos. 45-41
July 2: Nos. 40-36
July 3: Nos. 35-31
July 14: Nos. 30-26
July 15: Nos. 25-21
Today, we'll look at players No. 20-16
20. Eric Kendricks, LB
There might not be any rookie in the Vikings' 2015 draft class who contributes as immediately or significantly as Kendricks. The Vikings seem to be grooming him to be the starting middle linebacker, and it's possible Kendricks will stay on the field in passing situations as part of the Vikings' nickel package. He's small for a middle linebacker, but he fits the trend of lighter linebackers who can run, and his range is what will pay off for him in Mike Zimmer's system. If Kendricks can cover tight ends and react to run plays the way he did in minicamp, the Vikings could have the answer to a long-festering problem in the middle of their defense.
19. Chad Greenway, LB
Moving on from the 32-year-old linebacker is a popular option in some corners of the Internet, but the Vikings clearly don't feel that way yet. Zimmer said earlier this offseason that Greenway is still the Vikings' best weakside linebacker. And the Vikings wouldn't have restructured Greenway's deal at a $5.575 million cap number for 2015 if they didn't value him -- not when cutting him would have been such an affordable option. It's possible the Vikings will look to limit Greenway's nickel snaps if Kendricks shows he can handle that part of the job; Greenway said in June that he still wants to be a three-down linebacker, but admitted the "writing is on the wall" with how much playing time a second-round pick will get. But Greenway has said his body feels great after an injury-riddled 2014, and his instincts and experience should keep him in a sizable role this year.
18. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR
Patterson remains this high on the list because of the position on the back side of the slash mark; his struggles as a receiver in 2014 are well-documented by now, and for all the talk about his robust offseason workout routine, he remained the Vikings' fourth wide receiver during OTAs and minicamp. But even in a year where Patterson's kick return numbers were subdued, his impact was still notable. According to ESPN Stats and Information, the Vikings still had the league's fourth-best starting field position after a kickoff return or touchback, even though Patterson's return average dropped to 25.6 yards from a league-leading 32.4 in 2013. The reason? Enough teams are still scared of Patterson that they often kick the ball short to avoid him. As long as Patterson represents that kind of a threat, he'll have value to the Vikings. He could also see his touches out of the backfield rebound as teams are once again forced to focus on Adrian Peterson.
17. Brian Robison, DE
He turned 32 in April, and missed most of the Vikings' OTAs and minicamp with a pectoral injury he sustained during a May workout. That could cut into the playing time for Robison, who struggled at times against the run after playing more than 900 snaps last year. But he remains a leader in the Vikings' locker room, and was one of the players Zimmer cited for helping to set the tone on defense, especially when the coach's new scheme required Robison to change his role. If Robison struggles this season, the Vikings could restructure his deal or cut him next spring. But the team kept him on the roster this year, guaranteeing the final $2.15 million of his base salary on July 1, and Robison figures to be a prominent piece of the defense if he's healthy.
16. Charles Johnson, WR
The former Green Bay Packers castoff and Cleveland Browns practice-squad player is in position to become a success story with the Vikings. He led the team in receiving yards over the final five weeks of the season, as Teddy Bridgewater started to look for him down the field more often, and Johnson was the Vikings' top split end through OTAs and minicamp. He's big enough to thrive on the post plays that Norv Turner loves, and he seems hungry for a big role in the Vikings' offense; he spent part of his offseason trying to sharpen his footwork on his routes, and has been training in the Twin Cities after minicamp. On a team that isn't exactly stocked with big receivers, the 6-foot-2 Johnson should have opportunities if he can continue to show he deserves them.