With the dust settled on free agency and the NFL Draft only a few weeks away, it's time to take stock of the roster and see where the Vikings should focus their efforts on restocking in said draft. This analysis is going to consider starting experience and average player age to determine which positions are those of greatest need. I'll be addressing offense and defense, and since I believe that special teamers (punter, kicker, longsnapper) should only be addressed via undrafted free agents, they won't be included. So, we'll start on the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterbacks: Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill, Taylor Heinicke

Average Games Started: 21

Average Age: 27.3

Draft Need: Low

The quarterback position has an interesting combination of youth and experience. On the one hand we have a pair of 23-year old quarterbacks brimming with potential in Teddy Bridgewater and Taylor Heinicke. And on the other we have an aging veteran in 36-year old Shaun Hill, who has earned more than half of the combined starts of this group. Still, with a good mix of age and experience, this is a position that is set for 2016 and beyond. There might be some reservations about Shaun Hill's ability to take over the reins from Teddy should his number be called, but there aren't a lot of better options for a veteran backup available.

Running backs: Adrian Peterson, Jerick Mckinnon, Matt Asiata, (FB Blake Renaud-PS holdover)

Average Games Started: 43

Average Age: 27.3

Draft Need: Low

Like the quarterback position the running back position has a mix of experience and youth. Unfortunately, that experience is not in the form of a "veteran backup". With Peterson at age 31 and facing a ridiculous cap hit in 2017, and Asiata providing solid if unspectacular ability behind him, the question becomes: can Jerick Mckinnon be a feature back in the NFL in the near future? Based on his limited experience thus far, I would wager the answer to that question is no. While the Vikings are set for 2016 at the running back position, they are decidedly not set for 2017 and beyond. If the right player is available when the Vikings are on the clock, grabbing a running back to sit behind Peterson for a year would be a smart move. Unfortunately, the Vikings seem intent on running Peterson into the ground until he literally can't do it anymore so there will probably be a contract extension in the works for next season to spread out his cap hit even more. When this article was written Zach Line was still a free agent, so it's worth pointing out that aside from a practice squad player with 0 NFL experience, the Vikings do not have a fullback on the roster. So unless a contract is worked out with Zach Line, the Vikings could be in the market for a fullback.

Wide Receiver: Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright, Charles Johnson, Adam Thielen, Cordarrelle Patterson, Terrell Sinkfield, (Isaac Fruechte-PS holdover)

Average Games Started: 8.5

Average Age: 25

Draft Need: High

Wide receiver might be the youngest, least-experienced position group on the team. And therefore, it's also the biggest team need by far. Not a single receiver on the team has started more than 14 total career games, and not a single receiver on the team has more than 140 career receptions. This is a team in desperate need of an established, go-to target for Teddy Bridgewater. It's possible that Stefon Diggs could become that player, and Charles Johnson showed brief flashes of being that kind of player in 2014, but there is a reason that over 75% of the mock drafts on the internet have the Vikings taking a wide receiver in the first round of NFL Draft. They would be wise to draft more than one to increase their chances of finding some talent. Unfortunately, a draft pick will add nothing to the experience department at this position.

Tight End: Kyle Rudolph, Mycole Pruitt, Rhett Ellison, Brian Leonardt

Average Games Started: 24.3

Average Age: 25.8

Draft Need: None

Did you know that Kyle Rudolph is a year younger than Rhett Ellison, despite being drafted 1 year before him? It's crazy to believe that Kyle Rudolph is only 26 years old, and therefore still has plenty of playing years ahead of him. If the offensive line can improve (allowing Rudolph to pass-block less), and he can stay healthy (a big "if"), then perhaps 2016 will finally be the year he fulfills his giant mountain of potential. This is one of the more solid position groups on the roster with a good mix of veteran experience and developmental youth.

Offensive Tackle: Matt Kalil, Phil Loadholt, Andre Smith, T.J. Clemmings, Austin Shepherd, Carter Bykowski

Average Games Started: 32.3

Average Age: 26.2

Draft Need: Medium

In terms of experience and age, the tackle position should be one of the strongest units on the roster. Unfortunately we have nothing but questions marks. Is Matt Kalil worthy of a long-term extension? Can Phil Loadholt return from his devastating injury? Will Andre Smith be able to bounce back from a pair of down seasons? Will T.J. Clemmings be able to make the jump from an unspectacular rookie campaign? And what do we really have in Austin Shepherd and Carter Bykowski? If the answer is a resounding "yes" to most of those questions, then this unit will be set for a while. But if the answer is "no", then we'll be in a world of hurt. With four tackles all having a minimum of 1 years' worth of starting experience, and none over the age of 30, I would be surprised if the Vikings spend an early draft pick on the position. They will likely roll the dice with what they have and hope for the best. But this could be a position group that has the potential to blow up in their faces, and therefore I would not hesitate to spend an early round pick on a tackle. Despite the signing of Andre Smith, offensive tackle is still a medium draft need for me.

Offensive Guard: Alex Boone, Brandon Fusco, Mike Harris, Joe Berger, Jeremiah Sirles

Average Games Started: 39.4

Average Age: 27.6

Draft Need: Low

The guard position is stocked with experience, but is also one of the oldest position groups on offense. With the addition of Alex Boone, and the resigning of Mike Harris, this position is set for the short-term. But they will need to reload this position in a few years as Joe Berger is 33 and Alex Boone is already 28. Still for the 2016 Draft, I would be surprised to see them take a guard, unless a blue chip prospect falls in their laps.

Offensive Center: John Sullivan, Joe Berger, Zac Kerin, Nick Easton

Average Games Started: 36.8

Average Age: 27.5

Draft Need: Low

The center position is kind of like an amalgamation of the tackle and guard positions. Like guard, center is one of the most experienced and older units on offense. But like tackle, there are questions marks surrounding this group. Is John Sullivan's back healthy enough to withstand NFL punishment, and what do we have in Zac Kerin and Nick Easton, a pair of players with 0 combined NFL starts? If Sullivan isn't healthy we have Berger waiting in the wings, but this is another tenuous situation that could easily blow up in the Vikings faces if they don't start planning ahead sooner rather than later.

So overall, on offense my two biggest needs are wide receiver and to a lesser degree offensive tackle. I would not be surprised to see the team address depth at just about any other position though, and I could be talked into elevating the center position to a draft need. But for now, we'll move on to the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive End: Everson Griffen, Brian Robison, Danielle Hunter, Scott Crichton, Zach Moore, Justin Trattou, B.J. Dubose

Average Games Started: 17.3

Average Age: 25.9

Draft Need: Medium

Outside of Everson Griffen and Brian Robison, this is a group with three combined NFL starts and an average age of 24.1. In other words there is a ton of youth and inexperience behind our two established starters. Griffen is hitting his prime, but Robison is 32 years of age and has arguably already hit his decline. Hunter flashed a ton of potential last year and could very well push Robison for starting time this season, but there is a lack of proven depth behind those three players. Reliable pass rushers are always difficult to find, and the Vikings should be looking for one in just about every draft.

Defensive Tackle: Linval Joseph, Sharrif Floyd, Tom Johnson, Kenrick Ellis, Shamar Stephen, Isame Faciane, (Toby Johnson - PS Holdover)

Average Games Started: 19.3

Average Age: 26.5

Draft Need: Medium

Like defensive end, outside of a pair of proven starters in Linval Joseph and Sharrif Floyd, there is a combination of youth and inexperience. While Tom Johnson has flashed in a limited role, I was surprised to learn that he is already 31 years old and the options after those three fall off fast. In fact, when Linval Joseph missed time last year the defensive line was in shambles. The 2016 defensive tackle class in the draft is one of the strongest in recent memories, so this would be the perfect opportunity to shore up some depth.

Linebacker: Chad Greenway, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Emmanuel Lamur, Audi Cole, Travis Lewis, Edmond Robinson, Brandon Watts, Terrance Plummer, (Alex Singleton - PS Holdover)

Average Games Started: 22.2

Average Age: 25.4

Draft Need: Low

Many fans see linebacker as a pretty big draft need with Greenway in his final year and some unproven options after Barr and Kendricks. But I'm not convinced that's the case, because supposed backup linebackers Lamur, Cole, and Lewis have 26 combined NFL starts between them. Even Edmond Robinson has shown potential when given a chance. I would not be surprised to see the Vikings spend a draft pick on a linebacker, but I do not think this is a hugely pressing need for a team that spends the majority of the time in nickel formations with only two linebackers on the field. The Vikings have a great mix of experience and youth at the linebacker position.

Cornerback: Terence Newman, Xavier Rhodes, Captain Munnerlyn, Trae Waynes, Melvin White, Marcus Sherels, Jabari Price, John Lowdermilk

Average Games Started: 40.1

Average Age: 26.5

Draft Need: Low

At least for the 2016 season, the Vikings are set at cornerback with Rhodes and Munnerlyn in their prime years. But there are some question marks going forward. How many more years can we rely on Terence Newman who is already 37 years old? Probably none after this year. And can Trae Waynes develop into a long-term starter after showing flashes as a rookie? If Melvin White can rebound from his injury he could provide much needed depth, and Jabari Price has shown flashes as well. I would not be surprised to see the Vikings spend a draft pick on a cornerback, but I do not think it is high on the priority list seeing as how we burned a 1st round pick on Waynes last year.

Safety: Harrison Smith, Andrew Sendejo, Michael Griffin, Antone Exum, Anthony Harris

Average Games Started: 43

Average Age: 27

Draft Need: Medium

After the signing of Michael Griffin, safety is now the oldest and most experienced position group on the defensive side of the ball. But that's not necessarily a good thing. Harrison Smith is an exceptional talent, but Andrew Sendejo is prone to mistakes, and Grifin is coming off a string of down years with the Titans. Exum and Harris only have 4 combined NFL starts between them and Zimmer voiced his displeasure with the safety position this off-season. If Griffin can return to form he offers a fall-back option, but this is a position that the Vikings will surely address in the draft at some point.

To summarize, I feel like the Vikings need to address safety and to a lesser extent their defensive line depth both at tackle and end. Compared to the offensive side of the ball, their defense is much younger, and inexperienced. But with some very talented, young pieces in Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr, and Everson Griffen this is a defense that is also built for the future.

Overall, if I had to rank the Vikings roster needs in order, I would do it like this:

1. Wide Receiver

2. Safety

3. Defensive End - Depth

4. Defensive Tackle - Depth

5. Offensive Tackle - Depth

As I see it, in terms of finding an upgraded starter there are really only two glaring holes: wide receiver and safety. But based on age and experience, the Vikings will want to upgrade depth along their offensive and defensive lines as well. What do you all think? Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.