The Minnesota Vikings feel they are ready to remain in contention despite trading Percy Harvin in the offseason and one reason is due to their success in the NFL draft with three first round picks, one of those being Sharrif Floyd.
According to Pro Football Talk, Floyd is starting his career backing up Kevin Williams rather than playing next to him, but that could change as training camp approaches. Williams is set to be a free agent in 2013 and while Floyd is the tackle of the future, right now he is behind the veteran on the depth chart and it remains to be seen how coach Leslie Frazier will use him.
Frazier hasn't been afraid to play young players and Floyd likely will challenge for a starting job right away despite playing behind Williams to start. The team may use Letroy Guion and Fred Evans while Floyd gets used to the NFL and while he was a first round pick, the team feels comfortable letting him learn a bit.
The Vikings have big questions after this season with Jared Allen being a free agent, so caution might be a good idea here. Adrian Peterson is ready for another excellent season and the Vikings could make it two years in a row in the playoffs.
"I don't foresee such a dropoff with Letroy or Fred for that to happen," Frazier said, via Ben Goessling of the Pioneer Press. "That would be optimal if [Floyd's] able to get in the rotation, have success, and we can gradually add more to his plate as the season goes on."
