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Monday Morning Mailbag: Will Barr Start or Not, Peterson's Backup, and More

Do you have a comment or question? Send it to the vikings.com Mailbag! Every Monday we'll post several comments and/or questions as part of the vikings.com Monday Morning Mailbag feature. Although we can't post every comment or question, we will reply to every question submitted.

To submit a comment or question to the mailbag, send an email to Mike Wobschall at wobschallm@vikings.nfl.net. Remember to include your name and town on the email.

View some of the best offseason images of the Vikings wide receivers.

What do you think about trading for Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson? He has said that he wants out of Houston. I think he could be that final piece besides the quarterback that could complete the offense. -- James Westminster, MD

Adding a player of Johnson's caliber would improve any team's receiving corps, no question. That's why I don't believe Houston is apt to move him. He is likely a centerpiece of their efforts to turn things around in 2014, thus making him either A) an untouchable player to acquire via trade or B) too expensive to acquire via trade. Furthermore, I feel the Vikings offense already has the weapons in the passing game necessary to produce the yards and points it will need to contend in the NFC North and make noise in the playoffs.

What do you see Anthony Barr doing for the Vikings? Will he start, and will he be middle linebacker, outside linebacker or just a linebacker? -- Brandon (Third-year Vikings fans) Orlando, FL

Outside linebacker is what I expect heading into training camp, but don't be surprised to see the Vikings defensive coaching staff move Barr around quite a bit to take advantage of his athleticism and put him in position to make plays, whether it's as a pass-rushing defensive end in sub packages or in coverage to match up against many of the field-stretching tight ends that are becoming standard equipment in offenses.

Besides Adrian, who will see more playing time at running back: Matt Asiata or Jerick McKinnon? -- LaNeil W. Montgomery, WV

While I believe Asiata is more equipped at this moment to be the backup running back, it could be McKinnon who sees more of the field between these two because of his ability as a receiver and as a change-of-pace runner who can carry the ball outside or between the tackles. Joe Banyard and Dominique Williams are candidates for the backup running back job, as well, and I wouldn't rule out Zach Line as potentially making an impact for the Vikings this season.

I've haven't heard anything about Sharrif Floyd making the leap. He has a good shot at it because of Coach Zimmer. Do you think he will make the leap this season? -- Jerick B. Richmond, RI

There are a number of factors that lead me to believe Floyd will indeed take a huge step forward in his development. First, and perhaps most significantly, he is one more year matured both in terms of physical build and in experience. He entered the draft as an underclassman a year ago…playing in the trenches is tough in its own right, but much more difficult as an underclassman. Additionally, though, Floyd will also benefit from playing next to Linval Joseph, who projects to give the Vikings the kind of production out of the nose tackle spot the team hasn't seen since Pat Williams was in his best form. Lastly, Floyd looked more explosive and disruptive during the offseason program and I think that will continue into training camp and into the 2014 regular season.

Do you think the NFL will ever hold the draft in the city that won the previous Super Bowl? -- Dennis W. Woodbury, MN

Reports have surfaced this offseason suggesting the NFL may consider moving the draft around the country, much like it does Super Bowl host cities. My sense is the NFL will one day hold a draft somewhere other than New York City, perhaps as early as in 2015, but I'm not sure it would be exclusive to the Super Bowl-winning team's city. If the NFL does indeed move the draft to a location outside of New York, I believe the process will include a competitive bidding component, much like with other marquee events such as the Olympics and the Super Bowl.

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