The passing attack didn't quite pan out as the Vikings expected in 2015 after they added deep threat Mike Wallace in an offseason trade with the Dolphins and got a healthy Kyle Rudolph back in the offensive huddle.
That, of course, isn't all on the pass-catchers. Pass protection was poor and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was inconsistent at times. But needless to say, Wallace and fellow Week 1 starter Charles Johnson disappointed.
Wallace, who earned $9.9 million, had career lows with 39 catches, 473 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson, meanwhile, lost his job to surprising rookie Stefon Diggs and by season's end was a weekly healthy scratch.
Like Johnson, former first-round pick Cordarrelle Patterson was also a total non-factor for much of the season. Again displaying little attention to detail, he fell behind Jarius Wright and Adam Thielen on the depth chart.
At the tight end position, Rudolph was asked to block a little more often in 2015 than he had in recent seasons, which partially explained his modest production. He led the Vikings with five touchdowns, but the expectation was that he would contribute more than just 495 receiving yards.
Two of the biggest bright spots came from the draft class. Diggs burst onto the scene to lead the team with 52 catches and 720 yards. Fellow fifth-round pick MyCole Pruitt showed promise, too, from the tight end position.
Still, despite the addition of those two to the pass-catching corps, upgrading the wide receiver position should be one of the team's top two priorities this offseason, along with getting the offensive line straightened out.
Vikings free agents: Tight end Rhett Ellison is the only unrestricted free agent. The Vikings value his blocking and versatility, so he is a candidate to re-sign. Thielen will be retained as an exclusive rights free agent.
