Which member of the 2016 Minnesota Vikings is ready to take the next step and become a star in the NFL? A panel of ESPN beat writers gave their opinions.
Choosing which player from the Minnesota Vikings will be the next to break out is hard. With so much youth and athleticism across the roster, there are many guys who have the potential to be the next big thing.
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While each of these players are working hard to be the bet they can be, the beat writers over on ESPN.com decided to name one player who they felt were on the verge of becoming the next star in the NFL. And the results were interesting.
Minnesota Vikings beat writer Ben Goessling stated that defensive end Danielle Hunter was the most likely to break out in 2016. After a solid rookie outing that proved him to be much more than a project player, Hunter could be a real threat to the playing time of Brian Robison this year.
Here is what Goessling said about Hunter in the ESPN article:
"“The Vikings took him in the third round a year ago, convinced that they could clean up his pass-rushing technique. He had six sacks as a rookie, and he should play more in his second season. He’s 6-foot-5, ran a 4.57-second 40 coming out of college and is spending part of his offseason working out with Peterson at his gym in Houston. Lining up across from Everson Griffen, Hunter could turn into a terror for opposing offenses.”"
Interestingly enough, Goessling wasn’t the only beat writer to choose a player from the Minnesota Vikings roster. Chicago Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson decided to pick a player from the purple and gold as well, deciding on wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
"“Diggs is the No. 1 target in the Vikings’ passing attack. After catching 52 passes for 720 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, Diggs is poised for a breakout year in 2016. With so much focus on Adrian Peterson, Diggs should emerge as Minnesota’s second-most productive offensive weapon and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s go-to guy in passing situations. Diggs was a 2015 fifth-round draft pick, so there is no way he becomes complacent. He wants to someday sign a lucrative extension in Minnesota, and to accomplish that goal he has to produce.”"
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It’s great to see the team getting some love from the Chicago Bears reporter, but who do you feel is the next member of the Minnesota Vikings to become a star for the team? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.