5 breakout players for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018

The 2018 season didn’t go the way the Minnesota Vikings had envisioned.  Although they missed the playoffs, there were still some bright spots.

The Minnesota Vikings 2018 season ultimately was a disappointment. They were just one year removed from an NFC Championship berth, and expectations were sky high.

So when the Vikings went 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs, the team and fans alike were upset and let down. Even though this was a dark and dismal year, there were still bright spots for Minnesota.

Compiled below is a list of the five Vikings players who broke out during the 2018 season and proved to be bright shiny lights during a sad and forgettable 16 games.

5. Holton Hill – CB

There was a lot of buzz surrounding Hill when the Vikings signed the rookie after the draft. There was never any question about his talent, but he had a full body rash of red flags which caused him to not be taken in all seven rounds.

After a solid training camp and preseason, Hill made the Minnesota’s final 53-man roster. Once fellow rookie corner Mike Hughes tore his ACL in Week 6, Hill got the call.

He began appearing in games and he played pretty well. Then Xavier Rhodes got hurt, and Hill was thrust into a starting role. The young corner more than held his own.

His 6-foot-3, 200 pound frame matched up well against just about any receiver he was covering and he actually showed pretty solid technique. Hill did have some bumps along the way but he ended his rookie season with 36 tackles, one interception, and seven pass breakups.

Assuming the Vikings don’t shockingly trade Waynes or Rhodes, Hill will enter the 2019 season as the team’s fourth or fifth corner pending the health of Hughes.

He may be buried on the depth chart, but the team can look to his promising rookie campaign and know that they don’t have to worry too much if he’s called into action next season.