Who will the Vikings replace Marcus Sherels with in 2019?
By Adam Patrick
Current Roster Options
Mike Hughes – CB
Coming off an ACL tear, it’s unclear how much of a workload the Vikings will want Hughes to have in 2019. But it may be hard for them to resist his impressive abilities as a returner in addition to his skills as a corner.
Hughes actually lined up as Minnesota’s punt returner during two of their games last season and he was exceptional in the role during his junior year at UCF in 2017. During that season, he averaged 16.6 yards on 14 returns and he ran back one for a touchdown.
Chad Beebe – WR
For Beebe, becoming the team’s new punt returner may be a good way to ensure he secures a spot on the Vikings’ final roster for 2019. He did return punts during his time in college at Northern Illinois, so he does have experience in the role.
Beebe will definitely have to take advantage of any return opportunities he gets in training camp or the preseason this year if he wants to land Sherels’ old job in Minnesota.
Ameer Abdullah – RB
Abdullah already figured to be in the running to be the Vikings’ kick returner in 2019. But with Minnesota now in need of a new punt returner, he could fill this role for them too.
He hasn’t returned any punts since he entered the NFL in 2015, however, he did have 31 punt returns back during his college days at Nebraska. So he may be a little rusty, but returning punts is definitely something Abdullah is capable of.