Minnesota Vikings: 10 easy predictions for 2019 to set expectations
By Tim Arcand
The Vikings pass defense will struggle early
In 2018 the Minnesota Vikings defensive secondary appeared to be an area from strength. While, as pointed out in the previous slide, Xavier Rhodes‘ performance dipped, Trae Waynes play was improving and rookie first-round draft pick Mike Hughes was the real deal.
In Week 1, Hughes returned his first career interception for a touchdown against the 49ers. By Week 4, Hughes started his first game of the season against the Rams. Unfortunately for the Vikings, Hughes suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-October.
Rookie free agent Holton Hill from Texas not only made the roster but wound up stepping and making an impact following Hughes’ injury and started three games in the second half of the season. In some perhaps not-so-surprising news, the NFL suspended Hill for the first four games of the 2019 season for using performance-enhancing drugs. This is a player who also failed a drug test at the NFL combine.
If this unit could stay together it could be formidable against opposing quarterbacks—that’s a big if.
Without Hughes and Hill to open the season along with the departure of veteran backup cornerback Marcus Sherels, and the scrutiny on Rhodes the defensive backfield will need someone to step up and raise the level of play.
A quick scan of the Vikings’ current roster on Vikings.com doesn’t provide much in the way of warm fuzzies. If the season were to open today, the Minnesota Vikings would be relying on three-veteran Mackensie Alexander along with a couple of AAF refugees Jordan Martin and Duke Thomas to backup Rhodes and Waynes.