Will the Vikings’ offense be better or worse in 2019?
By Nik Edlund
More weapons to use
The Vikings already had some explosive weapons on offense. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are arguably the best wide receiving duo in the entire league. They also have one of the better tight ends in the NFL in Kyle Rudolph, as well as an explosive dual-threat back in Dalvin Cook.
We can’t forget to mention their quarterback Kirk Cousins, who despite playing in a one-dimensional attack with a very suspect line, was still able to throw for over 4,000 yards. There was plenty of talent there, to begin with, and the Vikings went and added even more.
The big boys obviously are the rookies. The Vikings surprisingly were able to add Irv Smith Jr. in round 2 of the 2019 Draft. He’s like a receiver at tight end who is especially dangerous after the catch. Lining him up opposite Kyle Rudolph will cause all kinds of headaches for opposing defenses.
The Vikings lost Latavius Murray to the New Orleans Saints in free agency but replaced him in the third round of this year’s draft with Boise State’s Alexander Mattison. Mattison is a bowling ball type of runner, who excels in the red zone and in short-yardage situations. It’s likely he finds the end zone a handful of times this season.
The Vikings also have some great competition at wide receiver behind Thielen and Diggs. Guys like Chad Beebe, Brandon Zylstra, Jeff Badet, Jordan Taylor, Dillon Mitchell, and Olabisi Johnson, will all be battling for what is likely going to be three spots.
This heated battle will make these guys push themselves to the limit, which will hopefully create a third wide receiver that the team can depend on, which was something they lacked a season ago.