5 Vikings players who could have bigger roles in 2020

Dru Samia – G

Pat Elflein’s struggles in 2019 are well documented. He had games where he was flat out awful and was getting blown by in the passing game and then demolished in the running game. He also was the culprit for at least one drive destroying holding call per game.

The Vikings never really attempted to threaten Elflein’s poor play by replacing him in the lineup, but maybe that’ll change in 2020.

Dru Samia was a fourth-round pick of Minnesota in 2019. He generated a ton of buzz in training camp with his massive size, specifically his broad torso. Many figured he’d push Josh Kline or Elflein for playing time as a rookie, but as the preseason unfolded, it was clear this guy was too far behind on the depth chart.

Samia did get some playing time in the Vikings’ regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears. In that game, he played quite well and he was able to create plenty of gaping holes in the running game for Mike Boone to trot through. Watching him in that game against the Bears starters, showed why Minnesota felt the need to invest a high Day 3 pick on him.

If Samia can put together a solid 2020 preseason and impress in the Vikings’ minicamps, he could begin to push Elflein for his job. Worst case scenario, he should at least jump up the depth chart into a backup role, and see himself in many more games during his sophomore season.