5 second-year Vikings who could make a big jump in 2020

Oli Udoh – OT

The Vikings offensive line is going to be full of new faces during the upcoming season. The only returning starters who are guaranteed to be in the same position as they were a year ago are Garrett Bradbury and Brian O’Neill.

Every other position should be up for grabs and guys are going to have to work and fight to earn their jobs. That’s the way it should be and the competition should make everyone better. One of Minnesota’s second-year players who could be in the mix for a bigger role is Oli Udoh.

Udoh was a bit of a surprise sixth-round pick in last year’s NFL Draft. He came from a small school, Elon, and he was seen as a project. He lived up to that, as he was usually inactive for every game during his rookie season until the final contest of the year.

In the Vikings’ final game of the regular season against the Bears, Udoh was on the field for 31 snaps. He played with a lot of aggression and fire and there’s tape floating around the internet that shows him pancaking talented Chicago pass-rusher, Khalil Mack.

In his lone appearance last season, Udoh proved he belongs in the NFL.

Minnesota could potentially try Udoh out at guard in 2020. The team has mentioned that both starting guard spots will be decided with an open competition and Udoh has just a good a shot as anyone to earn one of these jobs for next season.

Whether he ends up at guard or stays at tackle, Udoh should see his snaps increase exponentially in his second year with the Vikings.

It also wouldn’t be shocking to see him surpass Rashod Hill as Minnesota’s primary backup at tackle, as long as he continues to develop and impress in the preseason.