Minnesota Vikings: 5 players who could break out in 2020
By Chris Schad
Minnesota Vikings Breakout Candidate No. 4: Ifeadi Odenigbo
We go back to the defensive line for another breakout candidate, and it’s one that’s not a stretch. After years of impressing during the preseason but unable to crack the Vikings roster, Ifeadi Odenigbo did just that in 2019 and will look for another step forward this season.
As a depth piece on the Vikings defensive line, Odenigbo was able to help change things up for Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter and put up solid numbers. While his big number was seven sacks, his 6.2 pass-rusher productivity rating wasn’t outstanding, but he still logged 25 pressures per Pro Football Focus.
By comparison, Griffen posted 66 total pressures last season but played twice the amount of snaps Odenigbo saw.
If there’s one key to a breakout for the Northwestern product, it’s to make up for the projected loss of Griffen. While there’s a chance that Griffen could return to the Vikings if there are no suitors on the open market, Odenigbo should get a chance to start regardless and could be the next Vikings defensive lineman to break out on the edge.