4 reasons why Minnesota Vikings could struggle in 2020

No Stefon Diggs

The Minnesota Vikings traded star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Buffalo Bills this offseason. While it always stings to lose a stud player and key part of the offense, the fact was he didn’t want to be in Minnesota anymore and the Vikings got more than a fair haul for him.

The Vikings drafted his replacement with the 22nd pick, which they received as part of the deal, as they took LSU’s Justin Jefferson. Jefferson is an impressive player with good size and speed, who is coming off a monster season with the Tigers.

While his numbers and measurable are impressive, it’s a tall task to ask a rookie to come in and instantly replace the production of Diggs. The latter was a huge part of the Vikings offense, and in his five-year career with the team, racked up 365 receptions for 4,623 yards and 30 touchdowns. He’s a big play waiting to happen and was often the spark the offense needed when it was having issues moving the ball.

With Diggs now in Buffalo, teams will now be able to double team fellow wide receiver Adam Thielen. If they shut him down, the Vikings passing attack could be a flaccid one.

While Jefferson is an exciting young player, if he can’t instantly come in and produce the way Diggs did, the Vikings offense could really struggle to move the ball through the air in 2020.