The Viking Age
FanSided

5 players Minnesota Vikings will miss most in 2020

By Nik Edlund

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 13: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings pumps up the crowd during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Eagles 38-20. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 13: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings pumps up the crowd during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Eagles 38-20. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Trae Waynes #26 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Trae Waynes #26 of the Minnesota Vikings (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Former Minnesota Vikings Player No. 1: CB Trae Waynes

Cornerback Trae Waynes became a full-time starter for the Vikings halfway through his second season. He has started 52 games for the team since then and has been a solid and steady piece of the Vikings secondary.

Waynes has great speed and rarely gets beat deep. At times, he was the Vikings’ best cover corner staying stride for stride with the man he was covering, shutting him down completely.

He finished his career in purple with 247 total tackles, one sack, seven interceptions and 42 pass breakups.

What the Vikings will miss most about Waynes this season is just his experience. He has been playing cornerback in head coach Mike Zimmer’s system for five years, and having him out there was almost like having another coach on the field. He was able to help young defenders like Holton Hill and Mike Hughes get lined up properly, and his presence on the field assured the coverage was always going to be right.

The Vikings don’t have that veteran leader this year, at least not one with the experience of Waynes. They’ll be rolling with a very young group of cornerbacks who could make boneheaded plays due to a lack of experience.

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