5 most underhyped Vikings heading into the 2020 season

Brian O’Neill – OT

Brian O’Neill has been the Vikings’ best offensive lineman for over a year now. It didn’t take him long to earn that title after starting as a rookie. O’Neill has a rare combination of strength and athletic ability and uses that to lock down the right side of the Vikings’ offensive line, keeping Kirk Cousins safe.

He is a great run blocker who can dominate his man at the point of attack and also get to the second level, making key blocks that add yardage to runs. O’Neill is also very good in pass protection and rarely allows a sack. In fact, he only allowed one sack all season long in 2019.

As good as O’Neill has been, he still doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He hasn’t just been the Vikings’ best offensive lineman but is one of the best right tackles in the entire league. This season he’ll be going into his third year and that is when most players begin to hit their prime. He’ll be in the second year in this zone blocking scheme and could be sitting on his best season yet.

O’Neill could very well stake claim to the best right tackle in the NFL this year, but all we are hearing about is Ezra Cleveland and whether or not he can supplant Riley Reiff on the left side of the line. O’Neill is used to being overlooked and when the season starts, his play will be enough to put the spotlight back on him where it belongs