The Minnesota Vikings have certain positions groups that could surprise fans and actually be an improvement from 2019.
The Vikings have made many changes to their roster over the course of the offseason. They traded away Stefon Diggs and let some key free agents find work elsewhere. They added a bunch of young talent through the draft, bringing in 15 new players. They also added 10 more after the draft concluded, and are chock full of youth at many positions.
This is a big reason why many are skeptical of the 2020 Vikings and their chances of success. They feel they are taking risks at certain positions, by forcing young players into starting roles who may not be ready for it. Not only are there plenty of young players as starters, but there are also inexperienced players who are in key backup roles on positions across the team.
While the Vikings are taking a risk and baking on these unproven players, there are certain areas on the team where the Vikings could actually be better than they were a season ago. Here are four positions that fit those criteria.
Cornerbacks
The Vikings cornerback group took a major hit in the 2020 offseason. First, the team cut Xavier Rhodes and then lost both Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander in free agency. While it can be argued that Rhodes’s departure was addition by subtraction, losing three veteran leaders was definitely a blow to this position, that wasn’t all that great in 2019, to begin with.
These losses thrust young Mike Hughes and Holton Hill into starting roles. Jeff Gladney was taken in the first round to compete to start or be the nickel, and second-year man, Kris Boyd, and another rookie, Cameron Dantzler round out the depth.
While this group is young and lacks experience, they also have plenty of positives going for them. First of all, is that youth. Sure, they won’t be as quick to diagnose plays as the grizzled veterans, but they are chock full of energy and driven to establish themselves as quality NFL players. They also won’t be stuck in bad habits. Xavier Rhodes was a mess towards the end of his run and kept repeating the same mistakes. These young players are raw pieces that the coaches can mold to their liking.
These young players also have different skill sets. Mike Hughes and Jeff Gladney are aggressive corners who, despite lacking ideal size. are excellent at making plays on the ball when it’s in the air. Dantzler is sticky in coverage and both he and Hill have the size to match up with bigger receivers.
This group will no doubt suffer some growing pains, but have the talent and desire to jell together and potentially be a stronger unit than the Vikings fielded a season ago.
Wide Receivers
The Vikings traded away Stefon Diggs and that definitely hurt the overall talent on their receivers’ depth chart. Diggs was a big play waiting to happen and one of the best route runners in the league. While his departure leaves a hole at the top, the overall talent in this unit is vastly improved from what it was a season ago.
The Vikings are replacing Diggs with first-round pick, Justin Jefferson. While it will be hard for Jefferson to put up Diggs’ numbers, he’s already turning heads in camp and should at least numb the pain of losing a star like Diggs and return some of that production they’ll be losing.
The Vikings still have Adam Thielen, who is coming back healthy after getting hurt in 2019. He’ll no doubt be the leader of this group and put up the best numbers. Second-year receiver Bisi Johnson should also be even better this season, and the team brought in veteran Tajae Sharpe to compete for a spot. In addition to those guys, there are rookies like K.J. Osborn and undrafted Quartney Davis who should also be in the mix for a roster spot.
While losing Diggs hurt, the overall depth and talent in the Vikings receiving corps are much better. Players will be competing hard to make the team and that should bring the best out of everyone and improve the strength of this group.
Defensive End
The Minnesota Vikings were once expected to resign Everson Griffen but with him recently landing with the Dallas Cowboys, that isn’t going to happen. The team will now have Ifeadi Odenigbo as the starting right end and the great Danielle Hunter on the left side. While losing an all-time great like Griffen hurts, there is the potential that this group could be even better than a season ago.
First of all, the starters shouldn’t miss a beat. Hunter is coming off back-to-back 14.5 sack seasons and is easily one of the best ends in the game. He’s still only 25 years old and just hitting his prime. Odenigbo exploded a season ago with seven sacks. With the energy and enthusiasm he plays with, there’s no doubt he’ll exceed those numbers in 2020.
Losing Griffen does hurt the depth and while the Vikings’ backups at defensive end do lack experience, they are all very hungry to prove themselves. There are two journeymen veterans who will be looking to show they can still play in the league, and then a couple of rookies who will be battling them for a spot on the depth chart. Defensive coordinator Andre Patterson saw something in D.J. Wonnum and made drafting him a priority. He will be used in certain situations and sub-packages and could make more of an impact this year than many anticipate. Kenny Willekes lacks elite athletic traits, but is pure motivation and will work harder than anyone to earn a roster spot.
The talent at defensive end definitely took a hit by losing Griffen, but youth and competition could make this an even better group this season.
Offensive Line
The Vikings offensive line was a much-maligned unit a season ago and took plenty of criticism that was well deserved. The strongest part of the group was the offensive tackles but the interior really struggled.
Many expect the interior to be worse, as the center and left guard will both be the same. The team cut their best guard in the offseason by letting Josh Kline go, so now the starter will be an underwhelming veteran in Dakota Dozier or an unproven second-year player in Dru Samia. While at first glance this unit looks like it’ll be much worse, they could surprise and actually be much better in 2020.
With both tackles returning that results in a push from a season ago. Brian O’Neill is one of the best right tackles in the game, and Riley Reiff is still a serviceable option at left tackle. At center, Garrett Bradbury returns, but he should be much improved this upcoming season. Bradbury has reportedly been hitting the weights hard this offseason trying to improve his overall strength. Anchoring and fending off those behemoth nose tackles, was his biggest issue last season, and if this newfound dedication to the weight room pays off, he’ll be better in this area.
The guard position will be the biggest area of concern here. Elflein is likely back as a starter and while he’s been horrible lately, he likely won’t be any worse than he was a season ago, so that’s a push. Dru Samia could take over at right guard and while he’s an unknown at this point he could play at least as well as Kline did a season ago.
With three positions and potentially four staying the same in quality from a season ago, and Bradbury being better after improving his strength, this unit could surprise and be an improvement from what it was in 2019.