Predicting the Minnesota Vikings record during the 2020 season

Projected Starting Lineup

Head Coach

• Mike Zimmer, seventh season with Vikings (57-38-1 in NFL)

After helping the Vikings return to the playoffs last season, Mike Zimmer earned himself a contract extension this year. Despite the vote of confidence that an extension indicates, the pressure will still be on Zimmer to lead Minnesota to the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since 2009.

Offense (2019 Rank: 8th)

• QB – Kirk Cousins
• RB – Dalvin Cook
• FB – C.J. Ham
• LT – Riley Reiff
• LG – Dakota Dozier
• C – Garrett Bradbury
• RG – Pat Elflein
• RT – Brian O’Neill
• TE – Kyle Rudolph
• WR – Adam Thielen
• WR – Bisi Johnson

Top Reserves

• RB – Alexander Mattison
• WR – Justin Jefferson (R)
• TE – Irv Smith Jr. 

Gary Kubiak is taking over the duties as the Vikings offensive coordinator season, but the team was essentially running his offense last year when he was an offensive advisor. A second season in the same scheme should result in good things for a Minnesota offense that is full of playmakers.

Defense (2019 Rank: 5th)

• DE – Danielle Hunter
• DT – Jaleel Johnson
• DT – Shamar Stephen
• DE – Yannick Ngakoue
• LB – Anthony Barr
• LB – Eric Kendricks
• LB – Eric Wilson
• CB – Holton Hill
• CB – Mike Hughes
• S – Anthony Harris
• S – Harrison Smith

Top Reserves

• DE – Ifeadi Odenigbo
• DT – Armon Watts
• CB – Jeff Gladney (R)
• CB – Cameron Dantzler (R)

With Danielle Hunter now out for at least the first three games of the year, the Vikings are going to open up their 2020 season against the Green Bay Packers with six new starters on defense. Even with the lack of starting experience, Minnesota’s defense still has the luxury of being led by one of the best defensive minds in football in head coach Mike Zimmer.

Special Teams

• K – Dan Bailey
• P – Britton Colquitt
• LS – Austin Cutting
• KR – K.J. Osborn (R)
• PR – K.J. Osborn (R)

The kicking combo of Dan Bailey, Britton Colquitt, and Austin Cutting proved to be a success in 2019 and the Vikings will be hoping for a similar outcome from the trio this season. Even with the lack of practice time this summer, Minnesota is deciding to give their return duties to a rookie receiver in K.J. Osborn. Will it backfire or will Osborn turn out to be the next great Vikings return-man?