It’s time for the Vikings to cut the Holton Hill experiment short

Holton Hill has endured a rough opening to the 2020 season with the Minnesota Vikings.

Things haven’t gotten off to the best of starts for Holton Hill and the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. The cornerback had a big opportunity in front of him this season after the Vikings decided to part ways with Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes, and Mackensie Alexander earlier this year. But it has been a baptism of fire for Hill in a prominent starting role for the first time.

Minnesota’s flaws in their secondary have been there for all to see over the first three weeks. It’s not like this was a complete surprise given the absence of preseason games and a brand-new group that boasts two rookies in the rotation. However, few would deny that much more was expected from Hill in terms of production.

If things continue as they are, then it won’t be long before the Hill experiment is cut short.

Can Holton Hill turn things around with the Minnesota Vikings?

The Vikings are 0-3 to start the season, which leaves their ambitions for a deep playoff run in tatters. Very few teams have managed to secure a postseason spot following such a rough start and it is going to take a huge turnaround in fortunes for Minnesota to buck the trend.

They did show some signs of life at home against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3 before eventually falling late on. Judging by the defensive frailties displayed so far, putting up 30 points in a defeat might be a sign of things to come for the Vikings if adjustments aren’t made.

Hill is just one of many players who have begun the season below-par for Minnesota. While some might get the benefit of the doubt due to their level of consistency in Mike Zimmer’s scheme over the years, the same doesn’t apply to the former Texas standout.

It’s easy to forget that he missed a large chunk of his sophomore campaign in 2019 due to multiple suspensions. Hill didn’t make much of an impression when he did return to the field and to say he has failed to deliver the goods so far this time around would be something of an understatement.

Hill has given up 14 receptions on 20 targets over three games this year, resulting in a lowly 39.9 grade from Pro Football Focus. The Vikings have no other choice other than to keep him in the lineup given the current injury concerns surrounding Mike Hughes and Cameron Dantzler. But another couple of poor results and it might result in some drastic changes on the backend.

This is not the opening to the season Hill wanted, which is the final year of his rookie deal. It already looks like it is going to take a monumental effort from the player to convince Minnesota’s decision-makers to bring him back for 2021 and even if he performs well from here on in, the damage could already be done.

It was a bold move from the Vikings to get rid of their starting cornerback trio during the offseason. Alexander was probably the only one they wanted back and few would argue he represents a significant upgrade over what Minnesota currently has.

There is no point in looking back on what might have been. The Vikings need to explore avenues that ensure this season doesn’t spiral into an unmitigated disaster and one such move they might consider is taking Hill out of a starting role once everyone returns to full health.