Evaluating the Vikings 2020 offseason gambles at the bye

Entering the season with no safety depth

The Vikings took a major gamble when they announced their final 53 man depth chart. They only decided to keep two safeties on the active roster. Two. Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris were the only safeties listed with zero-depth behind them.

This is a gamble that hasn’t burnt the team yet but there was an instance of how bad things could get if one of these studs goes down. Harrison Smith was ejected from the Houston game after delivering a helmet to helmet hit on a Texans’ tight end. George Iloka stepped in to replace him and the Texans immediately began attacking him. Iloka looked lost and clueless in coverage and that was because he was, and ended up giving up two easy touchdowns to the Texans which allowed them to get back into the game.

If Smith or Harris gets hurt, this secondary is even more screwed than it already is. Not only will there be inexperience at the corner position but the safety spot will have a new face and that will result in even more yards given up through the air. It’s shocking the Vikings didn’t sign an experienced veteran to have as insurance, but they’ve made it through six games so far and truly believe they can keep that streak going.