4 Vikings players set for a smaller role in the 2021 season

Kris Boyd – CB

Injuries made the Vikings secondary a mess last season, but Kris Boyd was up for the challenge. He started in five games for Minnesota and he had some bright moments on the outside as they did their best to make things work. Eventually, Cameron Dantzler emerged as the best outside corner on the team, but injuries slowed his season as well.

To fix that, the Vikings went out and signed Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland in free agency this year. These two veterans have the upper hand to start on the outside, while Dantzler gives them a good depth option behind them. That could leave Boyd, who has played in 26 games for Minnesota in two years, out of the mix.

Boyd should make the Vikings’ 2021 roster as the depth corner with experience on his side, but he will likely not be a key piece of the defense. He will probably be a special teams player, but don’t expect him to hit the field on defense unless things go south yet again. There are too many good cornerbacks on the roster right now to expect Boyd to get a steady amount of defensive snaps.

Dantzler, himself, might have a smaller role next season, but his progress in year one should entice the Minnesota coaching staff to get him out there more often. He proved he could start on the outside, and rotating him in with Breeland and Peterson might be the best move for his future. Although, he could also get playing time if one of the other guys plays in the slot.