3 Vikings players who could see a depth chart demotion soon
By Dean Jones
Rashod Hill – OL
This should happen pretty soon.
If it hasn’t already.
The Minnesota Vikings now have Christian Darrisaw at almost 100 percent fitness, so it would be a massive shock if the first-round pick didn’t pick up some meaningful reps in the not-too-distant future after being on the field for 27 snaps against the Detroit Lions.
Darrisaw’s return to health probably spells the end of Rashod Hill‘s time as a starter. And nobody associated with the Vikings will be unhappy with that besides the player himself.
The veteran’s production in 2021 just hasn’t been up to the required standard. It’s that simple.
Hill’s given up three sacks and conceded four penalties from 325 snaps on his way to a dismal 39.9 grade from Pro Football Focus, which is a damning indictment of how he’s performed in Darrisaw’s absence.
The Vikings didn’t draft Darrisaw in the first round for him to sit on the sidelines. They wanted a long-term replacement for Riley Reiff, and now that the player has some experience under his belt, Minnesota should throw him in at the deep end and see how he gets on.
There is a problem here, however.
Darrisaw’s first start could be against the Carolina Panthers and their dominant defensive front led by the exceptional pass-rushing tandem of Haason Reddick and Brian Burns.