The Vikings have many established veterans who will have to be big contributors in 2020, but what about the younger players who might need more time?
Sure, you may not see these Vikings players as game one starters in 2020, but these three options still have high ceilings.
They can develop into good players down the road. For some, the technique isn’t there. For others, they’ve been on the bench and now it’s their turn to shine.
Bleacher Report recently listed Alexander Mattison as Minnesota’s most-intriguing project player. Personally, I don’t think Mattison is a project, because he had over 400 rushing yards in limited reps his rookie season.
Here’s who I think might be good players for the Vikings in the near future:
Ezra Cleveland
Cleveland, drafted by the Vikings in the second round, has a chance to follow the trajectory that Brian O’Neill once did.
O’Neill was not a starter in the beginning of his career, but an injury at tackle led to him cracking the lineup. The rest is history. O’Neill not only proved to be a great replacement, but he ended up as one of Minnesota’s best offensive linemen on the roster.
Cleveland has trouble taking a proper angle on blocks in space at times. However, he has the potential to become a fundamentally sound tackle. He just needs some time.
Dru Samia
Samia is a project that could pay off as soon as 2020.
He played in two games last season, his rookie year, but did not start. Now that Josh Kline is gone, he has a chance to seize one of the starting guard spots.
Even if the Vikings decide to play Dakota Dozier at right guard, he could possibly take Pat Elflein’s position. Samia might not have been ready to start on the interior for Minnesota in 2019, but I think that could change this season if he takes a leap.
Cameron Dantzler
Dantzler is undersized, but there are some things about his game that stick out.
For one, he shut down No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow. The LSU quarterback had a grade of just 70.8 out of 100, per PFF, against Dantzler . He had 13 yards, 0 touchdowns and a passer rating of 57.3. That bodes well for the Vikings draftee, on account of Burrow’s college success and him going No. 1 overall.
He didn’t have a great combine, and he will have to add weight for the NFL. But Dantzler is a pick that could benefit the Vikings in future seasons. Who knows? Maybe even this season.
