The Vikings have lost a lot of talent this offseason, which means players from 2019-20 who didn’t play as much might have to step into bigger roles.
Everson Griffen reportedly announced on Instagram he was leaving. Both starting corners from last season reportedly signed elsewhere. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs was also reportedly traded to the Bills.
Sure the team has 12 draft picks and the rest of free agency to try and fill those holes, but some of the starters who left could be replaced by backups if those backups are good enough.
Here are some of the reserves who might be receiving more playing time next season:
Defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo
With Griffen reportedly leaving, filling a void at defensive end becomes crucial. Danielle Hunter is coming off a season in which he had 14.5 sacks, much thanks to Griffen, who kept opposing offensive lines from honing in on Hunter.
Griffen had eight sacks, and the team also reportedly loses Stephen Weatherly, who had three. That’s a lot of production to replace. Maybe the Vikings go to the draft to find an edge rusher, but Odenigbo might be able to step up into a bigger role.
Either way, Odenigbo will receive more playing time now that Weatherly is gone, and the Vikings might just find out that he’s ready to start.
Cornerback Mike Hughes
Hughes played a lot these past two seasons he’s been in the NFL. He’s also been good when he’s been on the field.
For Hughes, it’s not a question of whether he can play; it’s whether he can stay healthy.
He suffered a neck injury recently. Before that injury, he tore his ACL.
In his early NFL career, Hughes has proved that he can be serviceable at cornerback, and if he stays healthy the sky is the limit. Here’s to hoping he does.
I also wrote about how Holton Hill can step up in 2020-21.
Guard Dru Samia
With the Vikings terminating Josh Kline’s contract this offseason, the guard position now has some question marks surrounding it.
The Vikings could move Riley Reiff to guard, or the team could draft a player. However, in the last NFL Draft, the Vikings took a guard and played him sparingly in 2019-20.
Samia was drafted after playing well for the Oklahoma Sooners. He played in just two regular season games — against the Giants and against the Bears. There’s a possibility that now he could be vying for a starting spot, due to a lack of depth at guard.
If Samia performs well in a bigger role, he would be a fine starter. He has good size, and maybe the Vikings can develop him into a talented NFL player.
