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Partly necessity and partial choice, the Vikings have decided to modify their roster a little during the 2020 offseason.
Minnesota has seen massive free agency departures. The team traded their main 2019 receiver Stefon Diggs to the Bills. The Vikings replaced veterans with rookies, while blocking players like Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook for more years.
In 2020, this experiment did not work. The Vikings finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs. However, all is not bad. Minnesota have drafted promising rookies and have obvious fixes for 2021.
So let’s be positive. Here are a few reasons why Vikings fans can be happy:
Diggs trade worked
Photo: Brad Rempel / USA TODAY Sports
Stefon Diggs has been great for the Bills. I think Buffalo got everything he wanted from Diggs. He may have even exceeded expectations.
That said, the Vikings used one of the Diggs’ acquired draft picks to take on Jefferson. In case you didn’t know, Jefferson got off to a great start in the NFL.
Overall, it worked for both teams.
CB Cameron Dantzler was an excellent draft pick
Photo: AP Photo / David Berding
Dantzler, who was caught in the third round, could be the best rookie cornerback.
He was named to the 2020 PFF NFL rookie squad after a year of recording two interceptions, four assists defended and a breakaway recovery in 11 games.
The defensive line is ready to improve
Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports
Sure, the Vikings’ pass rush was pretty bad last season, but Danielle Hunter’s return should fix some of those issues. DE DJ Wonnum also has a chance to make great strides.
Michael Pierce has opted out this season, but his return to an NFL field should help the running game. Add to that the fact that this team could improve three-way technique through the draft, and the defensive line looks better. It’s also possible that the Vikings will add another defensive end – in the draft or free agency – to play against Hunter.
He’s not a defensive lineman, but linebacker Anthony Barr could help as well. He’s not going to post high sack totals, but Barr calls attention to the blitz. This should make it harder to target players like Wonnum and Hunter on the defensive line.
The offensive line is not that far from decent
Photo: Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports
Brian O’Neill and Riley Reiff both come from good seasons. O’Neill was a little worse than he usually is when Reiff looked like he was having a 2020 resurgence.
Garrett Bradbury has improved a lot from his rookie season. Ezra Cleveland showed flashes of promise to the right guard. If Minnesota can hang on to Reiff in the offseason and add a usable left guard, I don’t think this offensive lineman is anything but decent.
With the way the list is built, the Vikings must be promising
Photo: Bruce Kluckhohn / USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota is locked into players like Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook at the moment. Mike Zimmer is not a freshman coach. In 2021, Rick Spielman will begin his 10th season as general manager of the Vikings.
This team has a narrow window. I wouldn’t expect them to try to rebuild themselves in 2021. That means Vikings fans will at least be able to see their team advance to the playoffs and the deep playoffs. Fans will have to be patient to see if this comes to fruition.
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