Minnesota Vikings Roster 2019 Vikings Roster

Top 3 Vikings Roster Questions of 2019-2020

What is the running back situation beyond Dalvin Cook?

In his first two seasons, Cook has missed a combined total of 17 games. His injury history has to be concerning for the Vikings. Perhaps that’s why they drafted Alexander Mattison in the third round. The Boise State product possesses an intriguing skillset. He excels running down hill, and he’s equally capable as a pass catcher. He shouldn’t displace Cook by any means, but he should more than fill the void left by Latavius Murray’s departure.

Just how good can this defense be?

Even with Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Anthony Barr, and Xavier Rhodes all missing time last year, the Vikings had one of the most formidable defensive units in the league. They ranked ninth in points allowed, fourth in yards allowed, and third in sacks. The only area where they didn’t excel was interceptions, ranking in the lower half of the league in that category. A bounce back year from Rhodes could change that, making the Vikings nearly flawless on the less glamorous side of the field. But health in the NFL is famously precarious. All teams, not just the Vikings, were banged up last year. Griffen, Joseph, Barr, Rhodes, and others could all easily miss time again, so to expect any more from the defense than what they showed last year would be unfair. Even so, last year’s numbers are quite the baseline.

Do the Vikings have the necessary depth at wide receiver?

Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen form perhaps the best wide receiver duo in the entire league. Diggs, in just 14 games, put up 102 receptions for 1021 yards and nine touchdowns. His partner in crime, Thielen, was equally impressive, recording 113 catches for 1373 yards and nine touchdowns in the full 16 games. Both are among the league’s best at contested catches, giving Cousins the luxury to be less precise than he ordinarily would be with his throws. Both are also exceptional route runners, able to create separation routinely against the opposition’s best cornerbacks. However, beyond those two known commodities, there are plenty of questions. Former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell has failed to impress in his three seasons with the team, as evidenced by his 517 career yards and one career touchdown. He simply hasn’t proven to be the answer as the third wide receiver. Perhaps the answer will instead by undrafted second-year man Chad Beebe. The diminutive receiver from Northern Illinois played in three games for the Vikings last year after he surprisingly made the practice squad in his first camp. Another option could be Jordan Taylor, formerly of the Denver Broncos. He didn’t play last year, but his two career touchdowns still beat Treadwell’s one. Finally, the team took two receivers in the seventh round that could challenge for roster spot. No matter who makes the team and who earns that WR3 designation, the Vikings do not appear to be flush in receiver depth at the moment.