Minnesota Vikings Roster 2019 Vikings Roster

Top 3 Vikings Roster Questions of 2019-2020

What can Kirk Cousins do in Year 2?

With year after playing with the Vikings offense under his belt, Cousins should undoubtedly be a better player. He knows the offense and what has to be better in order for the team to win. While his stats were great last year, that didn’t help the ultimate goal of Minnesota. The 70.1 completion percentage and 30 TDs were career bests and the interceptions were fairly low at just 10. However, stats don’t always correlate to wins and that’s exactly what happened last year. 

This year, it’ll be interesting to see what Cousins has in store for the Vikings. While he played well individually, the team wasn’t that successful. He’ll now have to rely heavily on the duo of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen to be great again and trust having the ball in Dalvin Cook’s hands. Expect a similar season from Cousins who has great targets around him and will look to use them to exploit defenses once again. 

What does great depth at RB mean?

Dalvin Cook has been the lead back for the Vikings ever since he was drafted in the 2nd Round of the 2014 Draft but has yet to see much action. In two seasons, Cook has only been active for 15 games. That’s surely some concern for the Vikings who are counting on their young star to finally produce a fully healthy season and become their next big playmaker at the running back spot. Now, enter Ameer Abdullah after he played against them for Detroit over the past few seasons. 

Abdullah should be the clear #2 back in the backfield for Minnesota as they hope to give Cook some time off and rest him enough that he’ll be healthy for a full season. He gives an experienced back who’s capable of providing good minutes and going for 4-500 yards as a backup. Don’t count out rookie Alexander Mattison who should also receive a chance to get some carries in his first year. If Cook struggles, this might eventually become a running back by committee type of approach which will certainly help in keeping everyone’s legs fresh. 

Who’s Cousins’ third WR target?

Throughout training camp, the Vikings’ top two wide receiver spots have been basically set in stone. Stefon Diggs is clearly the best threat down the sideline and looks to make great plays once again this year. Adam Thielen broke out a few years ago and hasn’t looked back since. His great catching ability and presence in the red zone have made him one of the best slot receivers in the game. The two of them for possibly the best 1-2 punch at the WR spot but the third receiver in the group has yet to be determined. 

So far, it appears that the two front runners are Jordan Taylor and Chad Beebe. Taylor, a former Bronco, served mainly as a reserve in his career but has the ability to be a fairly productive starter. He knows the system after playing with Assistant Head Coach Gary Kubiak in Denver and can also provide value on special teams. Meanwhile, Beebe lacks experience but has the highest ceiling of the pair. He’s already earned high praise from Thielen and similarly offers experience at the special teams spot. While it’s still too early to call who’s the WR3 on the Vikings, whoever gets that spot figures to get a bunch of open looks and has a chance to be a great asset for Minnesota.