The 2018 season for the Minnesota Vikings did not pan out as expected. After reaching the conference championship the year before and then adding Kirk Cousins, expectations were sky-high. The Vikings finished the year 8-7-1 missing the playoffs. Although, there are exciting times ahead with the team making a couple of adjustments.
Offensive outlook:
Offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski has been promoted to replace John Defilippo after the Vikings finished in the lower half in total offense, this should make an already explosive offense into an even better one. As Stefanski was called upon in the last three games of the 2018 season, he helped lead the way to the most points the team had scored all year in the first of those three.
It should be noted that this is Stefanski’s first stint as an OC, so it will be interesting to see how he conducts the young talent on the roster. Namely running back Delvin Cook; coming off of another season-ending injury last season, it will be crucial to see how he looks in camp. Not only how his body is responding to workouts but how he communicates with his new offensive coordinator.
If Dalvin Cook goes down with another injury, the talent brought in will have to step up. The Vikings drafted Alexander Mattison from Boise State with the 102nd overall pick. Also, the Vikings brought in Ameer Abdullah from Detroit. Abdullah had a lot of buzz around his name coming out of Nebraska, but never found his role in Detroit, while his speed and burst looks impressive to this day. This is another situation to watch during camp, the backup to Cook will likely become the starter or possibly split the carries.
The Vikings running game ended 30th in the league last season, and they are looking to dramatically improve that position.
The receivers to go along with Kirk Cousins had a solid season in 2018. Wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen had an amazing run totaling 215 catches and 2394 yards between the two of them; while Kirk Cousins had his best season since 2015 with a 70.1 completion percentage.
Receiver Battle:
The real battle during camp will be for the number three receiver in Minnesota.
The Vikings drafted Dillon Mitchell and Bisi Johnson, also they acquired Jordan Taylor from the Denver Broncos during the offseason. So far, in OTAs, the reps are being split between Taylor and Chad Beebe, although there is a chance one of these rookies takes the coaching staff by surprise and earns himself a role in the offense.
Defensive outlook:
The defense dipped last season from the year before but still held strong. The Vikings bring back a good majority of their defenders; touting names like Shemar Stephen, Everson Griffen, Anthony Barr, Trae Waynes, Danielle Hunter, Xavier Rhodes, and Harrison Smith.
The defensive line for the Vikings is superb, but father time works against all who stand in the way. With the departure of Sheldon Richardson and Everson Griffen getting older, this will make the focal point for opposing teams to tame Danielle Hunter. This initially seems like there will be a lack of quarterback pressure this season, but there is a potential breakout looming on the depth chart.
Eyes should be on Hercules Mta’afa, who was a very productive linebacker in college. Hercules was undrafted but at the time expected to be taken in the mid-rounds. He missed all of last season with an ACL injury, and so far, he is raising eyebrows in camp. He could potentially play his way into a rotational role, changing his position to the 3-technique defensive tackle and making waves while doing so.
Head coach Mike Zimmer had an interview with “Voice of the Vikings” and spoke on Hercules being the surprise players in camp thus far.
“Players are talking about him. He’s up to 275 now. He can get out the chutes without raising at all, he’s been difficult to block. He’s very active.”
