The Vikings’ offense had a solid 2019 season, but it wasn’t enough to get over the hump against the 49ers in the playoffs.
Here are three players who need to step up in 2020 if the Vikings have a chance of making a run for a Super Bowl.
C, Garrett Bradbury
The 18th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft was somewhat of a disappointment as a rookie.
He finished with a Pro Football Focus grade of just 57.6, a mark that ranked 30th of 38 graded centers.
Given Bradbury’s work ethic, a natural progression should come in his second season. That could go a long way to improve the team’s offense now led by Gary Kubiak.
TE, Irv Smith Jr.
This isn’t a knock on the 2019 second-round pick at all. He was pretty solid as a rookie, finishing with 36 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns. I would expect Smith to get more reps as a pass catcher in his second season. There’s a good chance Smith replaces Kyle Rudolph as the team’s main pass-catching tight end.
WR, Chad Beebe
This spot could really go to any receiver with hopes of being WR3 on the depth chart behind Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
The team will surely sign a free agent and/or draft a receiver to compete for this spot as well.
Please not Laquon Treadwell.
For Beebe, he’s a player who has shown potential but hasn’t been able to stay healthy in his two-year career.
It will be a big year for Beebe, 25, financially, too. He’ll be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.