Tag: Returning Snaps

In case you didn’t know, the Vikings are among the bottom half in the NFL for returning snaps

The Vikings are tied for the 22nd most returning snaps on their team for 2020, according to Over The Cap.

Minnesota saw a mass exodus this offseason, so it’s not much of a surprise that the Vikings aren’t returning a ton of snaps.

The Vikings rank tied for the 22nd most returning snaps on their team for 2020, according to Over The Cap. The offense isn’t too bad with 85.1% of the snaps from 2019 returning. However, just 61.7% of the snaps from defensive players are coming back.

The defense will have plenty of young talent vying for key spots. The Vikings lost two mainstay starters outside in cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes. The team also lost its nickel cornerback in Mackensie Alexander.

The Vikings defensive line will look different as well. Defensive end Everson Griffen voided his contract with the team. He has yet to sign with any other team, but he is currently not on Minnesota’s roster, either. Defensive tackle Linval Joseph signed with the Chargers this offseason.

The Vikings still return 72.9% of their total snaps. Those returning veterans will probably be needed more than in 2019, in order for the team to make the playoffs once again.

Falcons rank No. 22 in returning snaps from last season

The Atlanta Falcons are paying the price in 2020 for paying their talent in previous seasons.

The Atlanta Falcons are paying the price in 2020 for paying their talent in previous seasons.

After extending the contracts of Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Grady Jarrett and Deion Jones, the team is ranked near the bottom of the NFL in salary cap space. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff had to let go of the team’s leading rusher (Devonta Freeman), tackler (De’Vondre Campbell) and sack leader (Vic Beasley) from 2019 in order create space for the upcoming season.

While it was a necessary move, it was also a potentially costly one as Atlanta enters the year with significant roster turnover and no preseason to adjust.

According to Over The Cap, the team is in the bottom-third of the league in percentage of snaps returning from 2019. The Falcons return 72.9 percent of their overall snaps, which is puts them at No. 22 out of 32 teams. Atlanta returns 76.9 percent of its offensive snaps and 68.3 percent of the team’s defensive snaps from last year.

Head coach Dan Quinn could be in for a challenging year, but as I wrote a few months ago, Atlanta should benefit from the continuity of its coaching staff and having a veteran, proven quarterback at the helm.

Make no mistake, though, there are some legitimate question marks on the Falcons’ defense. The team’s young secondary — particularly A.J. Terrell, Isaiah Oliver and Kendall Sheffield — will have to grow up quick.

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