Vikings Depth Chart 2020 - Updated

[Danchat]

Update: 9-6-20:



*All ratings are based off PFF's grades from primarily 2019 and a bit from past seasons. 

This depth chart will be updated throughout the 2020 season for transactions and PFF score changes. Comments are welcome!

Some thoughts to spark some discussions:

Would it be worth giving Anthony Harris a $13M+ a year deal to return as the safety next to Harrison Smith? He had a phenomenal year, but with the way the Vikings have been able to develop safeties, perhaps going the cheaper route would be more beneficial for the roster. It's worth noting that Harrison is starting to age, and it's certainly possible 2020 will be his last season in Minnesota, so perhaps locking up Harris for down the road would be wise.

I would be tempted to blow up the CB spot - say bye to Rhodes and Waynes, see if you can stamp out an extension with Alexander, and look to FA for CBs to complement Hughes and Hill. 

As for the D-line, do you buy into Odenigbo's breakout season? Last year we thought Weatherly was having a breakout, but he responded with a rather poor 2019 season. I would think they would certainly need to add another rotational DE. 

Which Vikings might be trade-able, or would you be willing to trade? If the Vikings are looking to move on from Reiff, methinks they could get a decent draft pick for him since even middle-of-the-road LTs are scarce these days. I would also like to move Barr, we're a year early on that based on the way his new deal is structured.

Any thoughts?

[Funkytown]

The roster is still really solid!

...I feel better now. Thanks!

[NoresemanSam]

I had the same reaction as Funkytown. We "know" that Harris will be back at the other starting Safety. I'm guessing with Griff out, we have enough cap space to sign rookies, kickers and cheap depth. Granted, it's just our starting point, but it doesn't suck.

[Danchat]

Jan 16, 2020 21:03:24 GMT -6 NoresemanSam said:

I had the same reaction as Funkytown . We "know" that Harris will be back at the other starting Safety. I'm guessing with Griff out, we have enough cap space to sign rookies, kickers and cheap depth. Granted, it's just our starting point, but it doesn't suck.

They're definitely going to be making moves to open up cap room and sign a few decent free agents. If anyone is expecting the Vikings to trot the same roster out there, I highly doubt that's going to be the case. 

[IAVike]

Jan 16, 2020 21:33:07 GMT -6 Danchat said:

Jan 16, 2020 21:03:24 GMT -6 NoresemanSam said:

I had the same reaction as Funkytown . We "know" that Harris will be back at the other starting Safety. I'm guessing with Griff out, we have enough cap space to sign rookies, kickers and cheap depth. Granted, it's just our starting point, but it doesn't suck.

They're definitely going to be making moves to open up cap room and sign a few decent free agents. If anyone is expecting the Vikings to trot the same roster out there, I highly doubt that's going to be the case. 

The current defensive roster hasn't worked the past few years so change it up a bit. If we can get the defense to a 18-20 point defense again. They can make a legit run

[Funkytown]

The Vikings in 2020: Who's back, and who's gone? by Ben Goessling

Sean Mannion: In

Mannion, like Trevor Siemian a year before him, is headed for free agency after one season as Cousins’ backup. But the Vikings liked what he brought to their QB room, and if the price is right, they could keep him as part of their bid for continuity.

Stefon Diggs, WR: In

While our prediction — for now — is that Diggs returns in 2020, it’s worth keeping an eye on his status through the offseason. The Vikings will say everything’s fine with Diggs now, but his discontentment with the direction of the offense was an open secret around the team as far back as last spring. With the Vikings keeping the same scheme, will they look to trade Diggs? Stay tuned.

David Morgan, TE: Out

Morgan’s knee injury cost him all of the 2019 season, and the Vikings felt his absence as a blocker. But he’s headed into free agency, and unless the team sees enough value to make a gamble on his health worthwhile, Morgan could be moving on.

Riley Reiff, T: Out

The Vikings have a big decision to make with their left tackle, who might be better served at a different position as he heads toward age 32: He’s due to make $10.9 million in 2020, and another attempt at an offensive line overhaul might lead the Vikings to look for another left tackle while recouping $8.8 million in cap space by cutting Reiff.

Pat Elflein, G: Out

Elflein struggled in his first season at left guard, and he’s headed into the final year of his rookie contract. The Vikings could look to upgrade at Elflein’s spot, and he might want to start somewhere else (possibly as a center) rather than trying to battle for a role with the Vikings.

Rashod Hill, T: Out

He’s a valuable swing tackle, but he’s also heading into free agency, where he might find enough of a market to price him out of the Vikings’ plans. If Hill leaves, replacing him will be an important (if not oft-discussed) item on the offseason to-do list.

Dru Samia, G: In

The Vikings are high on the 2019 fourth-round pick, who has shown a nasty edge in practice and could get a chance to push for a bigger role in 2020.

Dakota Dozier, G: Out

Retaining the veteran could be tricky as he heads into free agency. He’s another versatile veteran who stepped in to start four games when injuries affected the Vikings’ line in 2019; the Vikings will likely have interest in bringing him back, but Dozier might price himself out of the picture for a team that could be tight on cap space.

Everson Griffen, DE: Out

Griffen can void the final three years of his deal next month, and whether he’s back could depend on whether he wants to test the open market after an impressive season, or whether he’s willing to accept another discount from the team, especially with Ifeadi Odenigbo and Stephen Weatherly taking on larger roles this season.

Linval Joseph, DT: In

Joseph, who had knee surgery in November, is due to make $11.15 million in 2020 and could be asked to take a pay cut before he turns 32 in October. He’s another player whose future in Minnesota could hinge on his willingness to accept less money.

Eric Wilson, OLB: In

Wilson will be a free agent in March, but the Vikings could bring him back on a new deal to be their third linebacker. He posted three sacks and a fumble recovery in 2019 after stepping into the lineup for Ben Gedeon.

Ben Gedeon, ILB: Out

Concussions ended Gedeon’s season and put his status for the final year of his rookie contract in some doubt. He’s set to make $735,000, but he’d have to return and compete with Wilson, who has been better in pass coverage and might make his case as a more complete player.

Xavier Rhodes, CB: Out

Set to turn 30 before next season, Rhodes might benefit from a fresh start as much as anyone on the roster; he’s due to make $9.9 million in 2020, but given that the Vikings can save $8.1 million by releasing him, they could turn Rhodes loose before the start of free agency.

Trae Waynes, CB: Out

Of the Vikings’ three free-agent cornerbacks, Waynes might be the most likely to return. He’s also the most likely to command a big deal in free agency, as a 27-year-old corner who has started for three seasons in one of the league’s best defenses. His athletic ability might entice another team to give him the kind of contract that prices him out of the Vikings’ market.

Mackensie Alexander, CB: Out

Sources have said Alexander is looking forward to testing the open market, and his knee injury at the end of the season — the cornerback tore his meniscus after playing in a meaningless Week 17 game when he was already hurt — doesn’t figure to whet his appetite to return.

Link: www.startribune.com/the-vikings-in-2020-who-s-back-and-who-s-gone/567023632/?refresh=true

[Danchat]

I thought it would be a good idea to update the depth chart today to account for the changes in the roster with all free agents off the roster.



Hmmm... we're back to having nothing good on the interior of the O-line, and only one viable WR. This roster isn't looking so good right now, but it's clear that the only way this team is going to improve from our 2019 season is to have a killer draft.

[IAVike]

Mar 18, 2020 17:55:49 GMT -6 Danchat said:

I thought it would be a good idea to update the depth chart today to account for the changes in the roster with all free agents off the roster.



Hmmm... we're back to having nothing good on the interior of the O-line, and only one viable WR. This roster isn't looking so good right now, but it's clear that the only way this team is going to improve from our 2019 season is to have a killer draft.

Appreciate you doing this. Its cool to look and see what things look like.

[Deleted]

So, the priority list as of March 18th:

LG
RG
3T
Edge
WR
CB
LT of the future

And around $13 million currently to work with. Rick needs to have the best draft of his professional career.

[Danchat]

Mar 18, 2020 18:14:57 GMT -6 @keeniac said:

So, the priority list as of March 18th:

LG
RG
3T
Edge
WR
CB
LT of the future

And around $13 million currently to work with. Rick needs to have the best draft of his professional career.

He basically needs to repeat his 2015 draft class + with more draft picks this time. We also need Hughes, Bradbury, and the other young'uns step up.

[Deleted]

Mar 18, 2020 18:14:57 GMT -6 @keeniac said:

So, the priority list as of March 18th:

LG
RG
3T
Edge
WR
CB
LT of the future

And around $13 million currently to work with. Rick needs to have the best draft of his professional career.

Possibly safety too if they succeed in finding a trade partner for Harris.

More than 1/3 of the starters

[IAVike]

Mar 18, 2020 20:07:41 GMT -6 BosViking said:

Mar 18, 2020 18:14:57 GMT -6 @keeniac said:

So, the priority list as of March 18th:

LG
RG
3T
Edge
WR
CB
LT of the future

And around $13 million currently to work with. Rick needs to have the best draft of his professional career.

Possibly safety too if they succeed in finding a trade partner for Harris.

More than 1/3 of the starters

So you guys don't think tje following can step up next year?
Samia
Odenigbo
Beebe
J Johnson

[diehardtwinsfan]

Mar 18, 2020 21:57:54 GMT -6 IAVike said:

Mar 18, 2020 20:07:41 GMT -6 BosViking said:

Possibly safety too if they succeed in finding a trade partner for Harris.

More than 1/3 of the starters

So you guys don't think tje following can step up next year?
Samia
Odenigbo
Beebe
J Johnson

Some of them will have to... I think Bisi will take a pretty big step forward... I really hope we don't burn a 1st or 2nd on a WR... There are much bigger needs and this deep a draft should yield a couple decent WRs in the mid-to-late rounds... Really hope Samia and Udoh are taking huge steps forward.

[mikenessfan]

Bottom line as of now (fa just started, but funds limited) is that we did turn over about a 1/3rd of the starters overall. Not much money to spend in fa left and lot of draft picks. This means that at least a few of the young guys that are already on the team need to take a next step and become starters and competent starters. I think Boyd and samia are 2 guys that come to mind right off the bat. Odibigo is another. I think the first few picks should be used towards the oline and dline still, but there is no denying we still need help at wr and cb.

[mikenessfan]

Btw I don’t think Harris gets traded. It would just be another starter we need to find.