There are a number of ways to categorize a “Vikings breakout season.” It could be a talented guy once deemed a bust turning into a valuable piece. It could be like an Adam Thielen 2016 season, where a player jumps from being a nobody, mere roster filler up to productive contributor. Or it could be a Thielen 2017 season; a productive player who takes the last step to superstar.
The Vikings have candidates on both offense and defense for all of these types of breakouts. They boast a talented, versatile roster with potential up and down the depth chart. But they are also still waiting on some promising talents to become the players they need them to be. We narrowed down the list of 90-some players on the roster to three guys on each side of the ball who are poised to make the next step. First, the offense.
*We are not including rookies in this list.
OT Brian O’Neill
Long labeled a project coming out of Pittsburgh, O’Neill defied expectations by inserting himself as the starting right tackle early in year one. And he did not only play; he largely played well. O’Neill struggled a bit as a run blocker, but his pass protecting was surprisingly sound, as he did not surrender a single sack all year. His elite combination of athleticism and length proved translatable, even as his power and feel for the game remained a work in progress.
So in a sense, O’Neill has taken a step already. He enters camp as a guaranteed starter, barring injury, and is a centerpiece of rare optimism for the Vikings’ line. That said, O’Neill still has room to grow. He is not much of a mover in the run game, possibly due to his still thin frame. By the same token, he was a bit susceptible to power rushes. But his work against speed rush and his surprising polished use of hands was a great sign for O’Neill moving forward. With some added mass and strength, O’Neill could be even more than just a reliable tackle. He could be a mainstay at the position for a team that has struggled to find long-term solutions along the line.
WR Chad Beebe
Being an undersized and athletically modest receiver is a surefire way to draw fan attention in the NFL. Beebe learned that a year ago when he proved himself a play-maker in preseason, despite his physical limitations. And though he did not make the 53-man roster out of camp in his rookie 2018 campaign, Beebe eventually worked his way up to Sunday action. He caught all four of his targets in limited time.
For all the positives Beebe showed in preseason last year–punt returns, quality route-running, good hands–there were too many players to jump. Laquon Treadwell was the anointed number three; Brandon Zylstra a big, productive player with professional experience; Stacy Coley similarly big and fast with special teams value. Beebe was on the outside looking in. Well, now Beebe has a wide open door he can step through. Treadwell and Zylstra are far from guarantees, while the third, fourth and fifth spots are open for business. And through minicamp, it appears Beebe has a leg up.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
Behind Thielen and Stefon Diggs, Jordan Taylor is the only receiver who has received the pre-camp buzz Beebe has. Given they have disparate skill sets, prevailing wisdom is that the two are favored to split third receiver duties. Taylor can be the big slot and outside threat with Beebe as the smaller, quicker route specialist to work off of Diggs. Beebe has shown in limited time that he knows how to get open. In 2019, expect a lot more looks his way from Kirk Cousins.
RB Dalvin Cook
This is where the description “breakout” gets murky. Cook was a breakout pick a season ago, and in some ways, he succeeded. While he missed some time, he was a reliable dual threat runner who was a major cog in a streaky Vikings offense. He flashed star power with some big plays, but at the core, Cook’s first full season was hampered by weak offensive line play and under-utilization. Sure, the 2018 version of Dalvin Cook is a reliable bell cow back who can be the feature on a good team. However, with his draft position and hype, the end goal is super-stardom.
The effect of porous line play and uneven play calling can not be overstated in Cook’s 2018. For someone of his dual threat value (51 catches in 15 career games), Cook finished with under 1,000 scrimmage yards. Even when taking his injury time into account he under-performed expectations. 27 players had more scrimmage yards per game last season. And it is not as if Cook was inefficient in his touches. He had a strong 4.6 yards per carry and 6.2 yards per target. Yet, John DeFilippo thought of him as little more than a decoy.
Alas, Kevin Stefanski taking over full-time along with the voice of Gary Kubiak should boost Cook’s production. The offense will favor outside zone heavily, allowing Cook to work the edges and cutbacks far more. That should play to his strengths better than DeFilippo did. Plus, now Cook has Garrett Bradbury in front of him, the best outside zone blocker in the 2019 draft class, and Pat Elflein can move over to a more natural guard spot. The blocking should be better, then scheme a stronger fit. Thus, Cook should finally have the elite breakout fans have waited for for two years.
–Sam Smith is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Vikings and Deputy Editor for Full Press NFL. Like and Follow @samc_smith.
Follow @fpc_vikings and Follow @fpc_nfl
Latest Vikings News
- NFL 2022: Football Food For Thought (Wild Card Weekend)
- Giants at Vikings: Playoff Preview and Prediction
- NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Wild Card Weekend
- Listing The Best Possible Super Bowl LVII Matchups
- Giants at Vikings: Preview and Prediction
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Mavericks at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Rockets at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Heat at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Trail Blazers at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Clippers at Knicksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Suns at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 5:15 pm
-
Wizards at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Lakers at Pelicansby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 3:45 pm
-
Ep 150: Owen Hart Part One - Young Gunby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: Final Notesby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm