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Minnesota Vikings: 5 offseason needs in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 13: Riley Reiff #71 of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field after sustaining an injury in the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 13: Riley Reiff #71 of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field after sustaining an injury in the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

2. More consistent pass protection

Throughout quarterback Kirk Cousins’ first season in the Twin Cities in 2018, the former Washington Redskins’ quarterback took his lumps behind an offensive line that struggled to protect their newest starting signal-caller. All told, the experienced signal caller was sacked a combined 40 times and more significantly, he lost seven of his nine fumbles that season.

In 2019, Minnesota’s offensive front played much better football. The team allowed just 28 QB traps in 16 regular-season outings. But late in the year, the team struggled once again when it came to protecting the quarterback.

It started with a Week 16 Monday night loss to the Green Bay Packers at home in which Cousins was dropped five times in a 23-10 setback. He did not play the following week vs. the Bears but he was sacked twice in the wild card win over the Saints and six times in the divisional round loss at San Francisco.

Could the team make a play for Washington Redskins’ left tackle Trent Williams, who did not play football in 2018 and has been given permission to seek a trade?

ESPN’s John Keim has a list of teams that have or could inquire into his services and the Purple Gang is among them. Adding the seven-time Pro Bowler is a luxury Cousins has certainly enjoyed in the past and a performer who would upgrade the entire Minnesota offensive front.

Next: No. 1

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