5 breakout stars to watch for Minnesota Vikings in 2020

After seeing a couple notable breakthroughs last year, here are five players who may be set to breakout for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020.

The Minnesota Vikings went 10-6 and won a playoff game last year, as they found the right offensive formula and still had a stout defense.

The centerpiece of that offensive formula was Dalvin Cook, who finished with 1,135 rushing yards (10th in the league) and 13 touchdowns (fourth in the league) with 1,635 yards from scrimmage (seventh-most in the league). Despite missing two games and being limited in a couple of others, Cook had the eighth-most carries (250) and the ninth-most touches (303) in the league.

On the defensive side of the ball, safety Anthony Harris tied for a league-high six interceptions. He also had a momentum-shifting interception in the Vikings’ playoff win over the New Orleans Saints, and after being franchise tagged this offseason, he’s in line for a nice multi-year deal at some point.

After a notable exodus this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings will be looking for more breakthroughs this year. Here are five breakout candidates to watch in 2020.

5. RT Brian O’Neill

O’Neill came aboard as as second-round pick out of Pitt in 2018, and a he was a bit of a project. But he’s started 26 of 30 games played over two seasons at right tackle (15 in 2019), providing a measure of stability to the Vikings’ offensive line.

Pro Football Focus credited O’Neill with just one sack allowed last season, and he committed only seven penalties on 969 snaps. He may move to left tackle down the road, but another step seems to be coming for O’Neill this year.