The 30 biggest NFL storylines of the 2020 season

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens gestures during the first half against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

14. Will the Vikings miss Stefon Diggs?

Minnesota dealt a not-totally-happy Diggs to the Buffalo Bills in March. A crater was left on the Vikings depth chart as the drop-off from Adam Thielen to the next wide receiver was vast. Minnesota later used one of the picks it extracted from the Diggs trade to draft LSU wideout, Justin Jefferson.

While it’s unlikely Jefferson is immediately as electric as Diggs was in 2019, his skill set is extensive. New offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is tasked with implementing Jefferson in the WR2 role in hopes the rookie will benefit from double coverage on Adam Thielen.

If Jefferson does not show Diggs-like productivity out of the gate, Minnesota will have to lean on a hodgepodge of pass-catchers including 22-year-old tight end Irv Smith Jr.

13. The Philip Rivers Experiment

If 2019 was a reputable indication, Rivers is nearing the end of the line. But if you choose to blame the Chargers offensive line and not Rivers personally, then the Rivers-to-Indianapolis transaction seems pertinent.

Rivers loves to sling the football, and the Colts were devoid of that tendency with Jacoby Brissett. Now a backup to Rivers, Brissett is the type of quarterback that subscribes to a brand of football that minimizes mistakes rather than taking risks. To an extent, that’s swell, but Rivers will air the ball out in 2020.

If it doesn’t work, the Colts will be in an awkward spot with a roster than has oodles of cornerstone talent like Quenton Nelson and Darius Leonard but no viable quarterback option in 2021.

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