Monday Morning Mailbag: Young Players Making the Jump & a Wild (But Unlikely) Trade Scenario

[Viktor]

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We have a lot of promising second- and third-year players that I want to see step up and be major contributors next year. Some of the players I am thinking about are Hercules Mata'afa, Aviante Collins, Dru Samia, Oli Udoh, Cameron Smith and Armon Watts. What are they doing in the offseason to help them make that jump to major contributors?


— Gerald Goblirsch


That's a solid list of names to watch, Gerald, as I'm also looking to see whether or not that crop of young players can ascend. Players are usually on their own with offseason workouts, although some guys stay here and get their work done at the team facility. Voluntary offseason workouts start April 20, which is when most — if not all — players are back in the building.


Starting with the defensive line, Mata'afa and Watts could certainly create bigger roles for themselves in 2020 with a strong offseason program. Mata'afa could become a more consistent pass rusher, while Watts could also see an increase in playing time depending on what happens at the defensive tackle spot. At linebacker, Cam Smith played sparingly as a rookie (just 85 total snaps on defense and special teams), so a jump for him would perhaps mean becoming a solid special teams player.


As for the offensive linemen, Collins was injured at the end of training camp in 2019, and worked his way back to becoming a solid depth player. Depending on what happens along the line, he could potentially push for more playing time, too.


There likely also will be a good amount of focus on Samia and Udoh, who get lumped together since they were rookies together in 2019 and played the exact same number (31) of offensive snaps next to each other in Week 17.


Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said after the 2019 season that both players essentially had a redshirt year to get adjusted to the league and learn the offense. They might have larger assignments in 2020.


I'd also add in names such as Kris Boyd, Bisi Johnson, Stacy Keely as depth players who could potentially make a bigger impact in 2020.