Who’s gonna take the leap?
Every year a few players take the leap from their former level to either a high-level starter or elite level, last year we saw Xavier Rhodes make the leap resulting in Rhodes being the best corner back in the league for a majority of last season. Adam Thielen also took the leap last year becoming a viable starter and moving from mostly being a special teams ace and slot receiver to being a game changing starter and a guy opponents will need to gameplan for.
Now fast forward to the 2017 offseason, who’s gonna take the leap coming into next season? Here’s a few guys I’d put my money on.
Anthony Barr
Anthony Barr had a surprising down year last year, the young dynamic linebacker struggled with staying on task and often found himself in the wrong spot and out of position. Barr is expected to return to his high level in the up-coming season as a result of another year of coaching and experience, thus making the fourth year linebacker an obvious choice for making the leap.
Stefon Diggs
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Where do I even start? Diggs came really close to a thousand yard season last season but saw his numbers deteriorate towards the end of the season with the emergence of Adam Thielen. Diggs has been working hard over the offseason and has looked incredible in the spring workouts. The 2017 season may be the one that finally propels Diggs to the elite crop of receivers.
Stefon Diggs is starting to consistently make things look effortless. That's the sign of a special player. pic.twitter.com/c9GPSTg07v
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) June 17, 2017
Edmond Robinson
Edmond Robinson has come on as gangbusters in the spring workouts, he’s pretty much locked down the will linebacker spot and has showed up consistently in the team drills.
As Eric Smith writes for Vikings.com:
Robinson impressed Tuesday by leaping up to knock away a pass inside the 10-yard line in a red zone drill.
Robinson saved his best for later by perfectly reading a Taylor Heinicke pass, corralling the interception and racing the other way.
Trae Waynes
The third year corner back hasn’t had the career we all dreamt of so far, Waynes hasn’t yet locked down a spot as a starter but that looks to be changing. Waynes is reportedly playing opposite Xavier Rhodes as the starter and looks to build on his last season where Waynes led the team in interceptions.