3 Vikings Players Who Have a Make-or-Break 2020 Season Ahead

Another huge franchise upset for the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, followed by another disappointing effort the following week against the San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings were by no means the NFC favorites last season, but the fanbase has to be wondering when their time will finally come. They always seem to fall just short of the ultimate goal, a Super Bowl ring.

There should still be plenty to like going into 2020, but the Vikings will need certain players to step up to that next level if they want to be champions. Here are three that will have make-or-break seasons coming up next Fall.

3. Mike Hughes, CB

Mike Hughes will aim to prove he's not a bust in 2020. / Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

Selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Mike Hughes had high expectations out of the University of Central Florida (UCF). Last season, he entered Week 1 fourth on the cornerback depth chart, and ended up started three games before being sidelined with a neck injury. Hughes had also torn his ACL during his rookie year, so the production has been limited so far. With Xavier Rhodes having been released to the open market, the Vikings will need the young corner to take on more of a role in 2020.

2. Stefon Diggs, WR

Stefon Diggs has become a great NFL WR, but can he make the jump to an elite status? / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Coming off his first two 1,000-yard-plus seasons, Stefon Diggs has been doing a lot of talking when he isn't playing football. Before the Vikings' winning streak last year, Diggs even hinted that he would love to be traded to the New England Patriots. Later, he tried to change his words and supported his quarterback, Kirk Cousins. Although Diggs had injury woes early in his career, he's been fairly consistent since and his talent is undeniable. One thing is clear though, if problems arise for Minnesota, Diggs will be the first man on the lifeboat off the sinking ship. Assuming he does not get traded, Diggs has to prove he is a Viking first and foremost in 2020.

1. Kirk Cousins, QB

Kirk Cousins won't shy away from the critics, he's been an underdog his whole career. / Elsa/Getty Images

No matter how well Kirk Cousins played in 2019, he still finds a spot on this list. The expression "heavy lies the crown" often extends to quarterbacks in football, even though it is known as a team sport. Last year, Cousins faltered out of the gates and was openly ripped by numerous teammates and analysts. To his credit, he took full responsibility and used the criticism to fuel a comeback campaign that led the Vikings to the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs. Still, the QB is making a ton of money, and anything short of a Super Bowl appearance will likely not be good enough in Minnesota. The big question for me is, with offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski off to Cleveland and Cousins forced to switch playbooks all over again, plus a poor offensive line, is he doomed to fail as a Viking?

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Michael Obermuller is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Michael Obermuller also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username king_mizzard. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.