Two Vikings who will make a significant impact in 2016
Coming off an 11-5 season that included a playoff appearance, the Minnesota Vikings are poised to take that next step. However, Minnesota cannot simply rely on their star athletes and hype to carry them. Role players play a key part in a team’s success. They go a long way down the stretch and into the postseason.
These players are typically older veterans or young developing players who take on limited yet significant roles. Some may only be kickoff specialists, others, limited to third downs or a single formation.
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A great example of a role player would be Terrance Newman. What some fans thought of as a washed up, lucky to make the roster kind of guy, turned out to be a very important piece for the Vikings. Newman took part in mentoring Trae Waynes, but also went on to have an impressive, rebounding season, which earned him another contract with the team.
These players aren’t always easy to gage, but here are two potential candidates who could potentially have that kind of impact next season.
Mycole Pruitt
Pruitt had a limited role in his rookie season, but did have a chance to make a few plays along the way. He is currently the backup to Kyle Rudolph, who has been up and down early in his career.
Although Rudolph will get the bulk of the reps, Pruitt can come off the sideline as a change of pace. Pruitt has the athleticism Rudolph lacks and can make plays after the catch. He can be used in a two tight end formation but also has the versatility to be split out wide.
He is a mismatch waiting to happen. In the spread, Pruitt allots for a size advantage over defensive backs, and runs too fast for most linebackers. His future looks bright. He can get open consistently and represents a solid third down target.
With the addition of new offensive coach, Pat Shurmur, look for his role to increase. Vikings fans hope Rudolph can get back to form but should injuries continue to hamper him, Pruitt may be the replacement sooner rather than later.
Stephen Weatherly
Outside of diehard Vikings fans, most won’t recognize this Vanderbilt product. Weatherly was selected as a seventh round draft pick by the Vikings in 2016. Looking at the depth chart, Minnesota needed another pass rusher. Other than Everson Griffen and Brian Robison, Danielle Hunter was the only other lineman consistently getting after the quarterback.
Last year the Vikings took a chance on a Hunter who plays with a similar style and ended up contributing much more than expected. Like Hunter, Weatherly has the potential to have a mirroring impact in 2016.
Weatherly is listed as an outside linebacker but can also put his hand in the dirt and rush off the edge. His measurable can be scary for opposing offenses, and that’s a good thing for Vikings’ fans. His intangibles could eventually accelerate his development and allow him to be a significant piece in the rotation.
At six foot five inches and 267 pounds, offensive lineman will have a hard time handling this freight train. It’s rare to see a player with this size and unique speed. This freak of nature ran the 40-yard dash. in an astonishing 4.61 seconds.
Weatherly will be a project for head coach Mike Zimmer, but don’t be discouraged. Weatherly has much more potential than the average seventh round draft pick. His athleticism gives him an advantage many pass rushers are lacking. He should make the team and may even see the field a bit this season.
Wrap up:
The Vikings just keep adding more and more talent to their already impressive roster. Pruitt and Weatherly are significant pieces of the developmental youth the Vikings contain. The two players can use their unique traits and athleticism to play themselves into significant roles in the future.
There are many candidates who could surprise Vikings’ fans. It’s been seen before; role players are sometimes the ones who make the most important plays. These players will be vital to the Vikings efforts for a postseason run.
Austin Erwin writes for cover32 and covers the Minnesota Vikings. He can be followed on Twitter @austin_erwin
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