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3 Vikings Players Who Won't Survive in Minnesota Beyond This Season

By Scott Rogust

These three Vikings players won't last much longer in Minnesota.
These three Vikings players won't last much longer in Minnesota. / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Earlier this year, the Minnesota Vikings shocked the world by eliminating the NFC favorite New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. The Vikings built off that unexpected playoff run by selecting an unprecedented 15 players in the NFL Draft. That means those on the roster who haven't been playing up to expectations are going to be under the proverbial microscope. If they don't perform, they'll be handed their walking papers.

Here are three players on the Vikings that won't survive beyond this season.

3. Pat Elflein, G

Pat Elflein was a liability on the Vikings' offensive line last season.
Pat Elflein was a liability on the Vikings' offensive line last season. / Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

What if we told you that the worst offensive guard in the NFL last season wasn't Ereck Flowers? That's right, the person with the unfortunate title is Vikings guard Pat Elflein. The former 2017 third-round pick struggled mightily once moving to left guard last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Elflein recorded the lowest pass-blocking efficiency of any eligible NFL offensive guard. That's evident by allowing 38 total pressures last season. That won't do any favors for expensive quarterback Kirk Cousins, who can't throw off of his back. If Elflein doesn't improve next season, he could hypothetically be replaced by free agents Joe Thuney and Brandon Scherff.

2. Mike Hughes, CB

Mike Hughes' spot on the roster is in jeopardy based off their recent draft selections.
Mike Hughes' spot on the roster is in jeopardy based off their recent draft selections. / Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

The Vikings cornerback group was among the worst in the NFL last season. Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander were all shown the door out of Minnesota this offseason. Even though Mike Hughes remained, his job security isn't rock solid. Just last season, he ranked as the 91st best corner in the league, where he allowed 41 receptions on 65 targets. It's a true shame, because Hughes was decent before he tore his ACL in 2018. Considering the Vikings drafted TCU's Jeff Gladney and Mississippi State's Cameron Dantzler in the first three rounds of the draft, Hughes needs to step his game up before he loses snaps to these rookies.

1. Riley Reiff, OT

Riley Reiff hasn't exactly lived up to his huge contract.
Riley Reiff hasn't exactly lived up to his huge contract. / Dylan Buell/Getty Images

If there's one thing we'd like to suggest NFL teams not do, it's pay out the nose for a left tackle in free agency. The Vikings were desperate to protect the quarterback in 2017, so they opted to give former Detroit Lion Riley Reiff a five-year, $59 million contract. Reiff never lived up to his contract, mostly because he played through a foot injury. Even though he played in 15 games last season, Reiff allowed 32 pressures and six sacks on pass blocking snaps -- not ideal for a starting blindside blocker on a playoff contending team. The veteran's contract officially expires at the conclusion of the 2021 season, and they seemingly already have his replacement in the form of Boise State's Ezra Cleveland. Don't be surprised if Cleveland eventually dethrones Reiff on the depth chart within the next year.