Darrisaw Among PFF’s ‘Top 2nd-Year Breakout…

Will Darrisaw, Davis, Bynum make leaps in 2022?

And speaking of second-year breakout candidates, Sports Illustrated‘s Will Ragatz tackled a similar topic but specifically focused on the Vikings roster.

Like Renner, Ragatz expects Darrisaw to take a significant step forward in Year 2. He additionally took a look at guard Wyatt Davis and safety Camryn Bynum. Ragatz wrote:

When the Vikings landed Davis with the 86thoverall pick, it seemed like a steal. The Vikings needed a guard, and the two-time First-Team All-American was not only a great fit for their zone blocking scheme, he would also bring some much-needed power to their offensive line. There were certainly reasons why Davis fell to the third round, but one assumed he’d have a pretty good chance to see the field right away at right guard because of the Vikings lack of proven options at that position.

Instead, he never played a snap on offense. Dakota Dozier and Olisaemeka Udoh were clearly ahead of Davis throughout all of training camp, with Udoh winning the starting job at RG. When Udoh needed to slide over to left tackle for a few games late in the season with Christian Darrisaw injured, it was Mason Cole who filled in at RG. It was clear that the Vikings coaching staff didn’t view Davis as an option for playing time as a rookie.

Will year two be different? With a new coaching staff that includes [Head Coach] Kevin O’Connell, [Offensive Coordinator] Wes Phillips and offensive line coach Chris Kuper, maybe it will be. Davis has a clean slate to work with, and he’s apparently working hard this offseason — including spending over a month in Dallas working with offensive line guru Duke Manyweather — to get ready to compete for a starting spot.

While Davis barely saw the field in 2021, Bynum made the most of his opportunities when thrown into the fire.

When Harrison Smith landed on the COVID list right before the Vikings played the Ravens in Week 9, Bynum was thrust into action. He played all 98 defensive snaps in an overtime loss, recording 11 tackles, a diving interception, and earning a 90 PFF grade while lining up all over the field. The following week against the Chargers, Bynum had a sack and a pass breakup. He didn’t see major playing time again until the second half of a Week 17 blowout in Green Bay, but those two games were enough to create plenty of hype for Bynum’s future upside.

If Xavier Woods isn’t brought back in free agency this year and the Vikings don’t go out and add a proven starting safety, Bynum could be in line to start opposite Smith in his second season. That opportunity — plus the skill set we saw in his first taste of NFL action — lands him on this list.