This Vikings Player is a Surprise Breakout Candidate for 2020

The Minnesota Vikings had plenty of turnover this past season. Players like Stefon Diggs and Everson Griffen are among the notables no longer on the squad, and they were effectively replaced by an unprecedented 15 selections in this year's NFL Draft.

When thinking about a player that can truly breakout in 2020 and make a serious impact on a team that will inevitably have a new look, the first name that comes to mind should be cornerback Mike Hughes.

Last season, the Vikings secondary was abysmal. The main culprit of their struggles? Xavier Rhodes, who was burnt by opposing receivers all year long, yet still made the Pro Bowl for some bizarre reason. This offseason, the Vikings parted ways with Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander to make Hughes effectively the top corner on the depth chart.

After being selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Hughes looked like a rookie for the most part, as he allowed 20 catches on 30 targets for 274 yards and two touchdowns. Just as he started to build up steam, Hughes tore his ACL in his sixth career game. That injury didn't help him during his sophomore season, as he allowed 41 receptions on 67 targets for 474 yards and three scores.

But with a clean bill of health, he's got a fine chance to start growing into the best version of himself.

It's important to note that those statistics were logged while Hughes played in a backup role. Now that the team replaced their cornerback departures with rookies Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler, Hughes is the de facto No. 1 guy. He'll be backed to thrive under new co-defensive coordinators Adam Zimmer and Andre Patterson.

Nobody -- and we mean nobody -- has more potential to make the leap on this Vikings roster in the upcoming season than Hughes. Of course, that can only happen if he stays healthy.