Vikings Territory: 5 Most Important On Defense For The 2021 Vikings

Press release from Vikings Territory:

2021-08-18

The Vikings’ defense was ravaged by injuries last season. This caused them to have the 27th ranked defense in the league, the worst the Vikings have ranked since Mike Zimmer took over in 2014. The Minnesota Vikings were very aggressive this offseason trying to rejuvenate and revive the defense for Mike Zimmer. The Vikings have turned that 27th ranked defense into arguably the best defensive roster in the league. With guys coming back from injury, coupled with some of the free agency acquisitions, let’s have a look at the 5 most important players for the Minnesota Vikings on the defensive side of the ball.

Eric Kendricks has quickly established himself as one of the premier inside linebackers in all of football. His ability to always be around the ball, diagnose the play and get to it in a flash has made him an absolute force in the middle of that Vikings defense. Last season the Vikings were thin on all levels of the defense but held it together somewhat because of the Kendricks’ and his ability to make crucial plays. As soon as he got injured, the Vikings began to leak points and his absence was truly felt. Kendricks has no weakness in his game. In the passing game he can cover and keep up with anyone in the slot or any tight end, and his elite-level tackling makes him an incredible asset for the Vikings’ defense.

Micheal Pierce was added in 2019 as a free-agent defensive tackle who could be plugged into the middle of the defensive line and take on bodies and stuff the run. However, Pierce opted out last season due to COVID and boy was he missed. Although he had never taken a single snap as a Minnesota Viking, his presence in the team would have made a huge difference. Michael Pierce is a mammoth of a human being, so even when he is not getting into the backfield to make plays, he is taking up blocks that could open up gaps for others to go to work. The Vikings were terrible against the run last year, famously giving up 6 touchdowns in 1 game to Alvin Kamara and the Saints, that is unlikely to happen again with Pierce in the middle setting the tone for the Vikings defense.

This press release was produced by Vikings Territory .The views expressed here are the author’s own.