Vikings Territory: If Not Everson Griffen, Vikings Fans Have Firm Prediction For RDE

Press release from Vikings Territory:

Dustin Baker Dustin Baker

2021-08-20

As of the third week in August, the starting right defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings is dependent on the decision to welcome Everson Griffen back to the roster.

But the defensive end spot was curiously the one area where Spielman signed Stephen Weatherly – also a former Viking – and “called it good.” Weatherly is a good football player but not on the level of prime Everson Griffen. Several other pass rushers were available in free agency, many of them better than Weatherly. Still, Spielman maintained a Weatherly-only posture and added rookies Patrick Jones II and Janarius Robinson via the 2021 NFL Draft.

And should Griffen not factor into plans this September, Vikings fans have a prediction for RDE1 – D.J. Wonnum.

The poll is unscientific and 508 people responded.

That’s enough for a simple majority of Vikings enthusiasts. Wonnum possesses a higher upside than Weatherly – that’s the working theory anyway – so why not get him started in 2021? That’s the fans’ sentiment.

Then, Wonnum grabbed an interception from Jake Browning in the Vikings first organized scrimmage at U.S. Bank Stadium a few weeks ago. The man makes headlines. In the business, that is called a playmaker.

It should be noted that a non-diminished version of Griffen is preferable to either Wonnum or Weatherly. However, Griffen will be 34 years old this December, indicating his ”cliff” may be evident at any time. His deal will likely be for one year if he signs with the Vikings.

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