Sports
Vikings Territory: What's The Vikings Biggest Roster Hole?
Minnesota might miss Ifeadi Odenigbo, who recorded a team-high 15 quarterback hits in 2020 but left for the New York Giants in free agency.
July 22, 2021
After a stinky 2020 season, the Minnesota Vikings are suddenly a deep team, on paper.
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And it showed.
But general manager Rick Spielman refused to stew in misery. Beginning in March, the offseason was peppered with defensive free-agent signings – and only defensive signings – as Spielman signed a laundry list of defenders that included:
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Still, the Vikings are arguably deficient in one spot on the defense – at least compared to the depth at other places. And that’s the defensive end position opposite Danielle Hunter. Bleacher Report even called it out.
“The Minnesota Vikings will be delighted to get 26-year-old Pro Bowl pass-rusher Danielle Hunter back from a neck injury that caused him to miss the entire 2020 season. However, he hasn’t suited up since 2019, and he even missed OTAs due to a contract dispute. Ideally, the Vikings would get Hunter as much help as possible on the edge. But the cap-strapped Minnesota front office focused on the offensive line and secondary in the offseason (for good reason). That leaves the underwhelming Stephen Weatherly as the Vikings’ top option to start at defensive end opposite Hunter while they wait for rookie third-round pick Patrick Jones II to acclimate. Minnesota might miss Ifeadi Odenigbo, who recorded a team-high 15 quarterback hits in 2020 but left for the New York Giants in free agency. Luckily, veterans such as Justin Houston, Olivier Vernon and Trent Murphy remain on the market if the Vikings realize Weatherly won’t cut it.”
It’s weirdly the one position on the depth chart – other than WR3 (but that’s every year) – that the Vikings have remained quiet. In all likelihood, the team has faith in Weatherly, who filled in admirably at times for Everson Griffen pre-2020.
Because Spielman has signed so many defensive free agents – starters and depth players – no EDGE rushers in addition to Weatherly is a wee bit perplexing.
It’s just a guessing game as to whether there’s an appetite for another defensive end.
This press release was produced by Vikings Territory. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
