We already took a shot at projecting how the Vikings’ offense would shake out come week one. Now it is time to look at Rick Spielman’s and Mike Zimmer’s preferred side of the ball, the defense. And just for good measure, we will predict the specialists, as well.
Defensive End
On Roster (As of May 1): On Roster (As of August 28): Ade Aruna, Tashawn Bower, Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Hercules Mata’afa, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Anree Saint-Amour, Karter Schult, Stephen Weatherly
Prediction: DE1: Hunter DE2: Griffen DE3: Weatherly DE4: Odenigbo DE5: Aruna
Defensive Tackle
On Roster: Cutris Cothran, Jalyn Holmes, Jaleel Johnson, Linval Joseph, Tito Odenigbo, Shamar Stephen, Armon Watts
Prediction: NT: Joseph 3T: Stephen DT3: Johnson DT4: Holmes DT5: Watts
Like the offensive line in yesterday’s piece, we are going heavy on defensive line. Last year, the Vikings kept nine players. But there are so many young young guys on the line that could develop, including second-year players in Aruna and Mata’afa who missed the cut largely due to injury in 2018. Since we are going light on defensive backs for now, it opens up some spots here.
Both tackle and end have three near-locks. Griffen may have been a cut candidate, but the Vikings did not add enough depth to think that is a strong possibility anymore. Plus, his restructured contract makes his position less cumbersome. Hunter and Weatherly will certainly make it, as will Joseph, Stephen and Johnson. The Vikings seem high on Jalyn Holmes, so he could be a candidate for increased playing time.
After those guys, however, it is wide open. Despite Tashawn Bower’s traits, he has not really put it all together yet. With Aruna coming back, and the versatility of Odenigbo, I am favoring those two to bump Bower for the final end spots. At tackle, the rookie Watts seems a solid bet to land the last slot.
One thing to note here: while we currently have 10 defensive linemen here, one of them will likely get bumped once Holton Hill returns from suspension.
Linebacker
On Roster: Anthony Barr, Kentrell Brothers, Reshard Cliett, Devante Downs, Ben Gedeon, Eric Kendricks, Greer Martini, Cameron Smith, Eric Wilson
Prediction: MLB: Kendricks SLB: Barr WLB: Gedeon LB4: Wilson LB5: Smith LB6: Downs
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
This is a position of solid depth for the Vikings. Wilson and Gedeon are strong in spurts on defense, but really shine on special teams. Downs also proved an effective special teamer. The fifth-rounder Smith throws a wrench into the predictions a bit, but it is possible the Vikings can find a role for six linebackers this year. Effectively, they could use this position to stock the kick coverage units rather than the secondary.
Cornerback
On Roster: Mackensie Alexander, Kris Boyd, Holton Hill, Mike Hughes, Craig James, Jordan Martin, Nate Meadors, Xavier Rhodes, Duke Thomas, Trae Waynes
Prediction: CB1: Rhodes CB2: Waynes CB3: Alexander CB4: Hughes CB5: Boyd
Corner is deep for Minnesota, as well, especially once Hill returns from suspension (assuming that is the plan). That gives them five guys who the Vikings know they can play for long stretches. On top of that, Boyd brings a lot of intrigue as a seventh-round pick. He was college teammates with Hill, and has a similar profile of strength and physicality. It may seem like nine defensive backs is overly light for a projection, but Hill’s suspension means they essentially have a 54th body that we assume will be around come week five.
Safety
On Roster: Micah Abernathy, Marcus Epps, Anthony Harris, Jayron Kearse, Derron Smith, Harrison Smith
Prediction: SS: Harris FS: H. Smith S3: Kearse S4: Epps
Safety, on the other hand, is more on the shallow end. The Vikings are pretty confident in their top three. Smith is a star, Harris showed himself to be a solid playmaker and Kearse is a big nickel of sorts who can move around the field. After that, however, it is a lot of guess work. Epps is probably the safest choice as a recent draft pick. That said, Abernathy could make a run as a special teams ace, given his solid combination of size and explosiveness. And then there is Derron Smith, who has plenty of game experience in three NFL seasons, though little on the defensive side.
Long Snapper
On Roster: Austin Cutting, Kevin McDermott
Prediction: McDermott
This one is going to depend on Cutting’s service responsibilities. There is the possibility that he will not have to serve in the Air Force before starting his NFL career, but if he does, the job will remain McDermott’s for now. If Cutting can play this year, one would assume he will take over, given that long snappers are not drafted all that often.
Punter
On Roster: Matt Wile
Prediction: Wile
Kicker
On Roster: Dan Bailey
Prediction: Bailey
Maybe Wile and Bailey get some competition in camp, but right now, there is none. The jobs are theirs to lose.
–Sam Smith is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Vikings and Deputy Editor for Full Press NFL. Like and Follow @samc_smith.
Follow @fpc_vikings and Follow @fpc_nfl
Latest Vikings News
- What Non-Playoff Teams Have Best Chance To Make 2022 NFL Playoffs?
- NFL Rumors: Jimmy Garoppolo, Commanders, Deshaun Watson
- Deshaun Watson Eyeing Buccaneers or Vikings?
- Know the Foe: Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
- Cowboys and Vikings Defenses Are On the Rebound
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 108: Hall of Famer Bryant Young Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 1:45 am
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bryant Young returns to the show to talk with […]
-
Ep 107: Pro Football HOF President Jim Porter Returns To The Showby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Clark and Ira are once again joined by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's […]
-
Ep 106: Remembering Pat Tillman w/ Former Cardinals Coach Dave McGinnisby Full Press Coverage on April 21, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Former Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis joins Clark and Ira to remember […]
-
Ep 105: Who Are The Top 5 Quarterbacks of All Time?by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2022 at 12:46 am
Who is the most underrated quarterback of all time? The most overrated? […]
-
Ep 104: John McClain Joins The Show To Talk Retirement and Houston Sportsby Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2022 at 2:50 am
Former Texans beat reporter for the Houston Chronicle, John McClain, joins […]
-
Ep 103: Discussing The New NFL OT Rules With Upton Bellby Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2022 at 10:11 pm
Former NFL executive Upton Bell joins Clark and Ian to discuss the latest […]
-
Ep 231: Sons of Dynasty Draftsby Full Press Coverage on May 19, 2022 at 9:28 pm
-
Ep 230: Early Rookie Draft Seasonby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 7:58 pm
-
Ep 229: Fantasy Fallout From the NFL Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 10:52 pm
-
Ep 228: Pre-NFL Draft Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on April 27, 2022 at 2:52 am
-
5/11 - Patriots Depth Chart, Contract Issues, Smoked Meat, and Ernie Adams With Matt Chathamby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2021 at 7:54 pm
Matt Chatham joins Steve, Murph, and Clare to talk Patriots depth chart, […]
-
5/4 - Good, Bad, and Ugly From NFL Draft With Evan Lazarby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Evan Lazar of CLNS Media joins Steve, Murph, and Claire to recap the […]
-
Which Athlete Do You Want To See Roasted?by Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2022 at 2:40 pm
Ian and John discuss the upcoming Tom Brady roast and which athlete they […]
-
Warriors Take Commanding Lead; How Can The Celtics Rebound? (5/23)by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:37 pm
Ian and John discuss the Warriors commanding 3-0 series lead over the […]
-
5/23 - Red Sox; NBA Playoffs; Tom Brady Roastby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:32 pm
Ian and John discuss the Red Sox recent surge, the Warriors lead over the […]
-
Celtics Rebound In Game Two; Series Heads To Bostonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am
Ian and John discuss the Celtics big game two win over the Heat as the […]
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning and their 2-0 series lead […]
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tampa Bay Lightning's quest for a third-straight […]
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics game seven win over the Bucks and Jayson […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 226by Talkamania on May 16, 2022 at 11:23 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 225by Talkamania on April 2, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 183 "The Streets Been Waiting"by Boot 2 The Face on May 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Sponsored by athleticgreens.com/EMERGING
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 182 "Mr. Toni Storm"by Boot 2 The Face on May 2, 2022 at 12:30 am
Marty and Rucker here again talking baseball, new action figures and the […]
-
Ep.1: NIL And Voidby Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2022 at 8:00 am
-
Episode 49 Criss Partee and Sava from Courtside (YouTube) run down the latest NBA newsby Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2022 at 4:50 am
-
Ep.38: Titles, Tantrums, and Assorted Clowneryby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 7:59 pm
-
5/23 - Red Sox; NBA Playoffs; Tom Brady Roastby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:32 pm
-
Ep 9: Wildly Early Predictions Of The 2022 Patriots Scheduleby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:24 am
-
Ep 114: Paul Londonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep 131: Packers Fan Series with LosDeeMixby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 8:49 pm
-
Which Athlete Do You Want To See Roasted?by Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2022 at 2:40 pm
-
Warriors Take Commanding Lead; How Can The Celtics Rebound? (5/23)by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:37 pm
-
5/23 - Red Sox; NBA Playoffs; Tom Brady Roastby Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2022 at 3:32 pm
-
Celtics Rebound In Game Two; Series Heads To Bostonby Full Press Coverage on May 21, 2022 at 11:00 am
-
Lightning On Way To A Three-Peat? (5/20)by Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 4:18 pm
-
5/20 - Tampa Bay Lightning; Celtics Blow Out Heatby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 1:41 pm
-
5/16 - Celtics Advance; Jayson Tatum; Golden State; NBA Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2022 at 4:35 pm
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Celtics, Bucks Game Six, NBA Playoffs, Joel Embiid and James Harden (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 3:38 pm