The Portion of a Potential Danielle Hunter Trade That Simply Can’t be Missed
As soon as the Vikings trade Danielle Hunter they’ll be in the market to acquire someone exactly like him. The Vikings – and their fans – can’t miss that important truth. Ian Rapoport describes the interest, but Minnesota needs to be cautious.
The issue? Well, he happens to have a rare ability. Not too many people on the planet capable of doing what he can do. Replacing him will be easier said than done, so that brings us back around to the question: should the team trade him in the first place?
Danielle Hunter and His Unique Ability
Before the team officially decided to move on from Tyler Bertuzzi, the Detroit Red Wings’ fanbase spent a ton of time debating the merits of a trade. The star winger provides grit and snarl alongside scoring upside. He was due for a new contract and it was uncertain whether Detroit’s GM would be willing to hand out a sizable deal given the winger’s age and injury history. Sound at least vaguely familiar?
Max Bultman – the Wings’ beat writer at The Athletic – spent a fair bit of time discussing the situation. If memory serves (memory is shabby equipment), Bultman would often come around to a crucial point: as soon as the team moves on from Bertuzzi, the team will be looking for someone just like him. Gritty, scoring wingers are always in demand.
And what of NFL defenders capable of sacking the QB?
Since joining the NFL in 2015 as a 3rd-round selection, Hunter has been a terror to opposing QBs. He wasn’t particularly productive in college but he oozed potential due to his massive frame and otherworldly athleticism. Mike Zimmer found a way of unlocking him early, coaxing 6 sacks out of Hunter while rotating him in 2015.
A breakout sophomore season – he piled up 12.5 sacks – was followed by a more modest 2017 when he “only” had 7 sacks. He then launched into a couple seasons where he put up 14.5 sacks in each season. After those five seasons, Danielle Hunter had firmly established himself as being among the NFL’s preeminent pass rushers.
Rick Spielman extended #99 for $72 million across 5 years in 2018. At the time, the deal raised some eyebrows given that Hunter was still so young and was chosen in a reasonably modest spot. Injuries aside, though, Hunter has more than earned his deal. In fact, he has far outperformed his deal.
He’s now approaching the final season. In terms of actual money, Hunter will only be bringing in $5.5 million, a massive amount of cash in any normal profession but a minuscule amount for a top-level NFL pass rusher.
Unless an extension is reached, Hunter is going to be underpaid. He may be upset enough to not come into work. He wasn’t with the team for minicamp and missing some time in training camp can’t be ruled out either. Unless, of course, there is a new agreement that comes to fruition.
Finding some sort of financial solution is the greatest outcome for the Vikings. Put simply, there is no one like the long & strong Hunter on the roster.
Marcus Davenport has tremendous ability but his job is to fill Za’Darius Smith’s shoes. Needing to somehow take on the Herculean task of replacing both – or attempting to do so – would be insanity. And, frankly, impossible. Davenport’s job is to (ideally) replace and surpass the production that Za’Darius is leaving behind.
D.J. Wonnum has had his moments, Patrick Jones plays with some electricity in his hands, and there are some youthful options with upside (Luiji Vilain, Andre Carter II), but there’s no one who rises to the level of a Danielle Hunter.
And so that’s the issue that needs to be at the forefront of management’s mind. Trading Hunter solves an issue – the current contract stalemate – and offers the promise of draft capital and increased cap space (at least in 2024). All worthwhile things to pursue.
However, losing Hunter instantly creates a different issue: needing to find someone exactly like Hunter.
Truthfully, I don’t envy Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on this front. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, says a certain notable writer. Well, Kwesi’s crown is heavy; there is a burden to being the general manager. Solving the Danielle issue is a situation that’s going to require him to travel down a bold path that has an unclear destination. A heavy crown, indeed.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
