Don’t Forget the Young Vikings, Stressed the Head Coach
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was present at the annual league meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, and he was available to answer some questions. After responding to the inquiries about new running back Jordan Mason, the reporters switched to the defensive side of the ball.
Don’t Forget the Young Vikings, Stressed the Head Coach
The next question targeted the defensive line and the new signings Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Both can play all positions, he emphasized, allowing them to be versatile with Harrison Phillips also in the mix.
However, he quickly pivoted to the depth guys, players who likely lost their chances of starting football games for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2025 season with those three veterans in the building.
“I also think what these moves allow us to do is really see guys like Levi (Drake Rodriguez), and Jalen (Redmond), and Taki (Taimani). These guys are really in a position to make our team but be in impactful depth positions that can get some high-quality snaps for you throughout the game, throughout different sequences of the season that allow you to keep those other guys fresh.”
Taki Taimani, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Jalen Redmond are the next three defenders on the depth chart in an unknown order. Phillips is 29, and Hargrave and Allen have crossed the magic 30 years. There should be a healthy rotation along the line to keep them fresh. That’s where the three younger players enter the conversation.
Levi Drake Rodriguez
The defensive line was considered an area of need ahead of last year’s draft, but the Vikings waited until the seventh round to address it, acquiring Rodriguez from the Texas A&M Commerce.
Coming from a small school, a transition period was expected, and he barely played a role in his debut season despite showing promise in the preseason. He appeared in two games and logged six defensive snaps.
In his post-draft media availability, Vikings Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Grigson said about the rookie: “He’s quick, he can get underneath the pads of the offensive lineman. He can yank him, throw him; there’s just a lot in his body and I feel like once our coaches get their hands on him, I think Kwesi would even tell you he has a lot of savvy already as a pass rusher. That’s not very common from where he’s been.”
The full offseason will help him come closer to his potential.
Taki Taimani
Taimani arrived as an undrafted rookie and was a long shot to make the team. But he did, following an outstanding preseason. While Rodriguez is a quicker player with some pass-rush upside, Taimani is a force in the running game.
Because of that, he quickly earned a role on defense; he played the first seven games and 70 defensive snaps in a rotation role (between six and 14 defensive snaps per game), trotting onto the field whenever it was an obvious running play.
An ankle injury then sent him to injured reserve, and he never returned, although he was close to being back for the playoff game. Regaining the rotational role in short-down situations is possible.
Jalen Redmond
Redmond was the primary beneficiary of Taimani’s injury. He was signed in the offseason after a productive stint in the UFL.
The 2023 undrafted player (he signed with the Panthers but didn’t make the team) played in 13 games with the Vikings, becoming a playmaker for them late in the season, finishing the campaign with 18 tackles, one sack, six tackles for loss, and a pair of batted passes.
He should be considered the top reserve at this point. In the final weeks of the season, he snatched the starting job from Jerry Tillery, and re-signing him for a second season was a no-brainer.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt