3 Vikings Who Are Fighting For Their 2022 Roster Spot: Defense Edition
I don’t want to get too far ahead myself. After all, there’s still a full offseason to discuss these matters. Nevertheless, one thought I’ve had is that there are several players who are fighting for their purple future. As a result, I’m going to be doing a mini-series to breakdown which Vikings are auditioning for their 2022 roster spot.
We begin with the defense.
Michael Pierce
The issue isn’t ability, or lack thereof. The issue is availability, or lack thereof.
Pierce was brought in as Linval Joseph’s replacement heading into the 2020 season. No one could foresee how Covid would impact the year. Pierce decided to opt-out, a choice I totally respect. That said, one wonders if it’ll factor into Minnesota’s decision-making this offseason. Signed almost two years ago, Pierce has played 7 games. These next three, then, are of supreme importance.
Getting under next year’s salary cap will involve some financial gymnastics. A post-June 1 cut for Pierce means the Vikings gain $8.5 million in cap space while leaving behind $2 million, per Over the Cap. What will Pierce show that justifies this financial investment? Of course, there are options other than just a cut or being kept on the current deal. The numbers could get shuffled around; the NT could be traded. The broader point remains, though, that his cap hit is tough to justify.
Putting together three elite performances – especially if it involves a Minnesota march toward the playoffs – will go a long win in solidifying the need to retain Pierce.
Nick Vigil
My expectation is that Anthony Barr will be long gone in 2022. Eric Kendricks should still be the man in the middle, but there isn’t too much beyond him. Blake Lynch, Troy Dye, and Chazz Surratt may all end up being good depth. Even still, none currently inspire confidence in a starter’s role. Of the three, Lynch has shown the most.
Nick Vigil may be a band-aid solution for 2022.
The 28-year-old LB is currently in his sixth season. He thinks the game at a high level, as evidenced by his ability to call the plays when Barr has been absent. Moreover, Zim has been complimentary of his fit within the defense and ability to step up. I don’t imagine anyone will be overjoyed by Vigil as the team’s LB2, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a good option. He is making a mere $1.7 million. That kind of value is hard to beat, especially since next year’s cap will be so snug.
Over these next three games, look for Vigil to be a solid all around LB. Being able to provide good play in both run and pass defense is enough for a LB making less than $2 million.
Cameron Dantzler
Gotta give a shout out to Sam on this one, my co-host for our Vikings podcast, Notes from the North. He mentioned Cameron Dantzler in his portion of things, explaining that it’s not so much an issue of whether he’ll be on the roster but, rather, what kind of role he’ll have. Sam, as he often is, is exactly right.
Bashaud Breeland is now looking for work, so Dantzler got elevated to CB2. If he has a strong finish to the season, what does that mean for his roster spot moving forward? If he has a poor finish to the season, what does that mean for his roster spot moving forward?
In 2022, Dantzler will be a third-year corner with upside at a cheap price, so expect him to be on the Vikings roster. Ideally, that’ll be as the team’s bonafide #2 corner. Dantzler has the talent to do really great things, but he needs to avoid the mental lapses that lead to awful mistakes (like the Lions games this season; like the Seattle game last season).
A great run defender, Dantzler can also be great in coverage. He needs to show that over these next three weeks.
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The Honorable Mentions
Anthony Barr, Patrick Peterson, and Xavier Woods. Sheldon Richardson, Mackensie Alexander, and Kris Boyd. All of these players will be looking to put good things on tape.
Obviously, Peterson and Barr have plenty of impressive tape from their careers. Nevertheless, football is a future-oriented sport. No one cares how good they were in 2017. What executives want to see is talent in the present that foreshadows solid future production. Forced to bet at this precise moment, I’d say both are in different jerseys next season.
Of the names listed up top, I’m perhaps most intrigued by Woods and Boyd. The basic fact is that they’re quite young, an important detail for a defense that will need an offseason overhaul. There are pieces in place for the 2022 Vikings defense, but the roster will need to be fixed up. These two may be valuable contributors insofar as they can play a role in the secondary on value deals.
Anyone I missed? If so, let me know on Twitter @VikingsGazette.
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