An Overlooked Roster Need for The Vikings
K. Joudry
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If – God forbid – something happens to either Eric Kendricks or Jordan Hicks, the Vikings will find themselves in a tricky spot at linebacker.
In fairness, linebacker may be the least important position in Ed Donatell’s defense. EDGE and corner are the clear-cut top two spots. Without being able to pressure the QB and/or cover the opposition’s receivers, the defense will pretty much be unable to function. From there, one thinks of the DTs. Minnesota will need their Tomlinson-Phillips-Watts trio make a difference, overwhelming the iOL with consistency.
While some may disagree, I’d put safety at a higher priority than linebacker. Harrison Smith, according to HC Kevin O’Connell, is the perfect player for the system. Camryn Bynum still needs to prove a lot, but he looks like he’ll end up being a great option in this defense. His range should serve him well. Both will be tasked with making plays at the line of scrimmage and 40 yards downfield.
The Vikings’ linebacker duo will have their own responsibilities. Both will need to be really active, especially Kendricks. The veteran is going to get his chances to take on players one-on-one in coverage, and he’ll need to make open-field tackles in the flats while also being able to make plays between the tackles. In short, he’s going to do a bit of everything.
The issue will arise when the team deals with an injury or two. In their base formation, Kendricks and Hicks will be the two middle LBs. Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter will be the two OLBs, flanking the 3 interior DTs. That’s a front seven that can compete, one that ought to create issues against both the run and the pass.
After Kendricks and Hicks, though, the team only has Chazz Surratt, Troy Dye, Blake Lynch, Tuf Borland, and Ryan Connolly. Of the bunch of depth options, Dye and Lynch have accomplished the most, but it’s hard to be overly confident that either could be a long-term solution if needed. Both have good length; both would benefit from being more rugged.
The draft offers several players whom the Vikings might consider. Devin Lloyd and Nakobe Dean are likely going in the opening round, or perhaps high in the second. In other words, they’ll likely be too high for the Vikings. One thinks of Damone Clark as an option, an LSU linebacker who played for current Vikings DB coach Daronte Jones. As a player who likely goes in the third round (at least based on the TDN rankings), Clark could conceivably be the depth Minnesota needs behind its top two. Other names to remember include Chad Muma, Christian Harris, and Brian Asamoah.
Minnesota’s focus rests in competing in 2022, though they’d be wise to start planning for life beyond this season. Anthony Barr and Nick Vigil are gone; Hicks and Kendricks are older. Bringing in a strong linebacker can help the Vikings in both the present and the future.
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