Minnesota’s Defensive Line is Looking Increasingly Formidable
K. Joudry
|
A lot went wrong last season. As a result, basically everyone connected to our Minnesota Vikings – management, coaches, players, fans – are hoping for a major bounce back from several position groups. The defensive line is usually among the team’s strongest position groups, but roster turnover, injuries, and Covid ensured that 2020 would be a long season (especially in run defense).
Heading into the 2021 season, things look considerably different up front.
Michael Pierce is back, Danielle Hunter looks healthy, and Dalvin Tomlinson was signed. Multiple d-linemen were drafted; Everson Griffen and Stephen Weatherly were brought back. The end result is an impressive group on paper. The key words in that last sentence, of course, are “on paper.” Like the rest of the NFL, all we really have now is potential and hope. The d-line will actually need to get out there and perform.
With some concern surrounding the linebacker depth, the DTs will need to be huge (pun fully intended). Take a look at the above video and the brief few words. Blake Lynch – the LB – was successful largely because of what Pierce is able to do. Defenses, ideally, will be able to make plays behind the line of scrimmage on a consistent basis. It’s nearly impossible to do so, though, if the DTs get pushed way back in the run game. Pierce gobbles up two blockers, firmly holding his ground. The end result is Lynch’s ability to work his down the line for the tackle. Zim is hoping for a lot of that this season.
Now, partner the powerful DTs with an impressive collection of veteran and young edge rushers. Everson Griffen should be a tremendously valuable piece on third downs. He likely won’t start over Wonnum or Weatherly at this stage, but that’s alright. The line has enough depth to have Griffen in a role that fits his skills, and that’s even after the season-ending injury to Janarius Robinson. His 6 sacks from last year would have led our squad. It won’t be at all surprising if he hits 8 sacks this year.
For what it’s worth, it looks like Wonnum is in the lead for the job opposite Hunter. Fans should expect him to look stronger given that the talent around him is remarkably better. Partner that reality with some personal growth and Wonnum may end up surprising some people.
Armon Watts and Sheldon Richardson are both backups, but they’re going to end up creating issues for opposing offenses. And then what happens when Danielle Hunter starts drawing consistent double teams? Well, one of those DTs are going to collapse the pocket. Either that or the LBs will have a ton of room to operate. If teams refuse to double Danielle, he may be able to replicate his back-to-back 14.5 sack seasons from before his neck injury.
I know a lot can go wrong for our Vikings; I’ve been following this team long enough to know that things often go poorly for our friends in purple. At this point, though, the defensive line is looking really promising, and that gives me a lot of hope as the season nears.