Questions Answered: The 3rd EDGE Rusher, Non-Irv Breakout Seasons, Lynch as Odd Man Out

Bryant McKinnie and Will Goodwin Chat Vikings-Lions
Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.

The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the May 21st edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.

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Q: Who will be the Vikings third pass-rusher after Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith — or if something happens to one of those players?

Vikings Defense
Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum (98) and defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) celebrates a sack of Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

A: D.J. Wonnum.

This campaign is an important one for Wonnum, who is entering his third tour of duty. This is right around the time players make-or-break and emerge-or-sink in the big leagues. Wonnum has found ways to register plenty of sacks in his various roles, and he will be called upon when Smith or Hunter are on the sidelines.

It just so happens that Mike Zimmer helped groom him for this 3-4 job when he stood Wonnum up as a linebacker last summer.

Q: Of course, there’s always chatter about an Irv Smith Jr. breakout season, but who else would you nominate for breakout-season potential?

Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Armon Watts (96) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

A: So, rookies with high draft stock — during the summer after their draft selection — can’t really be considered “breakout” guys, right? It would be dumb to call Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth men sitting on breakout seasons. Let’s ixnay high-round rookies that were just drafted for “duh” reasons.

Here are our breakout candidates for 2022 not named Irv Smith Jr. (because everyone forecasts him) —

  • Ihmir Smith-Marsette
  • Kellen Mond
  • Chris Reed
  • Chandon Sullivan
  • Jaylen Twyman
  • Armon Watts

Our list won’t be 100% correct, but those are names to keep in mind. And Mond is listed in the event Cousins gets injured.

Q: Does James Lynch fit on the 2022 Vikings 53-man depth chart?

Vikings get a critical win in Chicago
Dec 20, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) is tackled in the second quarter against Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle James Lynch (92) at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

A: Stranger things have happened, but, no, probably not on Lynch.

Stylistically, Lynch is a 4-3 defender. Like — the prototypical 4-3 pass rusher. Lynch might’ve crawled up the depth chart with Zimmer still in charge but doing so in Ed Donatell’s defense is a taller climb.

He’s a pass-rusher through and through. Lynch isn’t ideal for standing up as a linebacker. And then he doesn’t stop the run well with a hand in the ground on the defensive line.

We predict Lynch as a cut when the 53-man roster hits in September.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

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