Dallas Turner has a chance to be the Vikings' best pass rusher as a rookie. (Photo by Kevork ... [+]
The Minnesota Vikings knew they were facing a critical offseason as soon as they concluded their final game against the Detroit Lions in 2023. The Vikings had fallen from first place in 2022 to a tie for third with the Chicago Bears and their two most important players were both free agents.
It was relatively easy to come to the conclusion Kirk Cousins was no longer the man under center. While he threw a beautiful pass, was beloved by his teammates and left it all on the field every week, he could not beat the good teams with any consistency and he was also coming off an Achilles injury that cost him more than half the season. At the age of 35, the Vikings came to the conclusion that Cousins was not worth the investment.
However, Danielle Hunter certainly was the right guy to bring back. The Vikings had improved dramatically on defense last year and Hunter (career high 16.5 sacks) was clearly the best player on defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ unit. Somehow, Hunter was not interested in remaining with the Vikings and he signed with the surging Houston Texans. Hunter was rewarded with a two-year, $49 million deal and he will be the best player on the Houston defense in the 2024 season.
The Vikings have made a myriad of moves on defense to counter the loss of Hunter, and there are many observers who will tell all who will listen that the Minnesota defense will be better than it was a year ago. This is despite the fact that they lost their 29-year-old leader who clearly had the ability to punish opponents.
Yes, they have made changes. But any improvement will have to be seen to be believed. Several of the new players – Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard and Blake Cashman – have established themselves as good NFL players. But none of them have demonstrated true leadership. When it comes to defensive play in the NFL, teams need players who will tell their teammates to jump on their backs and follow their lead.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores of the Vikings has much to overcome after leading sacker Danielle ... [+]
That’s what Hunter did in Minnesota. That’s what T.J. Watt does in Pittsburgh, Roquan Smith does in Baltimore, Myles Garrett in Cleveland and Chris Jones in Kansas City. Great defensive teams need a dominant player to set the tone.
The most important aspect of defensive play in the modern NFL is the ability to pressure the passer. The Vikings are depending on Greenard and Van Ginkel to thrive in their new environment while also believing that rookie defensive end Dallas Turner will make an easy transition from one professional program – the Alabama Crimson Tide – to another in the Vikings.
Nick Saban demanded greatness from his defensive players, and Turner rewarded him with 53 tackles, 10.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in his final year at Alabama. It may be easier for Turner to make his transition to the Vikings than Greenard or Van Ginkel because he was a true leader under Saban.
The X-factor on the defense will be Cashman. He is a tackling machine and that’s the kind of player the Vikings desperately need. Any time Cashman can get his hands on an opposing running back or receiver, that player is going down. He can also shed blockers with the best at his position in the NFL.
If the Vikings can’t get significant pressure from their pass rushers, the secondary will withstand the worst of that weakness. This is a part of the team that will not scare any of their opponents in the NFC North.
Cornerbacks Akayleb Evans and Byron Murphy are average, and that means they will struggle when asked to cover the game's elite receivers. Perhaps rookie Khyree Jackson can help, but he was a fourth-round selection out of Oregon and has much to learn before Flores can count on him.
Safeties Harrison Smith and Cam Bynum are coming off a good year, but Smith is 35 and is nearing the finish line. Bynum is improving and sees the game well from the free safety slot, but he needs some help from his mates in the secondary.
The questions on defense are all exacerbated by the change at quarterback. Eventually, J.J. McCarthy should become a productive player. Until that happens, head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings will depend on retread signal caller Sam Darnold to get the job done.
Asking for anything more than a .500 season appears to be something that is out of reach in the suddenly imposing NFC North.
