The Minnesota Vikings 2021 defense will be a fun defense. On paper, it’s a deep defense. On paper, it’s a versatile defense. Perhaps the most deep and versatile defense in Mike Zimmer’s seven years with the team. The training camp competition for roster spots will be interesting. Here’s a look at the Vikings linebackers.
Linebackers
Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks have been a Vikings linebacking certainty since 2015. Last year might’ve been a glimpse into the future when Barr missed all but the first 1.5 games to an injury. He redid his contract this past offseason to provide some immediate cap relief in exchange for free agency next offseason. As a result, this season is currently scheduled to be the last of the Barr-Kendricks partnership. That’s a March issue. For now, Barr and Kendricks will again lead the linebackers and the defense. It’ll be fun to see them together again. With extra receivers being the norm in today’s pass-centric NFL, the Vikings play at least two-thirds of their defensive snaps with only two linebackers on the field. Barr and Kendricks. On the ever-decreasing snaps in which the Vikings are in their so-called base defense, three linebackers are on the field. The competition for that third linebacker role is wide open.
The contenders:
Cameron Smith
Nick Vigil
Troy Dye
Chazz Surratt
Ryan Connelly
Blake Lynch
Tuf Borland
Christian Elliss
Due simply to his selection in the third round of the most recent draft, Chazz Surratt can be penciled in as a roster certainty. He’s fairly new to the linebacker position as he entered North Carolina and played a couple seasons as a quarterback. It’s a remarkable transition. A transition that continues. His quarterback’s eye and quarterback past, make him a very interesting linebacker. His athletic ability make him an even more interesting linebacker. Even if he doesn’t take the third linebacker job this season his future at the position appears bright. While Surrratt further learns his position and the nuances of the Vikings defense he’ll play a significant role on special teams. Cameron Smith missed last season while recovering from heart surgery. That isn’t a typical football injury and there’s nothing typical about his return to football. His brush with a very serious health issue and renewed appreciation of his football opportunity make him a very intriguing player. Nick Vigil was signed this offseason. He played for senior defensive assistant coach Paul Guenther in Cincinnati so he’s familiar with Zimmer’s defense. His experience in the defense might be his greatest asset. While starting five games, Troy Dye had an up and down rookie season last year. Despite iffy reviews from the analytics community, I feel like the Vikings coaches really like his athletic ability and potential. I know that, as a Cal fan, I had grown quite tired of Dye during his four years at Oregon. There were games in which it felt like there were about six of him on the field. Going into training camp, I’d consider Smith, Vigil, and Dye the leading contenders for that third linebacker role. Surratt is the wildcard. Ryan Connelly was signed early last season. His addition to the roster was a blessing as injuries soon started to mount. Blake Lynch, Tuf Borland, and Christian Elliss entered the NFL through the undrafted route. Lynch last year. Borland and Elliss last year. Injuries forced Lynch to start one game. That was the Saints game. With injuries forcing the Vikings front seven to being little more than a speed bump for the Saints offense, Lynch made about 100 tackles.
If the Vikings keep six linebackers, I like Smith, Dye, Surratt, and Vigil joining Barr and Kendricks.
If the Vikings keep only five linebackers, I like Smith, Dye, and Surratt joining Barr and Kendricks.
Tomorrow: The Secondary.
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