New Minnesota Vikings Defense

What a difference a day makes. Despite being only a week into free agency, many were moaning about the activity, or lack of activity, of the Minnesota Vikings. Before the NFL’s annual spending spree “officially” started, the Vikings had already added two new defensive starters in defensive tackle Harrison Phillips and linebacker Jordan Hicks. Two new starters and the offseason had just begun. Still, there were gripes that the new Vikings decision-makers were content with “running it back.” Somehow, a team with a new general manager, new head coach, new coaching staff, new trainer, new defensive scheme manned by what was sure to be mostly new players was “running it back.” A day of no new signings is apparently a sign of apathy and/or contentment. Anyway, all those moans turned to mania yesterday when the Vikings signed former Green Bay Packers pass rusher Za’Darius Smith. Since his Minnesota visit was announced on Monday, Vikings fans have reversed their views of the team’s new decision-makers. This was a move that the critics didn’t think that the new Vikings decision-makers could or would make. There’s no “running it back.” There’s only a commitment to getting better. On paper, in mid-March, the Minnesota Vikings have gotten better. The free agency focus has been on the defense. It’s a defense that needed improvements. After a week of free agency, here’s the new Minnesota Vikings defense. 

DE	Dalvin Tomlinson
NT	Harrison Phillips
DE	James Lynch
OLB	Danielle Hunter
ILB	Eric Kendricks
ILB	Jordan Hicks
OLB	Za’Darius Smith
CB	Cameron Dantzler
CB	Kris Boyd
S	Harrison Smith
S	Camryn Bynum

Other than general depth, the front seven looks set. One might even be so bold as to see the front seven looks great. A defensive line of Dalvin Tomlinson-Harrison Phillips-James Lynch is an early guess. At about 320lbs, Tomlinson is the closest to the girth that’s usually expected over the center. During his introductory press conference, Phillips specifically mentioned playing nose tackle in this defense. I’m going with that. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a rotation of Tomlinson, Phillips, and Armon Watts through all of the defensive line positions. I like Lynch’s potential as an interior pass rusher. As such, I like him to emerge as a starter. The versatility of the Vikings defensive linemen should make for a varied and fun front. The linebackers are easy to project. They look like a group that can rip apart an offense. They will be the heart of the defense. 

The secondary is a whole other story. I like the safety duo of Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum. I get that Bynum is unproven but he’ll be fine. I saw too much of his potential at Cal to believe otherwise. Cornerback is the team’s biggest question mark. After adding an elite edge player, cornerback likely becomes the free agency focus of the Vikings. It’ll probably be the focus at the top of the draft as well. 

It’s time to end this “running it back” nonsense. New defensive coaches. New defensive scheme. Nothing is the same on that side of the ball. The only starters last year that project as starters this year are Dalvin Tomlinson, Eric Kendricks, and Harrison Smith. Cameron Dantzler eventually stepped into the starting lineup. This is a new Vikings defense in scheme and makeup. I can’t wait to see them on the field.