The Minnesota Vikings Defense I’d Like To See

The reports on the Minnesota Vikings defense from the early days of OTAs are exciting. The Vikings needed to change from the passive bunch that let offenses do what they wanted last season. That change started with the hiring of Brian Flores. His impact has already impressed the Vikings offense.

“It’s crazy.”

“Intense” 

“Exotic”

Flores is already installing things the offensive players weren’t expecting until much later in the process. The offense is seeing things that they never saw from the defense last season. The offense is having to adjust to a defense in a non-contact practice in May much like they would have to adjust to a defense in a live game in October. That is a very exciting change. 

This year’s Vikings defense will be nothing like last year’s Vikings defense. That is exciting. Flores’ scheme is exciting. Other than the cornerbacks, it’s fairly easy to project this year’s starters in the scheme. It’s more fun to imagine the young players that have been specifically selected to play in that scheme.

DE	Esezi Otomewo
NT	Harrison Phillips
DE	Jaquelin Roy
OLB	Danielle Hunter
LB	Brian Asamoah
LB	Ivan Pace Jr.
OLB	Marcus Davenport
CB	Byron Murphy Jr.
CB	Andrew Booth Jr.
S	Harrison Smith
S	Lewis Cine

It’s fairly safe to say that veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks will be starting next to Brian Asamoah rather than Ivan Pace Jr. After all, Hicks is a proven and effective starter. Pace is an undrafted rookie. Especially during this season of change, the Vikings will need Hicks’ experience and leadership in the middle of the defense. I really like Pace and I expect him to pair nicely with Asamoah for many years. I just don’t expect it to start this year. Maybe we’ll see a peppering of the pairing through the season. 

I like rookie defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy more on the nose but wanted to keep Harrison Phillips there. For now. Roy is versatile so I doubt that he’ll ever be kept in a single position. I really like Esezi Otomewo’s potential. 

Other than Byron Murphy Jr., cornerback is wide open. Andrew Booth Jr., Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, and possibly Joejuan Williams are the top contenders to start opposite Murphy. In nickel, Murphy is expected to slide inside so both outside corner spots are open for those contenders. 

Harrison Smith is the old man of this defense. He’s nearing the end of his great career. I can’t wait to see him in Flores’ defense. Versatility is his strength and he’s at his best when he’s lining up all over the defense. He might not be the most vocal person but Smith will be a great mentor for young safeties Lewis Cine, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, and Jay Ward. Bynum and Ward have cornerback versatility. The ability to play different spots is critical in this defense. 

Front to back, no matter the personnel on the field, I’m excited to see the Vikings defense this season. I know that Flores will take advantage of his player’s traits and talents. It’s going to be fun. Other than a scattered big plays, the defense wasn’t fun last year.