A Defensive Overhaul?

The Minnesota Vikings defense has undergone a near complete overhaul since head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were hired after the 2021 season. Only safety Harrison Smith remains from the best days of the Mike Zimmer era. Old and diminishing talent combined with Ed Donatell’s shockingly passive schemes combined for a horrible defense in 2022. Brian Flores somehow put together an improved and competent defense last year. The Vikings defense needed an overhaul and this offseason has pretty much completed it. 

This offseason’s defensive arrivals:

Jonathan Greenard, OLB

Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB

Blake Cashman, LB

Jerry Tillery, DL

Jonah Williams, DL

Shaquill Griffin, CB

Defensive departures:

Danielle Hunter, OLB

D.J. Wonnum, OLB

Marcus Davenport, OLB

Khyiris Tonga, DT

Jordan Hicks, LB

Here’s a then and now look at the Vikings defensive overhaul:

2021 Vikings Defense

DE	Danielle Hunter
DT	Armon Watts
DT	Dalvin Tomlinson
DE	Everson Griffen
LB	Anthony Barr
LB	Eric Kendricks
LB	Nick Vigil
CB	Patrick Peterson
CB	Bashaud Breeland
S	Harrison Smith
S	Xavier Woods

Only Harrison Smith

Current 2024 Vikings Defense

DE	Jerry Tillery
NT	Harrison Phillips
DE	Jaquelin Roy
OLB	Jonathan Greenard
LB	Ivan Pace Jr.
LB	Blake Cashman
OLB	Andrew Van Ginkel
CB	Byron Murphy Jr.
CB	Mekhi Blackman
S	Harrison Smith
S	Cam Bynum
NB	Josh Metellus

In his first year as the Vikings defensive coordinator, Brian Flores found a way to play Josh Metellus all over the defense. I expect more of the same this year. Due to his versatility and Flores’ willingness to play him anywhere, it’s impossible to pencil Metellus in at any one position. Calling him a nickel back is easy. It’s also misleading. He plays linebacker or pass rusher as often as he’s in coverage. Josh Metellus is everywhere. 

It was brutal to see Danielle Hunter leave in free agency. Since he was drafted in 2015, he’s been one of my favorites. It was easy to admire his quiet excellence. If he had to leave, it was good to see him return home to Houston. If I had to endure the combined loss of Danielle Hunter and Harrison Smith, I’m not sure where I’d be emotionally. 

I really like what the Vikings have been able to do with modest resources. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel are probably better fits for Flores’ defense than D.J. Wonnum, Marcus Davenport, and even Danielle Hunter. The latter three are very good pass rushers but more traditional defensive ends than outside linebackers. I really like the current state of the Vikings linebackers, inside and outside. Ivan Pace Jr. emerged as a defensive star last season as an undrafted rookie. Blake Cashman is a strong addition. Greenard and Van Ginkel will be a fun, versatile duo. Topped by Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum, safety remains a strong, deep group. Hopefully, 2022 first-round pick Lewis Cine finally emerges. Even if he does, I’m not sure where he plays. Backups and special teams stalwarts, Theo Jackson and Jay Ward can play. Cornerback continues to be something of a puzzle. It’s a young group. Byron Murphy Jr. is the veteran leader and he’s only 26. If nothing else, yesterday’s signing of Shaquille Griffin brings some much-needed experience and leadership to the group. The defensive line needs some work/additions. It’ll look a lot better if new addition Jerry Tillery plays to the talent that got him drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. At 6’6” and nearly 300lbs, he looks the part of a difference-making defensive lineman. Harrison Phillips is a solid player and team leader. I’m not sure if he’s at his best as a nose tackle. With the current defensive line group, he might play there by default. The Vikings could really use a big, 330lb, space- and block-eater. I like second-year Jaquelin Roy as a breakout candidate. If everything breaks the Vikings way with players reaching their real/imagined potential, a rotation of Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, Jaquelin Roy, and newly signed Jonah Williams could be effective. They just need that big guy in the middle. 

It’s a defensive overhaul.