Inside Linebackers
Ivan Pace Jr.
Blake Cashman
Eric Wilson
Brian Asamoah
Kobe King
Max Tooley
Dorian Mausi
Austin Keys
The outside linebackers get most of the team’s linebacking attention. The inside linebackers are literally the center of the Vikings versatile defense. Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. make the calls and set the tone. Cashman is a bit more versatile in that he can cover more area in pass defense. Pace’s strengths are more downhill. With his twisting and turning ways he’s like the Tasmanian devil rushing the quarterback. Both are excellent against the run. Eric Wilson returns to Minnesota after four years away. Three of those years were spent in the wasteland of Green Bay. He was signed in the offseason mostly for his special teams talents but he also provides solid support on defense. Brian Asamoah has carved out a special teams role in his three years with the team. Unless the Vikings keep five linebackers, Asamoah’s continued Vikings career will be seriously challenged by sixth-round rookie Kobe King. The Vikings were probably stunned that King was still available in the sixth round. He should’ve been selected at least two rounds earlier. While it could be a few years away, King is likely considered an eventual replacement for Cashman. The rookie was excellent against the run at Penn State. While he isn’t quite to Cashman’s level in pass coverage, King has the talent to get there. Pace, Cashman, and King are roster locks. Wilson is close to it. Max Tooley was signed to the practice squad last September and signed a reserve/future contract in January. Austin Keys and Dorian Mausi were signed as undrafted free agents last month. Of Tooley, Keys, and Mausi, Keys has the most intriguing potential. Each could force the Vikings to keep five linebackers. More likely, they are competing for practice squad spots.
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