The Minnesota Vikings defense was dealt a significant blow this week when defensive tackle Michael Pierce decided to opt out of playing this season. It's been a weird offseason. It's going to be a weird season. Pierce made his difficult decision because of health concerns during a global pandemic. His own health as well as the health of his family is more important than football. Both he and members of his family are at a greater risk than most due to serious asthma issues. No one can judge Pierce's decision. It's disappointing but it's his health.
And it was a horseshit move by Pro Football Talk to compare Cameron Heyward's asthma decision to the one that Pierce made. Two different people. Two different decisions. I didn't see them comparing the decisions of every player that opted out to those that didn't.
There was no new Vikings player that I was more excited to see this season than Pierce. He was signed in free agency to replace Linval Joseph as the team's block-eating, run-stuffing nose tackle. At a supposed 6'4" and 330lbs, Joseph looks like a mountain. At 6'-zero and 340lbs, Pierce looks like a boulder. I couldn't wait to see the Juggernaut on the football field. I'll just have to wait a little longer.
Without Pierce available, the Vikings enter training camp with seven defensive tackles on the roster.
Armon Watts
Jaleel Johnson
Shamar Stephen
Jalyn Holmes
James Lynch
Hercules Mata'afa
David Moa
After Joseph's departure and before Pierce's arrival, I was intrigued by the potential of Armon Watts and Jaleel Johnson in the middle of the Vikings defensive line. Watts flashed as a rookie at the end of last season. The Vikings had him spelling Joseph at nose tackle. Most current depth charts out there have Watts and Johnson at nose tackle with incumbent Shamar Stephen as the starter at three-technique. I'm not sure what Mike Zimmer and Andre Patterson have in mind without Pierce but I'd sure like to see Watts at three-technique and Johnson at nose. At 6'5" and 295 lbs, Watts simply looks more like a penetrating defensive tackle than a run-stuffing nose tackle. At 6'3" and 316 lbs, Johnson looks more the nose tackle part. Of course, looks and ability don't always tell the same story. The best interior run-stuffer on the team is Stephen. I'd prefer to see him play that role than three-technique. For too long, the missing ingredient on the Vikings defense has been a consistent interior pass rush. I think that Watts can fill that role. Jalyn Holmes was drafted in the fourth round in 2018 to potentially provide that missing ingredient. James Lynch was drafted in the fourth round this year for the same reason. Hercules Mata'afa has been the wildcard since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He's unique in that he's quick, strong, and little. At least he was little. He came into the league at about 250 lbs. He's supposedly closer to 290 lbs now. David Moa is an undrafted rookie so he's pretty much a mystery to me.
So, seven defensive tackles are currently on the roster. With Pierce, I thought that the Vikings might keep as many as six defensive tackles on the 53-man roster. The competition for roster spots was going to be so fierce I thought that the always reliable Stephen might be on the bubble. Without Pierce, it's a different story. Again, I'd like to see Watts and Johnson as the starting interior pair. But Johnson might not be the run-stuffer that the team needs. That player has to keep the linebackers clean. Johnson is playing for his second contract. He's had some nice moments and he might be the best combination of run-stuffer/pass rusher on the roster but does he provide enough of either? Especially run-stuffer, in my starting pair scenario. Stephen is a fundamentally sound football player and especially strong against the run but is that enough to keep him on the roster when so much more is needed from his position? If he starts, or doesn't start, I hope that he's on the roster as mostly a smallish nose tackle. Holmes, Lynch, and Mata'afa are the pass rushers of the group and are probably battling for two spots. Lynch is the most intriguing of the three and is probably in the lead despite not yet stepping on a football field for the Vikings. He might even wind up as the starter at three-technique. I can easily see that happening if the coaches see both Watts and Johnson as nose tackles.
In my opinion, the following defensive tackles will be on the Vikings roster.
Armon Watts
Jaleel Johnson
James Lynch
From there, I think that Shamar Stephen and Jalyn Holmes will join them. Hercules Mata'afa might force the team to still keep six. If he's at 290 lbs and can play as fast as he did at 250 lbs, he'd be tough to cut.
No matter how the starters shake out I'm sure that all of the defensive tackles will have a significant role. Rotation will be key on the defensive line without Pierce to anchor the middle of it.
Even though I've yet to see Michael Pierce in a Vikings uniform I'm going to miss him. I hope that he and his family stay safe and healthy.
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