Throwback Thursday: That Was Then. This Is Now.

Maybe it was the disappointing end to a frustrating season. Maybe it was the bleak salary cap situation. The once strong defense was a mess. Those that follow the Minnesota Vikings weren’t too optimistic about the future of the team. About a month ago, the more pessimistic wanted to blow up the team. After a couple of days of legal tampering and a single day of actual free agency, optimism surrounding the Vikings seems to be returning. Perhaps it’s the manipulation of the salary cap that allowed for the free agent additions of Dalvin Tomlinson and Patrick Peterson. Perhaps it’s simply the patience that people should have this time of year. Whatever it is, it starts with the defense that the Vikings now have on paper. The best way to view that defense is to take another look at the defense that was on the field for much of the 2020 season. 

RE	Jalyn Holmes
DT	Jaleel Johnson
NT	Shamar Stephen
LE	Ifeadi Odenigbo
LB	Eric Wilson
LB	Erick Kendricks
LB	Todd Davis
CB	Cam Dantzler
CB	Jeff Gladney
S	Harrison Smith
S	Anthony Harris

Despite some heroic efforts (Wk 6 vs Seahawks, Wk 8 vs Packers) this defense was often overmatched. Injuries and an opt-out took away most of the front line players for all or most of the season. When Alvin Kamara ran wild it was against a defense that more resembled one seen in the fourth game of a preseason. The Vikings needed to get their players back. They also needed more. Just a day into the 2021 offseason, they’ve added more. This is the defense that the Vikings now have on paper.

RE	Danielle Hunter
DT	Dalvin Tomlinson
NT	Michael Pierce
DE	D.J. Wonnum
LB	Anthony Barr
LB	Erick Kendricks
LB	Nick Vigil/Troy Dye/?
CB	Cam Dantzler
CB	Patrick Peterson
S	Harrison Smith
S	?

The Vikings are in nickel for at least 2/3 of the defensive snaps. The third linebacker comes off the field and cornerback Jeff Gladney enters to cover the slot. A cornerback trio of Cam Dantzler and Patrick Peterson on the outside and Gladney on the inside is exciting. On and off the field, the veteran Peterson will be a boost for the young, talented corners. With those young, talented corners having a year of NFL experience and a mentor in the room, perhaps the Vikings safeties can now do less baby-sitting and more safety things. 

The defensive remolding isn’t complete. The Vikings obviously need a safety. The only safeties on the roster not named Harrison Smith are a late-round pick (Josh Metellus) and undrafted free agents (Myles Dorn and Luther Kirk). The pass rush outside of Danielle Hunter is an unknown. D.J. Wonnum had some impressive moments as a rookie. His raw talent has been compared to an early-career Hunter. Perhaps Wonnum has a similar progression. Until that happens he’s still an unknown. 

Despite the questions that remain, it’s easy to feel much better about the Vikings defense now. 

It’s time to fix that offensive line.