Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings defense is supposed to take a major step forward in 2024.
For the most part, Brian Flores did tremendous work in Year 1 as the DC. True, there were rough stretches at the beginning and end of the season, but Flores still pushed his crew to 13th best in the NFL for points allowed. He did so with a cluster of talent that was pretty average and no shortage of injury trouble. The group below looks more formidable. Consider who I think will make the final roster (or, at least, who I foresee making the roster before training camp and the preseason).
The Vikings Defense Roster Projection
Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches his team play against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Edge Rusher:
EDGE1: Jonathan Greenard
EDGE2: Andrew Van Ginkel
EDGE3: Dallas Turner
EDGE4: Jihad Ward
EDGE5: Andre Carter
Defensive Line:
DT/DE1: Harrison Phillips
DT/DE2: Jaquelin Roy
DT/DE3: Jerry Tillery
DT/DE4: Jonathan Bullard
DT/DE5: Levi Drake Rodriguez
Linebacker:
LB1: Ivan Pace Jr.
LB2: Blake Cashman
LB3: Kamu Grugier-Hill
LB4: Brian Asamoah
Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II (33) leaps over the celebration pile late during the fourth quarter after an interception by safety Camryn Bynum (24) off New York Jets quarterback Mike White (5) sealed the victory at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Corner:*
CB1: Byron Murphy Jr.
CB2: Shaq Griffin
CB3: Mekhi Blackmon
CB4: Akayleb Evans
CB5: Andrew Booth Jr.
CB6: Dwight McGlothern
Safety:
S1: Harrison Smith
S2: Josh Metellus
S3: Camryn Bynum
S4: Theo Jackson
S5: Jay Ward
* Originally, Khyree Jackson was in my projection for the Vikings defense. The corner has since passed away in a tragic car accident.
Before training camp arrives, I’ll be doing a position-by-position roster projection in an effort to understand what the final 53-man roster could look like. Once training camp and the preseason unfold, we can swing back around to the projections to see about any adjustments. Entries: Quarterback, Running Back, Tight End, Wide Receiver, Offensive Line (Complete Offense), Defensive Line, Edge Rusher, Linebacker, Corner, and Safety.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.
Source link : https://purpleptsd.com/2024/vikings/opinion/complete-vikings-defense-ros/
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Publish date : 2024-07-14 09:15:00
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