The Vikings’ defense will look slightly different when they hit the field this fall. In particular, the Minnesota defensive line that lost star Danielle Hunter to free agency and role player DJ Wonnum is no longer with the team. However, Minnesota filled the need for free agency by adding Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. The Vikings also drafted star Edge rusher Dallas Turner out of Alabama.
That sounds like a good fit for the Vikings in ’24, right? Well, not to everyone.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Vikings’ defensive line is ranked 30th in football. Only the Broncos and Cardinals are ranked behind Minnesota.
The Vikings’ offseason free agency swap of Danielle Hunter for Jonathan Greenardwas likely a downgrade, even if they got younger and cheaper in the process. Andrew Van Ginkel earned a 91.1 PFF overall grade last season, but that was a massive outlier in a career that has typically seen him post grades in the 60s and 70s.
Rookie Dallas Turner will have high expectations, but the interior of this line is a weakness.
The interior line is a bit concerning outside of Harrison Phillps, who is a solid football player. There is still time for the Vikings to shore up the interior line, but it does feel like there are enough Edge rushers to get the job done.