Report: Vikings’ D.J. Wonnum gets the first-team reps at right defensive end in practice

How would you feel if D.J. Wonnum ended up being a starter for the Vikings in 2021?

The Vikings signed Everson Griffen this week, but Griffen will be used more as a situational player, according to Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer.

So that leaves an opening on the defensive line opposite Danielle Hunter. Right now, D.J. Wonnum seems to be winning that spot.

Per multiple reports, Wonnum took first-team reps in the team’s scrimmage Tuesday, so signs point to him winning the right defensive end spot. Wonnum is mostly competing with Stephen Weatherly for the position at this point.

Weatherly is coming off a season with the Panthers where he tallied zero sacks in nine games. He admitted he got complacent in Carolina. He still has a chance to win the starting spot, but he doesn’t appear to be the front runner as of now.

Wonnum had three sacks in two starts and 14 games in 2020. Starting either Wonnum or Weatherly will be concerning for the Vikings, because the team will be hoping for big improvement from one of them. However, the rest of Minnesota’s defensive line is stellar, which should lead to some favorable matchups for the starter at right defensive end.