The Vikings defense is going to look a lot different in 2020. With the losses of players such as Linval Joseph, Xavier Rhodes, Mackensie Alexander, Trae Waynes and the uncertain future of Everson Griffen, the defense is going to have to rely on some new faces.
Since Mike Zimmer took over as the head coach in 2014, the Vikings defense has been the team’s strong suit. The main reason for the defense performing so well year over year was mainly because of continuity, but that is set to change this upcoming season.
The team added Michael Pierce in free agency to attempt and replace Joseph but the team’s secondary is going to be full of new and unproven players. Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler will be paired up with Mike Hughes and Holton Hill, giving Zimmer a lot of young talent at the cornerback position.
It’s unlikely that the Vikings will have a cornerback up for Defensive Player of the Year, and due to the lack of reps, other players who have been in the system longer will have to step up. Here are three players on the Vikings roster that have the potential to be named Defensive Player of the Year at the end of the 2020 season.