The Vikings drafted Danielle Hunter in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and he worked his way up the depth chart to become one of Minnesota’s best defensive players.
Hunter became a starter when Everson Griffen was still on the team, so naturally he fit in at the left-sided defensive end. Now that Griffen is gone, will Hunter end up on the other side of the defensive line?
Vikings co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson gave reporters a definitive answer on that Friday:
“He got to 50 sacks faster than anybody in NFL history, Patterson said, via Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune. “Why would you move someone who does something great?”
So according to Patterson, Hunter will stay where he has played at in the past. Hunter is really the only solidified defensive lineman available for 2020, after Michael Pierce opted out.
The Vikings also return starter Shamar Stephen, but he has struggled at times in the three-technique spot for the team. The defensive tackle spots are pretty wide open at this point.
Ifeadi Odenigbo is the probable candidate to start opposite Hunter at defensive end.