The Vikings have deployed a nickel defense quite often in the past. That means Minnesota had just two linebackers on the field — with Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr being the main options.
The nickel spells less playing time for even the third linebacker on the depth chart. However, with the addition of Dom Capers to the coaching staff, Minnesota could start to use different packages.
A player like rookie linebacker Troy Dye could be a beneficiary. Dye a rookie, isn’t likely to beat out Kendricks or Barr for playing time, but might be the third or fourth option at his position. For that to happen, he will have to adjust to the NFL as a rookie. So far, so good, according to Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer.
Here’s what Zimmer said about the rookie so far:
“I’m comfortable with the depth there,” Zimmer said of his linebackers (H/T 247 Sports).
“I think Troy Dye has come in here and done a nice job of developing. He’s playing multiple positions for us and can fill in a number of spots.”
We’ll have to see if Dye ends up earning more playing time than linebackers such as Eric Wilson and Ben Gedeon.