The Vikings defensive line is expected to look very different in 2020, but that doesn’t mean the group will regress.
Minnesota saw Linval Joseph sign with the Chargers in free agency. The Vikings added Michael Pierce, who can probably replace Joseph’s production. Read about what Pierce brings to the Vikings here. Joseph was good for Minnesota, but he was in decline. Pierce could very well be better.
There’s also Everson Griffen. Griffen announced he was leaving the Vikings this offseason, and Minnesota will have to at least prepare for him to not be back, despite Griffen not signing with another team just yet.
So that leaves two new starters among the four spots on the defensive line. The team still has Danielle Hunter and Shamar Stephen. Hunter is coming off a season where he had 14.5 sacks.
Barring anything unexpected, Hunter will be starting for the Vikings. Stephen was decent as a starter, but he will likely be in a position battle with several candidates.
Now, here are three storylines surrounding the defensive line: