Projecting the Minnesota Vikings' defensive depth chart in 2023
There might not be a team with more questions on one side of the ball than the Minnesota Vikings have on defense.
Last season they were one of the worst units in the NFL under defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, but with Brian Flores now in charge the game plan will go from conservative to aggressive and the Vikings hope it yields significantly better results.
Flores, like Donatell, will run a 3-4 base defense. Here's what the depth chart could look like, though this is a tough projection since it's still unclear what the Vikings will do with linebackers Danielle Hunter and Za'Darius Smith.
Related: Projecting the Vikings' offensive depth chart after the NFL Draft
Defensive line
Starters: Dean Lowry, Khyriris Tonga, Harrison Phillips
Backups: Esezi Otomewo, Jonathan Bullard, Ross Blacklock, James Lynch, Kenny Willekes, and T.J. Smith, Jaquelin Roy, Sheldon Day and Calvin Avery.
There aren't many questions about the starters as Lowry, after signing as a free agent, projects to be the starting left defensive end. Tonga is in the middle after a strong first season in Minnesota, but has to fill the big shoes left behind by Dalvin Tomlinson singing with the Browns, and Phillips is back for his second season as the right defensive end.
The backups include ends Esezi Otomewo, Jonathan Bullard, Ross Blacklock, James Lynch, Kenny Willekes, and T.J. Smith. The backups at nose tackle feature rookie fifth-round pick Jaquelin Roy (LSU), Sheldon Day and Calvin Avery.
Outside linebackers
Starters: Danielle Hunter, Za'Darius Smith
Backups: Marcus Davenport, D.J. Wonnum, Patrick Jones II, Andre Carter II, Luiji Vilain, Benton Whitley
This is where things get weird, because Hunter wants a new contract and Za'Darius reportedly asked to be released. Both could be on the roster or both could be gone. Maybe one stays and one goes.
If both go, Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum or Patrick Jones II could slot in as starters. If one goes, Davenport would be the favorite to take the other starting job. And don't forget about Andre Carter II, to whom the Vikings gave a record-setting contract as an undrafted free agent.
Hunter could be viewed as a critical piece to the Vikings finding quarterback Kirk Cousins's replacement. Why? Because they could trade him for a first-round pick and still try to compete this season and then package first-round picks to move up in next year's draft to take a quarterback. Do the Vikings see it that way?
Insider linebackers
Starters: Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah
Backups: Troy Dye, Troy Reeder, Ivan Pace Jr. William Kwenkeu, Wilson Huber, Abraham Beauplan
The starting inside linebackers will almost certainly be Hicks and Asamoah, the latter taking the role of longtime middle linebacker Eric Kendricks, who signed with the Chargers. Troy Dye and Troy Reeder are the backups, though all eyes will be on Ivan Pace Jr. (Cincinnati) in training camp since he has already informed the 31 teams who passed on him in the draft that "Ya’ll Done F***** Up."
Cornerbacks
Starters: Andrew Booth Jr., Akayleb Evans, Byron Murphy Jr.
Backups: Joejuan Williams, Mekhi Blackmon, Jay Ward, Tay Gowan, Kalon Barnes, Jaylin Williams, NaJee Thompson
If Booth and Evans aren't healthy, which they weren't for a big part of their rookie season in 2022, the Vikings will have major questions at cornerback. Either way, the corners fighting for playing time against them will be Joejuan Williams (a former second-round pick who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury), third-round pick Mekhi Blackmon (USC) and fourth-round pick Jay Ward (LSU).
Youth at cornerback is usually a recipe for disaster in the NFL, but maybe Flores is the secret sauce to getting the most out of this young group.
Safeties
Starters: Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum
Backups: Lewis Cine, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson
Harrison Smith is a lock, obviously, but Bynum's starting job will be a fight against Lewis Cine, who is on his way back from the devastating lower leg injury he suffered in London against the Saints. If Cine is as good as advertised coming out of Georgia in 2022, he could be a difference maker in the secondary – especially with his ability to play all over the field like he did in college.
Metellus will also be interesting to watch because he was actually better than Smith based on PFF grades last season. He might be the real deal, though there's no question he's still behind Harry the Hitman on the depth chart.
