Vikings' Edge Rusher Unit, For Now, Ranked as NFL's Best

The Vikings could tumble down the rankings if they end up trading or releasing one of their stars.

As things stand right now, the Vikings have the best collection of edge rushers in the NFL. At least, that's how ESPN analyst Mike Clay sees it. 

With offseason pickup Marcus Davenport joining Danielle Hunter and Za'Darius Smith, the Vikings' "edge department" tops Clay's rankings, one spot ahead of a Chargers group led by Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

2023 NFL Edge Rusher Unit Ranks and Depth Charts.

This league has some incredible duos...but the Vikings addition of Marcus Davenport gets them to the top. pic.twitter.com/hoTBhT43gg

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) May 10, 2023

It's a justified ranking. Smith and Hunter are both three-time Pro Bowlers coming off ten-sack seasons in which they ranked in the top eight in the league in pressures. Each has multiple seasons of at least 12.5 sacks to their name. Back in 2019, they finished first and second in pressures among all players. When healthy, they're dominant forces.

Now add Davenport to that mix. He's a big, ultra-athletic former first-round pick who had inconsistent sack production but steadily strong pressure numbers and PFF grades during five seasons in New Orleans. After joining Minnesota on a one-year prove-it deal, Davenport will be fired up to have a big season. 

It's an athletic, versatile trio that could wreak havoc from all kinds of alignments in Brian Flores' defense. Think of the 1-on-1 matchups that would be created and the stunts and games Flores could play with those three. Toss in Patrick Jones II and contract year D.J. Wonnum as depth, and it's easy to see why Clay put the Vikings atop his list.

Here's the key issue: That trio might never come to fruition. Smith and Hunter are both in the midst of contract situations that make their futures unclear. Smith said farewell to the team on social media two months ago and still wants a new deal, so he could be traded or released. Hunter also needs a contract adjustment, which could be an extension with the Vikings or a new deal somewhere else after a trade. 

The Vikings won't want to lose both, but even one of Smith or Hunter being gone would drop Minnesota a ways down the edge rusher unit rankings, perhaps even out of the top ten.

So we'll see what happens. But FOR NOW, the league's scariest edge group still resides in Minnesota.

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