Camp questions: Hunter and non-Hunter scenarios
Will Danielle Hunter get an extension or be traded (or neither?)
Traditionally the Vikings have opened camp with news of contract extensions being signed but the team’s run of cutting/trading cornerstone players this offseason brings into question whether there will be a Danielle Hunter press conference on the day players report to TCO Performance Center. Hunter’s decision to sit out minicamp was a clear indication that he is not settling for a short-term solution as he has the last two offseasons. After an elite (and healthy) season rushing the passer, the veteran Pro Bowler is looking for a serious commitment.
The Vikings have future considerations with their salary cap though. Justin Jefferson and TJ Hockenson are also up for extensions and Christian Darrisaw is one year away from becoming one of the highest paid left tackles in the NFL. Can they find a way to pay everyone? Does the remainder of Hunter’s peak land within their timeline? Would they be comfortable finding out what they have in recent draft picks?
This situation does not come with an Easy Button for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to push. It could play out throughout the summer if Hunter wants too much money and the other 31 teams aren’t willing to offer enough for his services. Something will have to give at some point but it’s hard to say exactly when.
Where do Marcus Davenport and Dean Lowry fit in?
The Vikings swung on two veteran free agents who had down 2022 seasons to replace Za’Darius Smith and Dalvin Tomlinson. Davenport has put together an uneven career after being picked by the Saints in the first round of the 2018 draft, posting two strong sack-producing seasons in 2019 and 2021 and two years with fewer than two sacks. His PFF grades and underlying pressure metrics are strong in a largely rotational role. Is that the Vikings’ plan for him or do they expect Davenport to be an every-down player? Over his career he’s rarely played as an inside rusher — could that change under Brian Flores? It will take months before we know whether Davenport, who hasn’t yet turned 27, is going to be an underrated gem but we will get an idea what Flores has in store for his role.
Lowry is another bet on 2021 production. He had 42 pressures and 5.0 sacks in ‘21 but those numbers dropped to 17 and 0.5, respectively. A closer look at his usage from PFF’s alignment data shows that he was lined up much more often at a base 3-4 defensive end position in ‘21 versus ‘22, which may have played into his success rushing the passer. Are the Vikings trying to recreate that or use him as more of a traditional defensive tackle?
Will we see steps forward from recent draft picks?
If Hunter returns, the Vikings’ starting defensive line will be quite experienced between Lowry, Davenport and Harrison Phillips. What about the youth behind them? Players on their rookie contracts who are trying to push for rotational roles include: DJ Wonnum, Patrick Jones, Ross Blacklock, Esezi Otomewo, James Lynch and rookie Jaquelin Roy. That’s a lot of project players in one room.
One by one…
Wonnum has flashed some ability to get to the quarterback with 12.0 sacks in the last two seasons but his consistency in creating pressure has left something to be desired. He ranked 98th of 125 rushers in PFF’s pass rush win rate metric in 2022 and 103rd in 2021. Will he be called into action if Hunter ends up being moved? Or could he end up starting across from Hunter if Davenport plays more 3-4 D-end if he shows more consistency beating offensive tackles in camp/joint practices? Or could someone else take his snaps if they emerge in camp?
Patrick Jones is a prime candidate to compete for edge rushing reps. Last year he didn’t score much higher than Wonnum in win rate (91st) but he did have a couple games in which the former Pitt standout flashed pass rushing skill and difference-making ability in the run game. Is he ready to take a step forward into a key pass rushing position? With two full seasons under his belt, it would seem this is a make or break year for Jones.
Ross Blacklock was acquired by the Vikings after they surprisingly cut Armon Watts prior to the season. After two disappointing years in Houston, the 2020 second-rounder didn’t see the field often in his first year in Minnesota, registering 11 pressures in 117 total pass rush snaps. Can he work his way into a situational pass rush role during camp? Or will the decision to trade for him look like a mistake?
Esezi Otomewo was taken in the fifth round as a project player out of Minnesota. He played 90 snaps and picked up four pressures. He does have some jolt off the line, which may draw some attention from the coaching staff.
James Lynch has moved around the D-line during his three seasons and settled on a part-time role last year, playing 276 snaps. He was solid against the run but made little impact on the interior pass rush with three pressures in 157 rushing reps. He needs to stand out among a number of similar types of players on the D-line.
Jaquelin Roy was drafted this year in the fifth round as a versatile interior D-linemen with the strength to potentially play right away. With a deep room, he will need to be exceptional during camp.
The run stuffer battle
The Vikings have a deep group including James Lynch, Jonathan Bullard, Khyiris Tonga, Jaquelin Roy and 340-pound Calvin Avery all battling to play the role of run stuffer. While Harrison Phillips will be the main man in the middle, early downs, goal line and short yardage are still important situations and the door appears open for someone to become a regular in those spots (and others will be cut out of camp/relegated to the practice squad). In 2022, Tonga showed his talent, grading a 77.9 overall by PFF and 73.4 versus the run in nearly 136 snaps vs. the run. Bullard is a veteran who was in over 300 total plays last year with results typical of his career as a journeyman off-the-bench D-linemen and the others need to prove themselves.
Will Andre Carter II be the most intriguing player at camp?
Normally undrafted free agents don’t get much hype but Andre Carter II will have plenty of interest from Day 1. He’s a 6-foot-6 pass rusher who put up 14.5 sacks in 2021 and was considered by many draft analysts as the steal of the UDFA class. However, his production in 2022 dropped all the way to 3.5 sacks and his NFL Combine scores in key drills were underwhelming. Can he put on strength and show enough upside to make the team right away? Or will he need plenty more time.
Other players on the D-line who will be battling for jobs include: Luiji Vilain, Curtis Weaver, Benton Whitley, TJ Smith, Sheldon Day and Junior Aho.
