B/R Predicts New Vikings Defender Will Be Team's Biggest 2023 Bust

Marcus Davenport has a lot to prove this season. The 2018 first-round pick had an up-and-down five years with the Saints, showing plenty of promise but posting inconsistent sack numbers while dealing with various injuries.

Davenport appeared in 63 of a possible 82 regular season games during his New Orleans tenure. He started 32 of those contests and played between 374 and 533 defensive snaps each year — hardly a full-time role. Davenport had a combined 10.5 sacks in his first two seasons, just 1.5 in 2020, a career-high 9.0 in 2021, and a disappointing 0.5 in his final Saints campaign last year. However, his pressure numbers and PFF grades have been consistently strong throughout his career, which suggests he could be in line for increased production moving forward.

Instead of landing a huge second contract, Davenport — who turns 27 in September — settled for a one-year, $13 million deal with the Vikings this offseason. If he thrives in his new home, he'll cash in next offseason. If he struggles, he may end up with an AAV much lower than $13 million on his next contract. That makes this a big prove-it season in Minnesota for him.

Some analysts are expecting big things from Davenport this year. Others, not so much. Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine chose a "biggest bust" for every NFL team this season and went with Davenport for the Vikings.

Minnesota was 31st in passing defense and 23rd in pressure percentage. They are making a sizable bet that Marcus Davenport is going to help improve those numbers in 2023. He got a one-year, $13 million contract from Minnesota in free agency.

That's a bet the Saints have been making with frustrating results for years. When Davenport is at the top of his game, he's a difference-maker. But he's dealt with plenty of injuries and inconsistencies throughout his career.

A year after setting a career high with nine sacks, he had just half a sack in 2022. Sacks don't always tell the full story but his overall pressure rate dropped from 16.2 percent to 13.4 percent, per Sports Info Solutions.

Despite only being 26, Davenport's injury history is as long as a CVS receipt and includes calf, ankle, shoulder, elbow and toe ailments. The Vikings counting on him to remain healthy and become a great sidekick to Danielle Hunter is a bit too optimistic.

It's reasonable to say that Davenport's injury history and inconsistent production make him a hard player to predict this season. He could have a breakout Pro Bowl year in Brian Flores' defense or he could struggle to stay on the field and make an impact. Neither would be shocking. That's why he feels like one of the Vikings' biggest X-factors this season.

It is worth noting that Davenport's job would get a lot more difficult if Danielle Hunter is traded, because he would see more attention as the Vikings' No. 1 pass rusher.

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