Inside The Vikings

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.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings' Edge Rusher Unit, For Now, Ranked as NFL's Best
Vikings' Edge Rusher Unit, For Now, Ranked as NFL's Best

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Minnesota Vikings

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.

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.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. Also, follow me on Twitter and feel free to ask me any questions on there.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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