Minnesota Vikings Linebackers: Who Will Make The Cut in Camp?

The Minnesota Vikings are finally blessed with a huge problem to deal with and that is a wealthy of young and athletic linebackers. Training Camp will be an awesome chance to watch what I believe will be the best unit fighting for a roster spot.

The 2015 draft saw 2 more linebackers added to the depth when the drafted Eric Kendricks, 6’0” and 232 pounds in the 2^nd round and Edmond Robinson in the 7^th.

Kendricks comes to the Vikings as the all-time UCLA Bruins me leading tackler. The Vikings think so highly of him that for now he is penciled in as the starting middle linebacker. The upcoming Training Camp in Mankato will allow Eric to solidify.

Edmond Robinson, 6’3” and 245 is described as freakishly long with room to add weight. He played over the slot receiver in college at times along with rolling back to the safety position for a few snaps. His quickness in sideline to sideline is also going to be a major asset for him.

The 2014 draft saw the Vikings take Brandon Watts in the lower rounds and he found himself making the 53 man roster and even getting in 2 games worth of action.

The big splash in 2014 of course was the Vikings taking with the number nine pick in the first round, Anthony Barr, 6’5” and 255 pounds. I feel bad for being shocked when they took him so high. I was wrong and have no trouble admitting wrong.

Barr made all fans recognize his name with his play last season. The tackle total was 70 along with 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 4 sacks. The Tampa Bay game saw Barr strip the ball, pick it up and take it in for the overtime game winning touchdown.

Eddie Lacy (27) avoids Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr (55) on a 10-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Green Bay Packers win 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports” width=”300″ height=”198″ />

Minnesota signed Casey Matthews, 6’1” and 245 in free agency from the Philadelphia Eagles. Matthews has a career 112 tackles in his first 4 years in the league. The intriguing part to me is the fact he is Clay’s brother makes me wonder can we see play like Clay brings every game. I know Minnesota is building through the draft but I do like the signing. Casey in only his 5^th year is still young as well.

The 2013 draft brought 2 linebackers to the team with Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti both coming from Penn State University.

Hodges,6’2” and 243 pounds led Penn State in his junior and senior year with over 100 tackles while Mauti, 6’2” and 243 as well in his rookie year with the Vikings had 13 special team tackles which ranked 3^rd on the team.

Penn State seems to put into the NFL such good linebackers. It should be called Linebacker U. I think back of Matt Millen and the NFL career he had.

Audie Cole is now in his 4^th year and has been given several chances to get himself a regular starting job. He has started at middle linebacker at times as well as outside so he has shown coaches he can do it.

Cole, 6”5” and 239 is another Vikings draft choice product coming in 2012.

Dec 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway (52) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Greewnway, 6”2” and 242 is a former first round pick and now enters his 10^th season with the Vikings. All Chad has done is be the leading tackler the last 6 seasons which ties him with Scott Studwell for most consecutive years.

Chad is also been names defensive MVP in the 2010, 2012 and 2013 season along with a great PR guy for the team with all his community work.

The Vikings also have Brian Peters and Josh Kaddu as rookie free agents in camp as well. Peters comes from Northwestern and Kaddu from Oregon.

I am so excited for the battle to come in Mankato. It is going to be such a hard decision for the coaching staff to make the cuts. I love this problem the team has.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

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