5 wild predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Danielle Hunter gets 2.5 sacks

Since the Vikings’ somewhat unpopular selection of Hunter in the third round of last years draft, the young, athletic defensive end has more than justified the pick. After recording just 4.5 sacks throughout his entire collegiate career, Hunter proved himself as a pass rusher by finishing second among rookies with six sacks as a rotational pass rusher.

Now in his second season, Hunter already has four sacks in five games. Although he still isn’t a full-time starter on the defense, he has emerged as a key piece for Mike Zimmer to move around and create mismatches with.

With rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai forced to start at right tackle for the Eagles in place of the suspended Lane Johnson, who has emerged as one of the premier lineman in the league, Zimmer should have plenty of opportunities to call upon Hunter.

Vaitai had a miserable week in a loss against the Redskins last week, surrendering 2.5 sacks.

“I just felt sorry for him,” former NFL offensive lineman and ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth said to 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia after the fifth-round pick’s debut. “You are so overmatched right now. I feel so bad for you right now because you don’t have any chance of blocking anybody.”

Danielle Hunter isn’t just anybody. One of the best pure athletes at the position in the NFL, Hunter will give Vaitai fits all afternoon as Zimmer finds creative ways to create mismatches with the young defensive end.