Projecting the Minnesota Vikings’ first official 2017 depth chart
By Adam Patrick
Defensive line
RE: Everson Griffen
DT: Linval Joseph
DT: Tom Johnson
LE: Danielle Hunter
Reserves:
Shamar Stephen
Jaleel Johnson (Rookie)
Brian Robison
Tashawn Bower (Rookie)
Stephen Weatherly
Minnesota’s starting group on the defensive front will be infused with a bit of youth this year as the team really had no choice but to make Hunter a starter (would you want to tell him no?). Keep an eye on Jaleel Johnson this year as he certainly has the talent to challenge Tom Johnson for his starting spot.
Linebackers
LB1: Eric Kendricks
LB2: Anthony Barr
Reserves:
Ben Gedeon (Rookie)
Emmanuel Lamur
Eric Wilson (Rookie)
Kentrell Brothers
The Vikings’ run a 4-3 base defense less than half the time since there is no sense in picking three starting linebackers for them. Kendricks and Barr are the obvious choices as starters, but look for Gedeon to step and take Chad Greenway’s old role when Minnesota actually does trot out three linebackers on the field at once.