Minnesota Vikings: Projected starters for the the 2019 season

Projected starters for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2019 season

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 21: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings returns an interception with teammates Xavier Rhodes #29 and Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

8 of 10

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Eric Kendricks /

Linebackers

Anthony Barr – outside linebacker
Ben Gedeon – outside linebacker
Eric Kendricks – middle linebacker

Right now, Barr and Kendrick are inked in as starters. Both are coming off fresh contracts, with Barr signing a massive deal to stay with the team and Kendricks restructuring his deal to help the team financially.

Since the Vikings spend a lot of time in nickel, Gedeon wasn’t on the field a ton last season. In fact, he only played 29.74% of the team’s defensive snaps compared to 84.22% for Kendricks and 77.77% for Barr.

What this means is that Gedeon did a solid job on the snaps he did play, but if a player can impress enough there is a chance the position could be taken from him. And there are some talented players behind him on the roster.

Eric Wilson has looked good when needed and actually played more snaps defensively than Gedeon did last year with 32.34%. Plus, rookie Cameron Smith is going to be pushing for a role with the team this year. But, for now, it looks like Gedeon’s job to hold.

Home/Minnesota Vikings News