Minnesota Vikings 53 man roster projection: Pre-training camp edition
By Adam Carlson
Defensive Ends (4)
One thing for certain is that the Minnesota Vikings are loaded up on pass rushers. Plus, they didn’t make many changes to the roster at all when it comes to this position other than adding bodies for camp and competition.
Here are the players expected to make the roster from this positional grouping:
Hunter is going to be competing with the league leaders for sacks once again this year while Griffen is going to lock down the other side and force opposing offenses to play honest offense, not being able to shift blockers to either side to cheat.
The two starters combined for 20 sacks last season. That number would have been even more if Griffen had been able to play in all 16 games. Everson missed five games last year but should be mentally and physically ready to take a full slate in 2019.
Behind them, Weatherly filled in nicely during Griffen’s absence. He looked as though he could be a starter on other teams, getting pressure on a regular basis and bringing down opposing quarterbacks three times.
Bower has shown flashes of potential in preseason yet only has one career sack in his seven games played. He will serve as an insurance policy behind the other three pass rushers and should continue to keep this as one of the deepest units in the league.
Barely missed the cut: Ade Aruna