Vikings Training Camp 2019: Previewing the defensive line
By Chris Schad
Defensive End Reserves: Stephen Weatherly, Tashawn Bower, Ade Aruna, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Stacy Keeley
Over the Vikings’ recent history, they’ve had waves of solid backup defensive ends pay their dues before becoming mainstays with the starting unit. What started with Brian Robison turned into Everson Griffen and then Danielle Hunter. Now, the Vikings are hoping that Stephen Weatherly can be the next Viking backup to make that leap.
As Griffen battled his issues off the field last year, Weatherly was making a splash on it. A former seventh-round pick from Vanderbilt, Weatherly finished the season with just three sacks, but he did most of his damage in six starts for the departed Griffen. He also racked up 27 pressures according to Pro Football Focus and the Vikings have been paying attention by trying to get him to sign a contract extension.
2019 should be a big year for 25-year old as he’ll look to make the breakout that several of his purple predecessors have over the past decade. If he’s able to do that, it will be another gem that Rick Spielman and defensive line coach Andre Patterson have teamed up to create.
Along with Weatherly, the Vikings have several other projects who have flashed in the preseason but haven’t cracked the starting lineup thanks to their depth along the defensive line. Tashawn Bower has made the 53-man cut in each of the past two seasons but has just one sack to show for it. He still is just 24 years old and it’s curious to see if his two-year apprenticeship will translate into improved play on the field.
The Vikings will also have another project that they had high hopes for in Ade Aruna. The Tulane product flashed some impressive measurables during training camp but would tear his ACL in the second week of the preseason to put an early end to his rookie season. There hasn’t been much buzz about the 25-year old, but he could be another reserve to make a splash this August.
Ifeadi Odenigbo is another reserve to keep an eye on as he’ll look to make the active roster after coming up just short last year. As a player that can play on the outside and kick inside in a pinch, he offers versatility and explosiveness as a backup and will look to take another step forward in his third season out of Northwestern.
The Minnesota Vikings will also feature UDFA Stacy Keeley out of UAB, who registered four sacks in two seasons for the Blazers but missed time during his senior year due to injury. He’ll look to sneak onto the roster or find a spot on the practice squad.