Minnesota Vikings Training Camp 2019: Previewing the linebackers
By Chris Schad
![Minnesota Vikings inside linebacker Ben Gedeon (42) worked on drills at Minnesota State University Mankato Friday July 28, 2017 in Mankato , MN. ] JERRY HOLT • jerry.holt@startribune.com (Photo By Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fthevikingage-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1156595835-3cc89223edc18231c0d40fef918634eca14e3d5f4a314040385956d5fbcb991c.jpg "Minnesota Vikings inside linebacker Ben Gedeon (42) worked on drills at Minnesota State University Mankato Friday July 28, 2017 in Mankato , MN. ] JERRY HOLT • jerry.holt@startribune.com (Photo By Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images)")
Starting Linebacker: Ben Gedeon
Ben Gedeon is an interesting study in the Minnesota Vikings linebacker unit. With the Vikings usually lined up in the nickel as their base defense, Gedeon is only a “starter” in technicality. However, when he’s on the field, he never does anything to hurt the Vikings. Then again, he doesn’t really make a splash either. He’s just a guy that does his job.
Gedeon’s 2018 shows just that as he missed one tackle all season and ranked third among linebackers in PFF’s tackling efficiency with 46 attempts per missed tackle. While he is great wrapping up a ball carrier in open space, he doesn’t make big plays in the running game with a run-stop percentage of just 4.9 (87th among linebackers).
With this being Gedeon’s third season in the league, he kind of is what he is. He’s not overly athletic, but you can trust him to do his job. The interesting part will be to see if the Vikings want more than what he’s giving. With Eric Wilson, Devante Downs and draft pick Cameron Smith behind him, it will be curious to see if someone can step up and take snaps away from the Michigan product.