Which players are winning position battles for the Minnesota Vikings?
By Adam Carlson
Defensive end: Odenigbo vs. Aruna vs. Schult
When the preseason was kicking off, it looked like the defensive ends were set in stone. Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen will return as the starters with Stephen Weatherly as the primary backup. Finally, Tashawn Bower would round out the roster.
A season-ending injury to Bower opened up a spot for a pass rusher. Last year’s sixth-round draft pick Ade Aruna and AAF standout Karter Schult are trying to make a name for themselves while Ifeadi Odenigbo looks to finally make the Vikings 53-man roster for the first time after being cut the last two years.
There might not be a player on the Minnesota Vikings roster having a better preseason than Odenigbo. The defensive end has consistently gotten pressure against opposing quarterbacks despite only registering half a sack through the first two games.
No matter who the favorite was going in, Ifeadi Odenigbo has to be considered the odds on favorite. Plus, the story of his struggle to make the team’s 53-man roster in the past will be a great success story…maybe not as great of a story as Adam Thielen’s…but pretty darned good!