What the Vikings can expect from Troy Dye in 2020
By Luke Parrish
With the 132nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Oregon linebacker, Troy Dye. Dye is an experienced play-maker on the defensive side of the ball who can be a situational player in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Vikings did a great job of addressing positions of need early in the 2020 NFL Draft. This allowed them to take more of a luxury pick when they added Oregon’s Troy Dye, a linebacker, in the fourth round. Dye joins a crowded group of young Vikings linebackers who will compete for playing time on defense and special teams.
Minnesota has a lot of young hopefuls already in their linebacker room. Players like Ben Gedeon and Eric Wilson are likely on their last chance to stick around. At the same time, Cameron Smith, DeMarquis Gates, and Dye will be fighting for early playing time.
Dye comes to the Vikings with a lot of starting experience under his belt. In four years at Oregon, Dye appeared in 48 games and recorded 391 tackles. He has shown that he can make plays against both the run and pass, bringing some versatility to his game.
Minnesota’s newest defender projects as a situational linebacker who can contribute in coverage from the jump. He is sound in coverage and he has a ton of length in his favor as he stands at 6-foot-3. If new Vikings senior defensive assistant Dom Capers wants to play Anthony Barr as an edge rusher a bit more often, Dye can take his spot in coverage.
The fourth round was a solid value for Dye in this draft class. What will he bring to the table for the new-look Minnesota defense?