The Viking Age
FanSided

5 players Minnesota Vikings will miss most in 2020

By Nik Edlund

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 13: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings pumps up the crowd during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Eagles 38-20. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 13: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings pumps up the crowd during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Eagles 38-20. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 29: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings hits Chase Daniel #4 of the Chicago Bears in the second quarter at Soldier Field on September 29, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings hits Chase Daniel of the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Former Minnesota Vikings Player No. 3: DE Everson Griffen

It was unfortunate the Vikings couldn’t agree to a deal with EDGE Everson Griffen after he opted out of his contract this offseason. The longtime Viking and captain was coming off a resurgent season where he racked up eight sacks and played with a renewed energy and focus.

They won’t miss him immediately from a production standpoint. They have EDGE Danielle Hunter as their left defensive end, who is simply one of the best in the league. On the right side, they have Ifeadi Odenigbo, who is coming off a seven sack breakout season himself and appears destined for greatness.

Where they will miss Griffen the most is if one of these starters gets hurt.

Behind Hunter and Odenigbo the Vikings defensive end depth chart is void of experience. The veterans they have are journeyman Anthony Zettel, who hasn’t been productive since 2017, and Eddie Yarbrough, who hasn’t had a tackle since 2018. A couple of rookies, who while talented, could be a year away from producing round out the depth.

If Hunter or Odenigbo go down, the Vikings pass rush could go down with them, and they’ll be wishing they would’ve worked out a deal with Griffen.

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