4 reasons why the Vikings will be better in 2020 than last season

All three levels of Minnesota’s defense has a staple player in his prime

You can take the letters of the word rebuilding and scramble them around in every way imaginable, and no rendition of that unscrambling would apply to the 2020 Vikings defense.

The fuselage of Minnesota’s defensive line contains a pass rusher named Danielle Hunter. He’s 25-years-old. Hunter has been among the league’s sack leaders over the last five seasons (sixth in the NFL), and the man has not even touched the typical prime age of one’s career.

In theory, he should be better in the next five years than he was in the first five years of his career. This benefits the pressure up front.

The midsection of the defense is led by 2019 All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks. The fifth-year player is 28-years-old and he is in prime. His stablemate, Anthony Barr, is a team captain and he has been with the Vikings since 2014. Barr is 28 years-old. Both men are in their prime.

Lastly, safety Anthony Harris led the league in interceptions last season. He just turned 29. Guess what? That is also a prime age for a safety, although it is nearing the infamous 30-year-old threshold.

All in all, the Vikings are set for leaders on defense. In unison with Hunter, Kendricks, and Harris’ elite performance, the team should remain steady or get even better in September.