5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers – Week 1

Odenigbo will record two sacks

As of earlier this week, the Packers were planning on using a “mystery man” at right tackle for Sunday’s matchup in Minnesota.

Prior to Danielle Hunter landing on injured reserve, this was a surefire situation to play into the Vikings’ hands. Although Hunter won’t be playing on Sunday, this is still a situation that Ifeadi Odenigbo can take advantage of.

Before Minnesota recently traded for Yannick Ngakoue, Odenigbo was poised to be a force on the outside edge as one of the team’s two starting defensive ends.

His overall grade ranked 28th among qualifying edge defenders last season and the Vikings were hoping that he could continue to provide a consistent presence in their pass-rush after posting a 6.2 pass rusher productivity rating that was 66th among qualifiers in 2019.

But Minnesota’s lack of ability to generate pressure with their interior defensive line may have been what forced the trade for Ngakoue. The Vikings may not have been as worried about Odenigbo’s transition as they were with a lack of a true pass-rusher on the inside. While Hunter’s injury may scrap that idea, it’s not like Minnesota is going to complete rock bottom in the absence of Hunter.

As of now, the candidates for the Packers’ “mystery man” to start at right tackle on Sunday include Billy Turner and Rick Wagner, who are both coming off rough seasons in 2019. If Odenigbo can take advantage of his latest opportunity, he should be able to get to Aaron Rodgers.