Jeffery Simmons – DT
The interior of the Vikings offensive line has been a major weakness for over a year. It’s unclear at this point if Dru Samia will get a second start in place of Pat Elflein at right guard this week. But if he does, he could see this beast of a Titans defensive tackle playing over him.
Jeffery Simmons is an underrated second-year player who has been quietly very good. This guy can stuff the run as well as provide interior pressure on quarterbacks.
He missed the majority of his rookie season as he was covering from an ACL injury suffered late in his final year at Mississippi State. In just 11 career games, Simmons has 39 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, and two sacks. He’s got a great blend of power and speed and he is a player who is definitely getting better with every game he plays.
Minnesota’s offensive line will have to account for Simmons wherever he lines up. They should send double teams his way as much as possible to neutralize this defensive weapon of Tennessee.
If they can do just that then Dalvin Cook should find ample room to run assuming offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak finally decides to feed the ball to the man they just paid all that money for.