6 deepest positions on the 2021 Minnesota Vikings roster

Linebacker

The Vikings’ linebacker corps last season was decimated by injuries and the team was forced to bring guys in off the street in order to field enough bodies to play games. This year, assuming everyone is healthy, the unit becomes one of the more talent-rich on the team.

It all starts with Eric Kendricks in the middle. He’s excellent in coverage and can make plays sideline to sideline, in the secondary, and in the backfield. He is still criminally underappreciated league-wide but became the heart and soul of Minnesota’s defense last year.

The Vikings get Anthony Barr back on the strong side and his presence was missed last year, especially from a pass coverage standpoint.

Eric Wilson signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason and while his departure hurts, the team shouldn’t feel too much of a sting. They went out and signed Nick Vigil in free agency who is a solid player. They also drafted Chazz Surratt in the third round and get Troy Dye back for year two, who should be improved after gaining valuable experience a season ago.

Fleshing out the depth are Ryan Connely, Blake Lynch, Cameron Smith, and Tuf Borland. It’s a miracle Smith is back on the field so soon after having open-heart surgery, and Lynch impressed in his one start against the Saints in 2020.

The Vikings linebacking corps is loaded with talent and has experience at all levels. There’ll be some very good players who don’t make the team and will likely be sought after by other clubs when final cuts are made.