8 bold predictions for the Minnesota Vikings 2021 season
By Chris Schad
Minnesota will have a top-10 defense
The Vikings spent like crazy in free agency to fix their defense this offseason. In many ways, that’s a great development as several areas have been upgraded from a unit that ranked 28th in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed last season.
The return of Danielle Hunter, along with the presence of Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson, should help the defensive line get more pressure on the quarterback. Assuming Anthony Barr returns to health, he and Eric Kendricks should return to being one of the best linebacker duos in the NFL.
Even Minnesota’s secondary should be better with the addition of three free-agent cornerbacks and a safety. Mix in an improved effort from the front seven and a lot of the laser throws that came from clean pockets should be turned into turnover-worthy plays.
Everything isn’t fixed with the defense and it will be up to Mike Zimmer to get everything he can out of this group. But an influx of veterans should go a long way and help the Vikings get back to where they’ve been during the majority of Zimmer’s tenure in Minnesota.