3 sneaky roster needs for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022

Linebacker

It’s no secret Anthony Barr will be playing somewhere else next season, but even with him gone, the Vikings linebacking depth chart seems decent enough. They have Eric Kendricks in the middle, some guys with untapped potential in Chazz Surratt, Troy Dye, and Blake Lynch.

If Surratt can take a step forward in his development, that group could be serviceable if the team was sticking with a 4-3 alignment. The probable switch to a 3-4 complicates things.

The Vikings need to have pass-rushing linebackers on the outside and solid tacklers in the middle. They have one of the best middle guys with Eric Kendricks, but the jury is out on everyone else on the Vikings’ depth chart. D.J. Wonnum should be in line to start at one of the outside linebacking spots, but the team has a major decision on their hands on what to do about Danielle Hunter.

If they keep him, he’ll excel in that role, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy the last two seasons and will be in line for another big payday after the season. The time to trade him might be now if the Vikings are going to maximize the value they can receive in a deal.

The scheme change on defense creates two holes, one in the middle and one on the outside. If the Minnesota Vikings do move Hunter, they could use the 12th overall pick on a guy like Michigan’s David Ojabo, or Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson. Inside linebackers like Nakobe Dean from Georgia, and Devin Lloyd from Utah could also be in play.