Switching to a 3-4 defense will give the Vikings flexibility in the NFL Draft
By Luke Parrish
The Minnesota Vikings are set to run a 3-4 defense and that opens up their draft board in 2022.
Under Mike Zimmer, the Minnesota Vikings thrived with a stout 4-3 defense that relied heavily on the defensive line to create havoc. Now that Zimmer is gone, the Vikings appear to be making the switch to a 3-4 look defensively under Ed Donatell and that is a good thing for their approach in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Vikings have been pigeon-holed into taking a cornerback in the first round of the draft later this month but that is not quite the case. Even after signing Za’Darius Smith and keeping Danielle Hunter on the roster for at least another season, the Vikings could very well keep an eye on the edge class.
Moving to a 3-4 defense will slide Danielle Hunter to an outside linebacker that continues to rush the passer with Smith lining up across from him. However, both guys have the size and skill set to slide inside as a defensive end if they want to add bodies off the edge.
As of right now, the Vikings do not have a proven group of pass rushers that can sub in for Hunter and Smith, nor do they have reliable options to be defensive ends. Aside from Harrison Phillips, the Vikings have a question mark along the defensive line.
Players like Armon Watts, Jaylen Twyman, and James Lynch will compete for a larger role in that spot but the Vikings could strike gold in the draft if they want to get a dangerous pass rush for 2022 and beyond.
How does this switch to a 3-4 impact the NFL Draft and how the Vikings could plan for the future?