5 second-year Vikings under pressure after the 2022 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Chazz Surratt – LB
Switching to a 3-4 defense is yet another intriguing component to watch when the Vikings formally resume on-field activities this offseason and when competitive action begins once again.
The second level looks unbelievably strong with Danielle Hunter, Za’Darius Smith, Jordan Hicks, and Eric Kendricks. So fans will be hoping that this veteran quartet can stay healthy throughout as the team looks to get itself back among the postseason challengers.
Despite this coming with huge encouragement, it does cast something of a shadow on Chazz Surratt’s short-term aspirations. The former third-round pick didn’t play a solitary snap on defense as a rookie, which was a bitter disappointment considering where Minnesota picked him during the 2021 NFL Draft.
Surratt was on the field for plenty of special teams plays, which is something. But the Vikings taking Brian Asamoah means that the North Carolina product must raise his level of performance considerably in pursuit of more involvement.
Asamoah has the explosiveness and sideline-to-sideline presence that should be a big hit in Minnesota. Perhaps not right away, but there’s just no telling what learning from Hicks and Kendricks will do for the Oklahoma prospect in the long run.
Must Read. 5 Vikings rookies who could surprise in 2022. light
As for Surratt, things don’t look great right now. However, it is far too early in the player’s career to be writing him off entirely.