3 best rookie performances for the Vikings in the 2022 preseason opener
By Luke Parrish
Brian Asamoah – LB
The depth behind Eric Kendricks at linebacker has been a major concern for the Vikings for two years now. They tried to find answers over the past two years by adding Troy Dye, Chazz Surratt, and Blake Lynch but the results have been nothing short of a disaster.
Surratt and Dye both had some terrible moments on Sunday while rookie Brian Asamoah made a few splashes including a goalline stop. His range from sideline to sideline will be a welcome addition to a defense that has missed that sort of impact on key downs.
There is no reason to expect a three-down performance from Asamoah this season but his skill set is worth mixing into the defense against bigger offensive sets. Rather than going with three safeties in running situations, Asamoah can be the perfect extra defender.
He brings a wonderful blend of speed and aggressiveness to the middle of the defense, something that was an apparent target for the Vikings in the draft. Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth both have a similar mentality.
If he can continue showing off his strengths and making plays all over the middle of the field, Asamoah will become a staple of this defense moving forward. Hopefully, he can turn in another solid performance against the 49ers next week. His speed will get a chance to play against one of the more dominant rushing attacks in the NFL.
Whether he covers tight ends or shoots the gaps on run downs, Asamoah will have a role on this team and he proved that on Sunday. He was brilliant against the Raiders.