3 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers – Preseason Week 2
By Chris Schad
Patrick Jones will get a sack against the 49ers
If there’s an area where the Vikings need to find depth, it’s the pass rush. Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter have both stood out during this week’s practices but behind them, there hasn’t been anyone that has answered the challenge. That is until Patrick Jones II did it last week.
While the third round was a disaster for the 2021 draft class, Jones is a player that has risen above the ashes. According to PFF, he generated four pressures on 16 pass-rushing snaps. He also generated a 14.3 pass rusher proficiency (PRP) rating that was ninth among edge rushers with at least 16 pass-rushing snaps.
Jones is unlikely to continue that type of production, but if he can come close, it would be huge considering the current state of the roster.
D.J. Wonnum is coming off a season with eight sacks but most of those were a result of schemed plays or the defense focusing on someone else. With one pressure on 18 snaps, improvement isn’t likely and it leads to a dearth at the end of the depth chart.
With Janarius Robinson, Luiji Villain, and Zach McCloud unlikely to make the roster, Jones will need to step up and be the situational pass-rusher for the Vikings. If he’s able to play like he did against the Raiders, he’ll be on the right track.