10 titanic takeaways from the Vikings entire 2022 training camp

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) Justin Jefferson
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) Justin Jefferson /
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) Za’Darius Smith #55 and Danielle Hunter #99 /

Hunter and Smith are ready to feast on QBs

Back in 2019, Za’Darius Smith had a marvelous season as a member of the Green Bay Packers and he led all defenders in the NFL with 93 pressures according to PFF. Ranking second in pressures behind Smith that year with 88 of his own was none other than Vikings pass rusher Danielle Hunter.

Fast forward to now and Minnesota has both Smith and Hunter on their roster to see if they can team up to create the most dangerous pass-rushing duo in the league.

In order for that to happen, both defenders will have to remain healthy for the majority of the 2022 season. This is something that neither player was able to do in 2021 as Smith missed 16 games with a back injury and Hunter was out of action for 10 games due to a torn pectoral muscle.

This summer, the Vikings’ top-two edge rushers have looked like they’re ready to get back to leading the NFL in pressures like they did in 2019. If this ends up happening, then the rest of the league is going to have a lot more to worry about than Minnesota’s new-and-improved offense.