3 unsung heroes from the Vikings win over the Bears in Week 5

D.J. Wonnum – OLB

While some players on the Vikings seem to be struggling with the team’s switch to a 3-4 defense this season, outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum seems to be thriving with the change.

Wonnum has played limited snaps this season due to Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter being ahead of him on Minnesota’s depth chart. But when he has been on the field, he seems to be around the ball on almost every play.

Wonnum’s solid season continued this past Sunday against the Bears, as he tied for the team lead in pressures with five despite only having 15 pass-rush snaps. For comparison, Hunter only had two pressures, though he also had a sack.

Wonnum has slowly been earning himself more reps, and with Hunter being less than stellar, it’s hard to argue against the young outside linebacker getting more playing time.

Against Chicago, PFF graded Wonnum among the top three on the Vikings’ defense, even though that could be inflated due to his low snap count. Still, it wouldn’t hurt for Minnesota to put their young pass rusher on the field more, and his performance in Week 5 only made that possibility more believable.