4 problems the Minnesota Vikings must fix for playoff success in 2022
By Dean Jones
Secondary depth
The Minnesota Vikings had high hopes for their secondary heading into the season. But it’s been one bad luck story after another to leave this unit severely depleted at the worst possible time.
Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr. are both out for the season. Cameron Dantzler is also on injured/reserve and Akayleb Evans’ injury against the New York Jets leaves them without prominent depth in this critical area of the field.
Much will depend on how those in power see matters, but bringing in additional reinforcements on the cheap cannot be ruled out. Because if they keep getting exposed, then playoff-caliber offenses are likely to sniff out this weakness from a mile away.
Asking a veteran to immediately step in and learn the system is a tough challenge. So the Vikings would need to be absolutely convinced any new arrival can hit the ground running.
If influential figures within the franchise opt to stand pat and rely on their current options, it would be a big risk. Keeping the veteran duo of Patrick Peterson and Harrison Smith healthy is imperative and the likes of Camryn Bynum and Chandon Sullivan must also keep progressing in their current encouraging fashion.
Only time will tell and Dantzler is expected back as soon as Week 14 at the Detroit Lions. This would be a significant boost, but putting too much on his shoulders after so long out wouldn’t be the wisest move all things considered.