As the Minnesota Vikings looked to add to their defense in 2024 free agency, one player in particular surely came with a strong endorsement from defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel was a fifth-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in Flores's first year as head coach there, and he started 25 games over Flores's last two seasons with the franchise.
But it was the reunion last year in Minnesota that fully unleashed Van Ginkel. He had a career-high 11.5 sacks and a career-best 18 tackles for loss on his way to his first career Pro Bowl selection. The two-year, $20 million deal he signed last offseason became a fantastic bargain, and in late April, the Vikings gave him a one-year, $23 million contract extension.
Van Ginkel was a top-35 edge rusher by overall PFF defensive grade last season, with the sixth-best grade coverage grade at the position (81.0). He returned both of his interceptions for touchdowns, but his pick-six off Aaron Rodgers in London was especially good in every aspect.
PFF data further shows how uniquely talented Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel is
PFF recently released their ranking of the top-32 edge rushers in the NFL entering the 2025 season. Two Vikings, Van Ginkel and fellow 2024 free agent signing Jonathan Greenard, made the list, with Greenard coming in at No. 15 and Van Ginkel two spots after that.
Writer Ryan Smith practically made a case for Van Ginkel to be ranked far higher than he is.
"Van Ginkel reunited with former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores in Minnesota and delivered the most productive season of his career, recording 50 pressures for the second straight year and a career-high 11.5 sacks.
His pass-rushing numbers could have been even higher if not for his frequent coverage responsibilities — he dropped into coverage 212 times in 2024, by far the most among edge defenders. Still, with three pick-sixes over the past two seasons, it’s a skill set the Vikings are wise to utilize."
There are certainly some (if not a lot of) starting off-the-ball linebackers around the league who didn't drop into coverage over 200 times last season. Van Ginkel did it as an edge rusher, and he was very effective in coverage while also tallying 11.5 sacks.
Flores's highly variable and aggressive defensive scheme puts a premium on players who can do a lot of things well. Van Ginkel was a poster boy for that last season--a top-notch edge rusher and a top-notch coverage linebacker rolled into one player.