Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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9. Griffen & Hunter Strong at DE; Intrigue Thereafter | By @pcraigers
The Vikings have a pair of Pro Bowl defensive ends whose capabilities are well-known around the league, a young and versatile player continuing his rise and some intriguing prospects to evaluate.
Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter have shown their elite physicality that features strength and speed that’s hard for opponents to match 1-on-1. The teammates have combined for 77 sacks since Hunter’s rookie season of 2015, the most of any teammates in the NFL.
Griffen has looked impressive in 1-on-1s against Riley Reiff and gave out some beard tips to Anthony Barr. He also brightened the day of a young man who has faced adversity. Hunter cracked the NFL Top 100 for the first time in his career.
Stephen Weatherly, who is coming off a season of career bests, is prepping for his fourth pro season and being asked to do more and more. Examples include playing from a 2-point stance at the end of the line and executing a rush from the interior. It makes one wonder if Weatherly might be utilized in some ways similar to Brian Robison in 2017.
There’s been just one week of padded practices, and there are four preseason games on the horizon to further evaluate the position after that.
Ifeadi Odenigbo, a 2017 draft pick, and Ade Aruna, a 2018 selection without extensive experience in organized football, are building on what they’ve learned from past Vikings camps. Karter Schult, an Iowa native who starred in the AAF, is also in the mix, along with rookies Stacy Keely and Anree Saint-Amour.
Tashawn Bower, a former teammate of Hunter’s at LSU, is on the NFI list.
10. Young DTs making the most of opportunities | By @LindseyMNSports
It’s never ideal to be without your starters, but young interior defensive linemen have gotten extra reps throughout the first part of training camp.
Linval Joseph is on the active roster but has yet to participate in team drills during practice. Shamar Stephen spent time on the NFI list but was removed from it Friday. Coaches are slowly working Stephen back into the defense.
Meanwhile, the absences of Joseph and Stephen have provided “bonus reps,” of sorts, for younger guys like Jalyn Holmes or Jaleel Johnson.
Johnson has been mostly used at nose tackle, although he also is asked to know the 3-technique spot. Holmes has been plugged in at both spots; at times, he has stepped in at nose, and Hercules Mata’afa has played in the 3-tech spot. Mata’afa has put on size while maintaining his explosiveness after spending the 2018 season on Injured Reserve.