Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Danielle Hunter tied for fourth in the league with 14.5 sacks last season.
He has racked up an impressive 40 sacks since being drafted 88th overall in 2015, and he has yet to turn 25 years old (his birthday is Oct. 29).
Hunter is a physical specimen, but don’t take our word for it. If there’s one person who knows pass rushers, it’s former Browns tackle Joe Thomas, who retired in 2017 after 11 NFL seasons – six of which he was named an All-Pro.
Thomas recently ranked his top 10 pass rushers for NFL.com. Worth noting is that he includes 3-4 outside linebackers and 4-3 defensive ends, in addition to a pair of interior linemen. He tabbed Hunter 10th on the list, comparing him to a four-time NBA MVP. Thomas wrote:
When watching film of the Minnesota Vikings, it struck me that Hunter’s physique is reminiscent of LeBron James with pads. He possesses long arms and legs and has the lower-body power to push offensive linemen back into the quarterback. There is no limit to Hunter’s ability, as he has the unique blend of size and athleticism that has put those before him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He can get offensive tackles off balance with his speed, then move quickly to a swim move to counter. Hunter is athletic enough to win matchups rushing the passer or dropping into coverage, making him an asset in any defense. These attributes give him an advantage of unpredictability, which takes his game to another level.
Ranked ahead of Hunter by Thomas (in order from 9-1, respectively) were DE Joey Bosa (Chargers), DE DeMarcus Lawrence (Cowboys), DE Chandler Jones (Cardinals), DT Chris Jones (Chiefs), DE Myles Garrett (Browns), OLB Von Miller (Broncos), DE J.J. Watt (Texans), OLB Khalil Mack (Bears) and DT Aaron Donald (Rams).
Thomas wrote the following of Mack, whom the Vikings will face twice during the season:
I played Mack twice in my career, and we used to call him a rolling ball of butcher knives, because he was so explosive, you couldn’t slow him down. He’s a phenomenal pass rusher – and if anyone needed more proof of this before he was traded to Chicago last September ... well ... no one is now questioning his ability to wreck run or pass plays after watching him rack up 12.5 sacks, 47 tackles and 10 tackles for loss with the Bears in 2018. He must be double-teamed on pass plays to allow the quarterback time to get the ball out. Unfortunately for opposing offenses, Mack has no problem splitting double teams, getting to the passer and either sacking him or getting a strip sack. The guy is unbelievable.