Five Vikings who will have a surprise impact on defense

The Vikings defense is a top ranked group – some have them as high as number two – heading into the 2016 season. Once in the cellar, head coach Mike Zimmer, has turned this group around in just a few short years.

A defense does not make that kind of significant progress without the emergence of a little star power. Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith and Linval Joseph, to name a few, have all risen as the core of this defense. With that foundation in place, there is room for a new cast of characters to make their presence known.

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Danielle Hunter

Hunter had a breakout season last year for the Vikings as a backup/rotational contributor. He has a strong ability to rush the passer and get after the quarterback. Hunter was second on the team in sacks with six, only behind Everson Griffen. He also is a great run stopper. Playing next to Joseph, the pair provide a formidable front when stuffing the run.

Hunter is expected to have a similar position with the team in 2016, but is expected to see more playing time with an increased role. He is an eventual starter on the defensive line and could find himself starting by the end of the season, if not sooner. Hunter has the ability to slide into the position immediately in the event one of the starters goes down with an injury. Whether it is in a backup role or as a starter, Hunter’s impact on defense will be felt one way or another.

Jayron Kearse

The Vikings have been looking for someone to fill the void opposite of Harrison Smith since Antoine Winfield was released in 2013. Drafted in the seventh round, Kearse should find some playing time next to Smith at safety this year as well as on special teams. He is still green and will likely play in some sort of rotation with Michael Griffin, Anthony Harris and Andrew Sendejo.

Kearse was highly touted by Zimmer during the draft and has become his special pet project. Zimmer has spent time working exclusively with the rookie safety at OTA’s and mandatory minicamp. Kearse’s size and potential are a rare combination, unmatched by many. He is a talented ballhawk who has the ability to stop the run and turn the ball over.

Kearse will spend most of his first year getting his feet wet while gaining a feel for Zimmer’s defense. There is a possibility that he picks up things up quicker than expected and is thrust into the starter’s role before season’s end. Kearse is loaded with raw talent that needs refinement and will benefit from the guidance of Zimmer. The future is bright for the talented young safety.

Stephen Weatherly

Weatherly was another seventh round selection by the Vikings in this year’s draft. He has the ability to play both linebacker and defensive end and could end up playing the “Jack” role for the Vikings on defense. Weatherly has the talent to rush off the edge or from the linebacker position. He is a great run stopper and pass rusher who can also drop back in coverage. Weatherly is big and quick and can close holes in a hurry or cutoff routes with his speed.

He will most likely end up playing a hybrid role for the Vikings, playing a mix of defensive end and linebacker. His many talents will allow Zimmer the flexibility of moving Weatherly around. Zimmer will have the option to dial up customized blitzes and schemes catered to the dynamic rookie’s unique skill set. Weatherly figures to play in rotation or as a backup to start the year, but could have a more prominent role in the defense in the future.

Mackensie Alexander

A projected first round talent, Alexander fell to the Vikings in the second round of the draft. He figures to play out of the nickel corner position and will challenge Captain Munnerlyn for the spot. Alexander will probably start out as the backup, but could eventually overtake the job from Munnerlyn as the year wears on. He could also see some time on special teams and may end up returning punts.

Alexander will provide support against the run out of the secondary as a skilled run stopper and sure tackler. His presence in the defensive backfield will also improve Minnesota’s ability to turnover opposing offenses. With Alexander on the field, the defense should see an uptick in takeaways, an area the Vikings struggled in last year. His contributions on defense will be felt for years to come as the future face of the nickel corner position.

Chad Greenway

Greenway showed improvement as a linebacker last year. He again figures to play a backup/support role on defense and will play in a rotation with Emmanuel Lamur at weakside linebacker. He has proven to be dependable during his ten seasons with the team and should the Vikings need to lean on him, he is more than capable of handling the job.

Greenway’s contributions are felt more than just on the field. He is a veteran presence and an anchor on defense that provides leadership in both the locker room and on the field. No one’s impact may be felt greater than his on defense.

Greenway felt this team was talented enough to have a good shot at winning the Super Bowl and had to came back for one more year. If anyone knows what it takes to get there, it is Greenway, who got a taste of it in 2009 when the Vikings came within a field goal of winning the NFC championship. With Greenway’s vote of confidence, Vikings’ fans should feel good about their chances in 2016.

The impact of Hunter, Kearse, Alexander, Weatherly and Greenway will be felt across the Vikings’ defense and even the team as a whole. Their significance may not yet be known, but the ability of these players to affect the outcome of a game will be by season’s end. Many will end up being fan favorites. There’s a chance one of them could be yours.

– Miles Dittberner, is a Managing Editor at cover32 and covers the Minnesota Vikings. Like and follow vikings32 on Facebook and Twitter.

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