The Minnesota Vikings will play the New York Giants this Sunday, September 8th, at noon CST. It's a huge game for both franchises, as their regimes enter their third seasons.
The Vikings are in a competitive rebuild under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah but they have been 20-14 over those first two years. This year is the reset year where the team is still likely to be competitive but it's a semi-longshot to make the playoffs.
When it comes to the defense, it's an interesting unit. After finishing 13th in total defense and 17th in scoring defense, there are still a lot of questions about what this group could be. There are some intriguing elements to focus on.
Levi Drake Rodriguez leads DL in sacks
The defensive line is in a very odd place. It's somehow in a worse spot this year than it was last year. Two of the starters are back from last year in Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard, plus they added Jerry Tillery. After that, it's seventh-round pick Rodriguez, UDFA Taki Taimani and UFL signee Jalen Redmond. Not exactly a murderers row and you could argue that it's the weakest group in the NFL.
Rodriguez is a widely regarded prospect for being a seventh-round pick. He was Kalyn Kahler's Prospect X this year and showed a ton of promise this offseason. Rodriguez has one of the biggest motors we've seen in purple since John Randle and can play multiple spots across the defensive line. With the lack of depth on the line, Rodriguez has a real chance to take advantage and be a force as a situational pass rusher. It could become the case especially since both Phillips and Bullard aren't great pass rushers.
Dallas Turner has multiple interceptions
Why would an edge rusher have multiple interceptions? They aren't exactly players that drop into coverage often. The difference here is that Turner has incredibly rare movement skills and even drew comparisons to former linebacker Dont'a Hightower from both defensive coordinator Brian Flores and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
That element has me really intrigued with how Flores plans to use Turner. He does have the athleticism and fluidity in his hips to run with running backs and tight ends if needed. Flores loves to have players with versatility, especially with his willingness to use three edge rushers on the field at a time. Don't be surprised if that becomes a trend and Turner takes advantage of quarterbacks.
Josh Metellus makes the Pro Bowl
This Vikings team loves to play their safeties. Last season, Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum and Metellus all played over 1,000 snaps last season. Some of that was due to the lack of depth at inside linebacker but in reality, the safety room was simply really good.
Metellus was the breakout star of the defense last year after signing a two-year extension out of the blue before the 2023 season began. He wasn't ever a starter for the Vikings but he was essentially one last year. He played so many different roles for the Vikings that Next Gen Stats didn't know how to properly attribute him. This season will be a different case, as they know what he is now.
Vikings trade Stephon Gilmore at trade deadline
The Vikings aren't going to be a bad team in 2024, but they likely won't make the playoffs. Along with that, the Vikings don't have much draft capital this offseason. With only guaranteed picks in the first and fifth rounds (two selections), they will need to find ways to recoup draft capital.
The one way they can do so is by trading players at the trade deadline. Stephon Gilmore fits the bill. The former All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year was solid last season with the Dallas Cowboys and another solid year could prove fruitful for the Vikings. A team in the playoff push could pursue Gilmore and his relatively cheap price to fortify their secondary.
