Post by Funkytown on Jul 12, 2023 11:38:40 GMT -6
With training camp around the corner, let's take a look at our roster.
Will Ragatz, from Sports Illustrated, is writing a great series doing just that!
We've talked plenty about Hunter, so...
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 98 D.J. Wonnum — Contract Year For OLB
Link: www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-roster-countdown-no-98-dj-wonnum-contract-year-olb
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 97 Harrison Phillips — Epitome of Solid at DT
Link: www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-roster-countdown-no-97-harrison-phillips-epitome-solid-dt
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 96 Ross Blacklock — Last Stand For Former High Pick?
Link:
www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-roster-countdown-96-ross-blacklock-last-stand-former-high-pick
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 95 Khyiris Tonga — Sneaky Breakout Candidate?
Link: www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-roster-countdown-no-95-khyiris-tonga-sneaky-breakout-candidate
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 94 Dean Lowry — Experienced Veteran Addition
Link: www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-roster-countdown-no-94-dean-lowry-experienced-veteran-addition
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 93 Jonathan Bullard — Journeyman DT
Link: www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-roster-countdown-no-93-jonathan-bullard-journeyman-dt
Will Ragatz, from Sports Illustrated, is writing a great series doing just that!
We've talked plenty about Hunter, so...
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 98 D.J. Wonnum — Contract Year For OLB
A fourth-round pick out of South Carolina in 2020, D.J. Wonnum has had some big moments in a Vikings uniform. As a rookie, his strip sack of Aaron Rodgers sealed an upset win at Lambeau Field. In 2021, he had five sacks in two late-season games against the Bears on his way to an eight-sack campaign.
However, 15 sacks in three years is a deceptive stat when it comes to Wonnum, who was a starter in 2021 and a rotational player in his other two seasons. Many of his sacks have been unblocked takedowns or clean-up sacks created by good coverage in the secondary. His PFF grade was in the 51 range (60 is average) for his first two seasons before going up to 58 last year. Here are his ranks in PFF pass rush grade among players with at least 400 snaps:
2020: 75th of 81
2021: 68th of 81
2022: 76th of 88
Those stats provide some context on why this contract year is a big one for Wonnum.
Best-case scenario: Wonnum tackles a big step forward and establishes himself as an impactful rotational pass rusher, setting himself up for a nice second contract in Minnesota or elsewhere.
Worst-case scenario: He continues to be ineffective as a pass rusher and falls out of Brian Flores' rotation at outside linebacker in favor of players like Patrick Jones, Luiji Vilain, and rookie Andre Carter II. The best Wonnum can do next spring is a one-year prove-it deal for the minimum somewhere else.
Outlook for 2023: Wonnum is a reliable tackler who improved as a run defender last season, but the pass rushing productivity has never been there, no matter what the sack totals say. Still, he's just 25 and has the length and athletic tools (8.04 RAS) to be a factor this year. Wonnum should easily earn a roster spot and enter the season third or fourth on the OLB depth chart, but expecting a totally different player in year four seems foolish.
However, 15 sacks in three years is a deceptive stat when it comes to Wonnum, who was a starter in 2021 and a rotational player in his other two seasons. Many of his sacks have been unblocked takedowns or clean-up sacks created by good coverage in the secondary. His PFF grade was in the 51 range (60 is average) for his first two seasons before going up to 58 last year. Here are his ranks in PFF pass rush grade among players with at least 400 snaps:
2020: 75th of 81
2021: 68th of 81
2022: 76th of 88
Those stats provide some context on why this contract year is a big one for Wonnum.
Best-case scenario: Wonnum tackles a big step forward and establishes himself as an impactful rotational pass rusher, setting himself up for a nice second contract in Minnesota or elsewhere.
Worst-case scenario: He continues to be ineffective as a pass rusher and falls out of Brian Flores' rotation at outside linebacker in favor of players like Patrick Jones, Luiji Vilain, and rookie Andre Carter II. The best Wonnum can do next spring is a one-year prove-it deal for the minimum somewhere else.
Outlook for 2023: Wonnum is a reliable tackler who improved as a run defender last season, but the pass rushing productivity has never been there, no matter what the sack totals say. Still, he's just 25 and has the length and athletic tools (8.04 RAS) to be a factor this year. Wonnum should easily earn a roster spot and enter the season third or fourth on the OLB depth chart, but expecting a totally different player in year four seems foolish.
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 97 Harrison Phillips — Epitome of Solid at DT
The Vikings signed Harrison Phillips to a three-year, $19.5 million contract last offseason, and they got exactly what they expected and hoped for during his first year in purple. The 2018 Bills third-round pick started all 18 games (including playoffs), played a career-high 693 regular season snaps, and was the definition of a solid run-stuffing defensive tackle.
Out of 62 DTs who played at least 500 snaps in 2022, Phillips was 22nd with a 72.1 PFF grade. He finished tenth in run defense grade and sixth in tackling grade, plugging gaps against the run while frequently holding his ground against multiple blockers. As anticipated, Phillips didn't provide much as a pass rusher, ranking 45th out of 66 in both pressures and pass rush grade.
In addition to his on-field contributions, Phillips came as advertised off the field: He's a great teammate and locker-room presence whose charitable efforts in the community are incredible. Phillips, who brought his Harrison's Playmakers foundation from Buffalo to Minnesota, was the Bills' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in each of his final two seasons there.
Best-case scenario: Phillips takes a slight step forward in his age-27 season, staying healthy all season again and adding a bit more impact as a pass rusher in addition to his excellent play against the run. The Vikings sign him to a multi-year extension next offseason.
Worst-case scenario: Phillips, who dealt with some injuries in Buffalo, sees regression in that area and misses some time in 2023. When he's on the field, he takes a minor step back as a poor fit in Brian Flores' scheme. The Vikings move on next offseason to create cap space and clear a larger role for 2022 fourth-round pick Jaquelin Roy.
Outlook for 2023: If he's healthy, you know what you're going to get from Phillips. He'll be among the more underrated run-defending defensive tackles in the league while offering little in the way of pressure on passing downs. As the clear No. 1 DT on the Vikings' depth chart, Phillips is a very important player in Flores' front.
Out of 62 DTs who played at least 500 snaps in 2022, Phillips was 22nd with a 72.1 PFF grade. He finished tenth in run defense grade and sixth in tackling grade, plugging gaps against the run while frequently holding his ground against multiple blockers. As anticipated, Phillips didn't provide much as a pass rusher, ranking 45th out of 66 in both pressures and pass rush grade.
In addition to his on-field contributions, Phillips came as advertised off the field: He's a great teammate and locker-room presence whose charitable efforts in the community are incredible. Phillips, who brought his Harrison's Playmakers foundation from Buffalo to Minnesota, was the Bills' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in each of his final two seasons there.
Best-case scenario: Phillips takes a slight step forward in his age-27 season, staying healthy all season again and adding a bit more impact as a pass rusher in addition to his excellent play against the run. The Vikings sign him to a multi-year extension next offseason.
Worst-case scenario: Phillips, who dealt with some injuries in Buffalo, sees regression in that area and misses some time in 2023. When he's on the field, he takes a minor step back as a poor fit in Brian Flores' scheme. The Vikings move on next offseason to create cap space and clear a larger role for 2022 fourth-round pick Jaquelin Roy.
Outlook for 2023: If he's healthy, you know what you're going to get from Phillips. He'll be among the more underrated run-defending defensive tackles in the league while offering little in the way of pressure on passing downs. As the clear No. 1 DT on the Vikings' depth chart, Phillips is a very important player in Flores' front.
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 96 Ross Blacklock — Last Stand For Former High Pick?
Last year, right around roster cutdown day, the Vikings made the surprising decision to waive defensive tackle Armon Watts, who was seen by some as a possible breakout candidate. To replace him, they traded a sixth-round pick to the Texans for Ross Blacklock and a seventh. Blacklock was the No. 40 overall pick out of TCU in 2020 who had disappointed during his two seasons in Houston.
A change of scenery didn't spark his career in 2022. Blacklock appeared in the first 11 games of the season, typically playing between 10-19 snaps with unremarkable results. He was a healthy scratch down the stretch and took a pay cut of roughly $680K this spring in order to stick around for another year. Blacklock missed OTAs and minicamp due to injury, so he needs to get healthy and have a big training camp and preseason to make the roster this year.
Best-case scenario: Blacklock impresses this summer, makes the 53-man roster, and carves out a rotational role.
Worst-case scenario: He either can't get healthy or struggles to stand out and winds up being cut before the season without even landing on the practice squad.
Outlook for 2023: This is make-or-break time for Blacklock, who was an early second-rounder in 2020 after recording 3.5 sacks and nine total TFL as a junior at TCU. The 25-year-old does have some legitimately intriguing potential as a pass rush specialist; he had 25 pressures in 2021 and 11 more last season in limited reps. However, run defense and tackling woes have kept Blacklock from ascending in the NFL. It would be quite surprising if he turns it on and has a breakout year, but it isn't completely out of the question.
A change of scenery didn't spark his career in 2022. Blacklock appeared in the first 11 games of the season, typically playing between 10-19 snaps with unremarkable results. He was a healthy scratch down the stretch and took a pay cut of roughly $680K this spring in order to stick around for another year. Blacklock missed OTAs and minicamp due to injury, so he needs to get healthy and have a big training camp and preseason to make the roster this year.
Best-case scenario: Blacklock impresses this summer, makes the 53-man roster, and carves out a rotational role.
Worst-case scenario: He either can't get healthy or struggles to stand out and winds up being cut before the season without even landing on the practice squad.
Outlook for 2023: This is make-or-break time for Blacklock, who was an early second-rounder in 2020 after recording 3.5 sacks and nine total TFL as a junior at TCU. The 25-year-old does have some legitimately intriguing potential as a pass rush specialist; he had 25 pressures in 2021 and 11 more last season in limited reps. However, run defense and tackling woes have kept Blacklock from ascending in the NFL. It would be quite surprising if he turns it on and has a breakout year, but it isn't completely out of the question.
www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-roster-countdown-96-ross-blacklock-last-stand-former-high-pick
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 95 Khyiris Tonga — Sneaky Breakout Candidate?
Tonga got his first opportunity in a Vikings uniform in a Week 8 win over the Cardinals and didn't look back. He played at least 20 defensive snaps in ten of the final 11 games (including playoffs) and earned a very strong 77.8 grade from PFF. Not only was he fantastic against the run, Tonga also racked up ten pressures and batted down four passes in a rotational role.
This season, with Dalvin Tomlinson no longer in the mix at DT, Tonga has a chance to earn even more playing time.
Best-case scenario: Tonga proves that last year wasn't a fluke and beats out Dean Lowry for a starting job next to Harrison Phillips, playing heavily on early downs and even in some passing situations.
Worst-case scenario: Tonga can't keep up the momentum from last season and fades into a minor role.
Outlook for 2023: Harrison Phillips and Dean Lowry are the Vikings' projected starters at DT, but Tonga is right there as well. He was legitimately excellent last year on 300 snaps, so he should at least enter the season as an important rotational piece on Minnesota's defensive line. There's breakout potential here if Tonga can beat out Lowry for a starting role and maintain last year's level of play across 500 or 600 snaps.
This season, with Dalvin Tomlinson no longer in the mix at DT, Tonga has a chance to earn even more playing time.
Best-case scenario: Tonga proves that last year wasn't a fluke and beats out Dean Lowry for a starting job next to Harrison Phillips, playing heavily on early downs and even in some passing situations.
Worst-case scenario: Tonga can't keep up the momentum from last season and fades into a minor role.
Outlook for 2023: Harrison Phillips and Dean Lowry are the Vikings' projected starters at DT, but Tonga is right there as well. He was legitimately excellent last year on 300 snaps, so he should at least enter the season as an important rotational piece on Minnesota's defensive line. There's breakout potential here if Tonga can beat out Lowry for a starting role and maintain last year's level of play across 500 or 600 snaps.
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 94 Dean Lowry — Experienced Veteran Addition
A fourth-round pick in 2016, Lowry appeared in 111 regular season games with 80 starts for the Packers across seven years. His 482 defensive snaps last season were his fewest since his rookie year, ending a four-year run with at least 600 annually. Lowry can play both end and tackle in a 3-4 scheme and give you quality reps as a run defender and pass rusher. He's not a spectacular player, but he's big, strong, athletic, and unlikely to make many mistakes.
PFF liked Lowry more early in his career, but he did have a big 2021 season for the Packers, setting career highs in sacks (5.0), pressures (42), and passes defended (4) across 17 games. Lowry has also appeared in eight career playoff games with Green Bay.
Best-case scenario: Lowry plays 600-700 snaps as a starter up front and gives the Vikings solid performances week in and week out. Something like a 70 PFF grade with 4-5 sacks and great run defense is the peak outcome here.
Worst-case scenario: He's mediocre enough that he falls behind players like Khyiris Tonga and Jonathan Bullard on the depth chart at DT.
Outlook for 2023: Giving Lowry $8.5 million over two years was an understandable move for the Vikings in the wake of losing Tomlinson. He should fit Brian Flores' 3-4 scheme well and provide a high floor at his position, even if he doesn't bring much in terms of ceiling. Lowry is an established veteran who doesn't have a particularly big range of outcomes. He'll likely hold down a starting job all year unless someone younger comes and takes it from him.
PFF liked Lowry more early in his career, but he did have a big 2021 season for the Packers, setting career highs in sacks (5.0), pressures (42), and passes defended (4) across 17 games. Lowry has also appeared in eight career playoff games with Green Bay.
Best-case scenario: Lowry plays 600-700 snaps as a starter up front and gives the Vikings solid performances week in and week out. Something like a 70 PFF grade with 4-5 sacks and great run defense is the peak outcome here.
Worst-case scenario: He's mediocre enough that he falls behind players like Khyiris Tonga and Jonathan Bullard on the depth chart at DT.
Outlook for 2023: Giving Lowry $8.5 million over two years was an understandable move for the Vikings in the wake of losing Tomlinson. He should fit Brian Flores' 3-4 scheme well and provide a high floor at his position, even if he doesn't bring much in terms of ceiling. Lowry is an established veteran who doesn't have a particularly big range of outcomes. He'll likely hold down a starting job all year unless someone younger comes and takes it from him.
Vikings Roster Countdown: No. 93 Jonathan Bullard — Journeyman DT
Coming out of the University of Florida, Bullard's athleticism and senior-year production — 6.5 sacks, 18 total tackles for loss — made him a top-75 pick. But he only started five games across three seasons in Chicago, occupying a rotational role and providing roughly replacement-level play. Bullard has been good enough to keep making a roster and earning some playing time every year, but he's also been mediocre enough to play for five teams in five seasons. Interestingly, he's earned a PFF grade between 56.2 and 56.7 (60 is average) in four consecutive years.
With the Vikings in 2022, Bullard started a career-high seven games and played 318 defensive snaps, his highest total since his second season. As usual, he was merely adequate, recording five tackles for loss and a solid run defense grade. Bullard didn't have a sack all season, but did have his first postseason sack in the loss to the Giants.
Best-case scenario: Bullard sees another 300-400 snaps in a rotational role and plays well enough to stick around in Minnesota for a third season in 2024.
Worst-case scenario: Already behind Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, and Khyiris Tonga on the projected depth chart, Bullard falls out of the rotation in favor of someone like rookie Jaquelin Roy or second-year player Esezi Otomewo. He ends up fighting for a roster spot on his sixth different team next year.
Outlook for 2023: As mentioned, Bullard is essentially a replacement-level veteran defensive tackle. And to be clear, those are valuable players to have. You know what you're going to get from him. If he can hold off players like Roy, Otomewo, James Lynch, and Blacklock, he should make the roster as part of the DL rotation for Brian Flores.
With the Vikings in 2022, Bullard started a career-high seven games and played 318 defensive snaps, his highest total since his second season. As usual, he was merely adequate, recording five tackles for loss and a solid run defense grade. Bullard didn't have a sack all season, but did have his first postseason sack in the loss to the Giants.
Best-case scenario: Bullard sees another 300-400 snaps in a rotational role and plays well enough to stick around in Minnesota for a third season in 2024.
Worst-case scenario: Already behind Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, and Khyiris Tonga on the projected depth chart, Bullard falls out of the rotation in favor of someone like rookie Jaquelin Roy or second-year player Esezi Otomewo. He ends up fighting for a roster spot on his sixth different team next year.
Outlook for 2023: As mentioned, Bullard is essentially a replacement-level veteran defensive tackle. And to be clear, those are valuable players to have. You know what you're going to get from him. If he can hold off players like Roy, Otomewo, James Lynch, and Blacklock, he should make the roster as part of the DL rotation for Brian Flores.
... and neither is this Chris guy.