Way too early Vikings 53-man roster prediction

Defensive Line

DL: Everson Griffen, Brian Robison, Linval Joseph, Jaleel Johnson, Danielle Hunter, Datone Jones, Will Sutton, Stephen Weatherly, Shamar Stephen

PUP: Sharrif Floyd

Danielle Hunter may have been the greatest surprise on the team last season. In limited duty, the young phenom produced 12.5 sacks for a team that posted 38, good enough for tenth in the NFL.

This season, Hunter looks to claim a starting spot on the defensive line, along with captain Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph. According to the Pioneer Press, even incumbent starter Brian Robision admitted that Hunter has earned the opportunity, but he won’t let that stop him from competing.

"“At the end of the day, I’m worried about wins and losses, so I want to do whatever is going to help the team win. And obviously that’s up to the coaches… This is no way in me giving up a position, but I think when you look at what Danielle has done this year, he’s earned the right or at least earned a shot at the starting position.”"

Although that battle is worth mentioning, the most interesting battle on the defensive line is for the 3-technique starting spot. Last season, Sharrif Floyd was the assumed starter, but knee problems resulting in a career-threatening nerve issue forced him to sit out the year after playing 25 plays in the opening game.

Due to recent news on his potential career-threatening injury, I have Floyd on the PUP, at least to start the season.

That leaves many potential options to fill the gap on the defensive line. With Floyd struggling to stay healthy, Shamar Stephen took over to start all 16 games last season, but didn’t have great results, posting 39 tackles and no sacks.

To Stephen’s defense, he’s better equipped for the nose tackle spot than the 3-technique, which tends to be suited for an athletic, pass rushing defensive tackle.

Nevertheless, Stephen will be in the hunt, along with Datone Jones, who was signed from the Green Bay Packers, and fourth rounder Jaleel Johnson. Johnson was a solid contributor for the Iowa Hawkeyes, leading the team with 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

To finish out the group, I have Stephen Weatherly, an athletic, promising defensive end, and Will Sutton making the team after being signed away from the Chicago Bears at the expense of Toby Johnson.

Sutton, as well as Jones, didn’t fit well into their previous defensive schemes, so a change to the Vikings may help them reach their potential, especially as they are coached up by Zimmer and defensive line coach Andre Patterson.

While releasing a young, talented tackle in Johnson was somewhat of a surprise, I take that as a sign that the team views Sutton as someone that can contribute in the defensive line rotation, particularly as a pass-rushing nose tackle.

On a side note, I have defensive tackle Tom Johnson as a cut casualty due to his decline in play last season and younger options on the defensive line.