It’s very difficult to construct a perfect roster in the modern NFL.
The salary cap and limited draft assets make roster construction a continuous series of cost-benefit analyses and value propositions. Even the best teams have gaps, and it’s unrealistic to expect any team to fill all of them in a single offseason—especially for a team like the Minnesota Vikings, who had numerous holes in their defense entering the offseason.
Minnesota needed to bolster their cornerback position to allow Byron Murphy to play more in his natural slot role. They needed a replacement for inside linebacker Jordan Hicks and help on the edge, especially after letting Danielle Hunter go. Despite these challenges, the front office made efforts to address these needs through free agency and the draft.
Shaquill Griffin and Blake Cashman are not stars but bring starting experience. Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner offer hope that Hunter’s absence won’t be too detrimental. The front office can take pride in their attempts to improve these positions.
Then there’s the interior defensive line.
Harrison Phillips has been a consistent and solid addition since he joined the Vikings two years ago. However, the rest of the interior defensive line is concerning. Outside of Phillips, the group has been underwhelming, unproven, or disappointing. This area might be the team’s biggest defensive liability.
Potential starters alongside Phillips include second-year DT Jaquelin Roy, veteran journeyman Jonathan Bullard, and former first-round pick Jerry Tillery. Though uninspiring, there might be some upside. Other players like seventh-round pick Levi Drake Rodriguez, former Los Angeles Rams DT Jonah Williams, and the recently re-signed James Lynch could also earn snaps. However, this group seems unlikely to perform above average.
Despite these concerns, Brian Flores, the defensive coordinator, might still make it work. Last season, the Vikings overcame defensive weaknesses with creative play-calling, and this year’s personnel seems better suited to manage without extreme measures.
Internally, the team may have more confidence in their players than outsiders do. Jaquelin Roy’s rookie season might not have impressed many, but the coaching staff appears to bet on his development. If Roy can become a consistent player, it could significantly improve the defense.
Adofo-Mensah, the general manager, seems to favor investing in former first-round picks who haven’t yet lived up to their potential. If Jerry Tillery can contribute as a valuable rotational player, it would be a major boost. Although Tillery was initially seen as a high-upside disruptor, even a portion of that potential in a rotational role would be beneficial.
Nevertheless, the interior defensive line remains Minnesota’s biggest defensive weakness. The lack of depth is concerning, as injuries could severely impact the team. Whether this becomes a manageable weakness or an Achilles’ heel will be revealed over time.
