By: Jake Rajala

The Kevin O’Connell-led Minnesota Vikings squad recently released its first depth chart ahead of their pre-season contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. With that stated, I’m going to simply untwine five takeaways from the Vikings depth chart.

Ed Ingram

The rookie Ed Ingram is technically listed as a backup to Jessee Davis at RG. However, it needs to be noted that Ed Ingram had first-team reps over Davis at their spot yesterday. I believe it’s a great sign that Ingram is on pace to start in Week 1 over the veteran guard that allowed eight sacks last season.

Armon Watts

The Vikings DL Armon Watts is unequivocally one of the unsung defenders on the Viks. After Watts had his best season in 2021 (five sacks, 10 QB hits, 46 combined tackles), he is set to start next to Dalvin Tomlinson on the IDL moving forward. Nonetheless, there have been murmurs of Suh landing with the team in the Twin Cities – which would hurt Watt’s playing time.

Jordan Hicks

It isn’t a surprise that the new, versatile LB Jordan Hicks is a starter across from Eric Kendricks, but it should be regarded that Hicks and Erick Kendricks appear to be a seriously potent LB duo this off-season. Hicks garnered 116 combined tackles and four sacks with the Cardinals a season ago.

Cameron Bynum

The 24-year-old Cameron Bynum had his first start in November of last season and had flashes of talent throughout 2021. He collected one interception, three pass deflections, 28 combined tackles, and one sack last season. Bynum is dubbed as a starting safety at this point and I feel the safety that recently had an int against Kirk Cousins should start across from Harrison Smith in Week 1.

Andrew Booth Jr.

It’s expected that the young Cameron Bynum starts for the Vikings secondary soon, but it appears that the Vikings are being patient with the 2022 second-round pick Andrew Booth Jr. He is currently pegged as a backup. It will be vital that Booth Jr. can climb the ladder and really help the Vikings in their likely (in my opinion) playoff battles.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Minnesota Vikings defense rightfully resembled The Great Wall from the movie “The Great Wall” in 2021. The Vikings ranked 24th in PPG allowed and the Vikings pass defense sadly ranked 28th in passing YPG allowed a season ago. Nonetheless, I’m going to simply untwine three reasons why the Vikings defense will significantly improve in 2022.

The return of Danielle Hunter

The Vikings pass rush and pass defense will greatly benefit from a healthy Danielle Hunter (10 missed games in 2021). Hunter was from another planet in 2019 (14.5 sacks) and 2020 (14.5 sacks). Most importantly, Hunter was on pace for his best NFL season (six sacks in seven games). I expect the Vikings pass rusher to really feast against the young Bears and mediocre Lions in four games next season.

Lewis Cine

I believe that the Vikings were lucky to obtain Lewis Cine 32nd overall after NBC Sports reported that the Buccaneers had a strong interest in him. The former Georgia Bulldog and second-team All-SEC from Haiti will really help Harrison Smith on the back-end in his rookie season. His range can be a boost that MIN has desperately needed. The other rookie Andrew Booth Jr. could be a sneaky CB3 and have a similar impact as the Saints 2021 third-round pick CB Paulson Adebo, as well.

Jordan Hicks

Jordan Hicks was one of the most underrated FA signings. Outside of Za’Darius Smith’s arrival, the Vikings ILB Hicks will bring a boom to the Vikings defense. It was inspiring that the Vikings transitioned into a 3-4 defense, but it was amazing that the Vikings signed Hicks and created a potent LB duo. Hicks has ousted numerous seasons with 3+ interceptions and a few seasons of 110+ combined tackles. He is a true complete ILB next to the Pro Bowl Eric Kendricks.

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