If Not Everson Griffen, Vikings Fans Have Firm Prediction for RDE
Dustin Baker
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As of the third week in August, the starting right defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings is dependent on the decision to welcome Everson Griffen back to the roster.
The ex-Vikings pass rusher worked out for the team earlier this week, hoping to effectuate a return to Minnesota after a one-year sabbatical with the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Griffen has fences to mend – he insulted the Vikings organization and the team’s quarterback several months ago on Twitter – but would be an apt on-the-field addition to the 2021 Vikings if general manager Rick Spielman pulls the trigger. Minnesota stormed free agency this offseason, adding gobs of defensive personnel in efforts to bolster depth following a defensive undoing during the pandemic season.
But the defensive end spot was curiously the one area where Spielman signed Stephen Weatherly – also a former Viking – and “called it good.” Weatherly is a good football player but not on the level of prime Everson Griffen. Several other pass rushers were available in free agency, many of them better than Weatherly. Still, Spielman maintained a Weatherly-only posture and added rookies Patrick Jones II and Janarius Robinson via the 2021 NFL Draft.
Therefore, if the Vikings and Griffen cannot reach an agreement, a potpourri of pass rushers is the solution for RDE, the place in the trenches opposite Danielle Hunter, who returns from a season-long 2020 injury. Those men are Weatherly, rookies Jones and Robinson, and D.J. Wonnum.
And should Griffen not factor into plans this September, Vikings fans have a prediction for RDE1 – D.J. Wonnum.
Who starts at RDE for the Vikings Week 1?
Your prediction — not what you want.
— Dustin Baker (@DustBaker) August 17, 2021
The poll is unscientific and 508 people responded.
During training camp, the Vikings became creative with Wonnum’s usage. Head coach Mike Zimmer toyed around with Wonnum in a linebacker capacity. Zimmer doesn’t implement a 3-4 defense – he’s a 4-3 savant – but Wonnum saw some 3-4 utilization.
That’s enough for a simple majority of Vikings enthusiasts. Wonnum possesses a higher upside than Weatherly – that’s the working theory anyway – so why not get him started in 2021? That’s the fans’ sentiment.
Wonnum was the player that strip-sacked Aaron Rodgers in a November game last season at Lambeau Field. The play ended the game, kickstarting a temporary resurgence by the Vikings after a trashy 1-5 start to the pandemic season. Minnesota even dragged the win-loss record back to .500 before collapsing all over again. It was Wonnum’s game-ending stat that fueled the brief revival – that and Dalvin Cook’s terror imposed on defenses.
Then, Wonnum grabbed an interception from Jake Browning in the Vikings first organized scrimmage at U.S. Bank Stadium a few weeks ago. The man makes headlines. In the business, that is called a playmaker.
He makes noteworthy plays whereas Weatherly is a grinder, making his impact in reservist duty as he did in 2018 when the aforementioned Griffen missed several games.
It should be noted that a non-diminished version of Griffen is preferable to either Wonnum or Weatherly. However, Griffen will be 34 years old this December, indicating his ”cliff” may be evident at any time. His deal will likely be for one year if he signs with the Vikings.
If the decision is between Weatherly, Wonnumn, Jones, and Robinson, though, Vikings fans formally predict a starting gig for Wonnum – to the tune of 50.6%.