Why the Vikings Must Draft an EDGE Rusher in the 1st Round of the 2022 NFL Draft
Disclaimer: This article operates under the pretense Kirk Cousins will be retained for the 2022 season, mainly because the Minnesota Vikings hired his old quarterbacks coach, Kevin O’Connell. That’s not ironclad, but it is a sensible bet.
The Vikings hold the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, somewhat of a sweet spot for a franchise that may be rebuilding — or tweaking the roster for a playoff push. The verdict on that either-or scenario will be revealed when Kirk Cousins is traded or extended.
If Minnesota does not trade the 12th pick for more draft capital, it’s time for the organization to draft an EDGE rusher.
It’s Time
Minnesota has not drafted an EDGE rusher since 2005, selecting Erasmus James on a night when it also chose Troy Williamson. The 2005 draft was not a fruitful one for Mike Tice’s Vikings.
But it’s time. The drought in drafting a pass rusher is unusually long, propped up by the performance of players like Jared Allen, Brian Robison, Everson Griffen, and Danielle Hunter — defenders not found in Round 1 by the Vikings.
The trenches are of the utmost importance in football, both offensively and defensively. While it’s neat the Vikings found a way to wiggle out of spending 1st-Round draft capital on defensive ends, now is the time to end the moratorium.
Prioritize the defensive trenches.
Danielle Hunter’s Future Is Uncertain
Suddenly, Hunter is an injury-prone player after performing marvelously and healthily from 2015 to 2019. The injury reaper caught up with the LSU alumnus. He missed 79% of all games in 2020 and 2021.
Because of his contractual price tag, compounded by the injuries, it is unclear if new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signs on for more of Hunter. Based on his 2015-2019 history, he is emphatically worth another audition at age 27.
Envision a world where Adofo-Mensah trades Hunter. Then what? D.J. Wonnum and unnamed pass rusher #1? Yuck. Trading Hunter or allowing him to walk away would almost guarantee a pass rusher like David Ojabo from Michigan winds up with Minnesota via the draft.
The Vikings can use a pass rusher — or a few — if Hunter is not on the 2022 roster.
If Hunter Stays — Then Just Get Better
What if Hunter remains with the team? Great. The more, the merrier.
Hunter needs a running mate now that Everson Griffen’s career may be over. The idea entering each offseason is to get better. Finding a 1st-Round EDGE rusher pairs a dynamic defender with Hunter — just like the Griffen days.
Indeed, the Vikings need cornerbacks, too, but the premium must be on an EDGE rusher foremost. Adofo-Mensah can find reasonably-priced corners in the free agency or the 2nd or 3rd Round of the draft. Plus, Cameron Dantzer is maturing into a damn good cornerback, and Patrick Peterson could stay in Minnesota.
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EDGE rusher — after 17 years of pass-rushing drought in the 1st Round — must be a priority on April 28th.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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