These Are the Vikings’ 20 New Players on Defense

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The Minnesota Vikings’ regular season begins in New York on September 8th, also known as 52 days from now.

These Are the Vikings’ 20 New Players on Defense

This offseason, the club said goodbye to approximately 20 players, marking the final chapter of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s competitive rebuild.

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Earlier this week, we profiled all newcomers on offense, and that can be read here. And with no further ado, these are the fresh players in Brian Flores’ defense.

Defensive Line

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Newcomers:
Levi Drake Rodriguez
Tyler Manoa
Jalen Redmond
Taki Taimani
Jerry Tillery
Jonah Williams

For the DL spot next to Harrison Phillips, Tillery, Williams, and possibly Drake Rodriguez or Redmond will battle for a starter’s job and playing time, on the whole. Tillery, a former 1st-Rounder, is the frontrunner to win the job, though Jonathan Bullard, who is not a newcomer, cannot be ruled out.

Taimani is noteworthy because he’s huge, and Minnesota has virtually no other big-bodied nose tackle-type defensive lineman. He could be a sleeper to make the 53-man roster.

Manoa will likely hit the practice squad or waiver wire.

For perspective, many consider DT the weak link of Minnesota’s defense.

EDGE (or Outside Linebacker)

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Green Bay Packers tackled Dennis Kelly (79) provides pass protection from Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) during their preseason game Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Houston Texans beat the Green Bay Packers 26-7. Packers15 22. © Milwaukee Journal SentinelMARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Newcomers:
Jonathan Greenard
Gabriel Murphy

Owen Porter
Bo Richter
Dallas Turner
Andrew Van Ginkel
Jihad Ward

Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, and D.J. Wonnum exited stage left, while the seven men above represent the new blood.

Greenard, Turner, and Van Ginkel are shoo-ins for playing time and starters’ snaps. Murphy and Ward might be the final two men to receive active roster spots in September. Porter and Richter will seek to avoid roster cuts, eyeing the 2024 practice squad.

Off-Ball Linebackers

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Newcomers:
Blake Cashman
K.J. Cloyd

Dallas Gant
Kamu Grugier-Hill

Jordan Hicks joined the Cleveland Browns in March, and Cashman, an Eden Prairie high school graduate, came home. He’s a for-sure starter on the 2024 defense. His pass coverage skills should greatly enhance Flores’ scheme.

Grugier-Hill will slide into the “Troy Dye role,” with Cloyd and Gant probably on the outside looking in.

Defensive Backs

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Newcomers:
A.J. Green III
Shaquill Griffin
Dwight McGlothern

This section would’ve been significantly more promising if not for Khyree Jackson’s tragic death 12 days ago.

Griffin will probably start on the outside, opposite Byron Murphy. McGlothern is a sneaky undrafted free agent who could turn heads later this month and next. And Green III is likely a roster cut.

Meanwhile, the free-agent wire still features Stephon Gilmore and Xavien Howard if Minnesota needs depth after Jackson’s passing.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.