Vikings Solved Depth Chart Mystery Last Weekend
Think the Minnesota Vikings could stand to use some more roster depth at outside linebacker?
The Vikings may have resolved one of their key depth chart battles during last weekend’s preseason game, solidifying the roster spot and all questions.
They do not agree, and in fact, have disagreed all offseason.
So when the preseason arrived last weekend, and second-year EDGE Gabriel Murphy popped off, the team solved an offseason mystery quite emphatically.
The Vikings Don’t Need More OLBs; They’re Content
Murphy did the thing in Preseason Game No. 1.
Gabriel Murphy Shines in Preseason
Before the first exhibition bout against the Houston Texans, Minnesota released an unofficial depth chart, with Murphy living alone at the OLB4 spot. Fans nodded and enjoyed the clarity after wondering about an OLB4 summer battle between Murphy, Bo Richter, and rookie Tyler Batty.
Inside that preseason showdown, however, Murphy exploded. He logged 5 QB hits and 1.5 sacks — that looked like 2 sacks to the naked eye.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Murphy after the preseason showing, “He feels like a man on a mission right now in a lot of ways, and I’m just proud of him. Proud of where he is at in camp right now, and now he just has to set his sights on continuing to compete.”
And just like that, Minnesota cleared up the riddle: it doesn’t need more OLBs. It has Murphy as its ace in the hole behind Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner.
Murphy mentioned his roster ascension this week, “This time last year I was on the sidelines watching, so it was good getting out there with the guys, and I thank God every morning that I can. Sky’s the limit. I’m just going to keep working and see where the chips fall.”
No Veteran OLB Needed
For months, onlookers saw oodles of undrafted free agents behind Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner, cautiously wondering why the purple team wouldn’t add a depth EDGE or re-sign Patrick Jones II or Jihad Ward.
Almost always, decent EDGEs live on the free-agent wire. That position and safeties aren’t difficult to find if a team needs a “depth guy.”
After watching Murphy’s performance in the preseason, it became abundantly clear: the UCLA alumnus is more productive than any would-be 32-year-old pass rusher that could be scooped from free agency.
Current Options Ignored on the Market
For example, if this analysis has fundamentally swung and missed, and Minnesota wants another pass rusher, these EDGEs are available on the open market:
- Jadeveon Clowney
- Jerry Hughes
- Carl Lawson
- Yannick Ngakoue
- Preston Smith
- Za’Darius Smith
- DeMarcus Walker
Many from the group have big-name appeal. But nope — Minnesota has Murphy.
Vikings Content with OLB Group
Full context, these are Minnesota’s OLBs with roster trimdowns 13 days away:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Dallas Turner
- Gabriel Murphy
- Bo Richter
- Tyler Batty
Prior to last Saturday’s preseason game, UDFA rookie Chaz Chambliss was listed as OLB7, but during the game, he played right in the middle of the field, suggesting that defensive coordinator Brian Flores prefers him at an off-ball linebacker spot.
More on Murphy
UCLAWire‘s Ryan Lorenz also opined on Murphy’s preseason breakout.
He wrote, ‘Minnesota Vikings linebacker and former UCLA Bruin Gabriel Murphy had quite a performance against the Houston Texans this past weekend. He has received a lot of praise from it.”
“Murphy received the highest Pro Football Focus grade of any defender on the Vikings with an 89.4 rating, according to Vikings Wire. He received praise from his head coach, Kevin O’Connell, as well as CBS player analyst Chris Trapasso. It seems likely that he will remain on the 53-man roster come September.”
Murphy, beyond the shadow of a doubt, is a lock for the 53-man roster. The team’s fans couldn’t say that for sure about him two months ago.
Lorenz added, “Murphy dominated during his time on the field and caused many fans to be aware of him with 5 quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and 1 tackle-for-loss, according to ESPN. O’Connell continued to say that the outside linebacker position is stacked on the Vikings.”
“According to the Vikings’ unofficial depth chart, Murphy is the backup to Jonathan Greenard, with Dallas Turner being the backup to Andrew Van Ginkel.”
Minnesota’s next exhibition game, with more Murphy on deck, is Saturday at noon CST against the New England Patriots.
You must be logged in to post a comment.