2 Former Vikings Surprisingly Grab Starting Jobs in Carolina
If you’ve been a Minnesota Vikings fan for longer than a couple of years, you’re probably familiar with the names D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II.
Two ex-Vikings have surprisingly earned starting gigs with the Panthers, leaving fans curious about their new roles and unexpected career turns.
Both were employed by the purple team in recent seasons in a reserve capacity — and both are on tap to start for the Carolina Panthers this year.
Carolina released a depth chart last week, and Wonnum + Jones II got the nod as starters.
Carolina Hands Starting Jobs to Pair of Former Vikings
One team’s bench players are another’s starters.
Panthers to Start D.J. Wonnum, Patrick Jones II at OLB
Carolina has two young and promising outside linebackers on the depth chart in addition to Wonnum and Jones II, both high- and mid-round rookies, but head coach Dave Canales evidently prefers veterans.
Soon after the draft, Panthers fans were quite excited about Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. Those men will have to wait their turn, however, because it’s two ex-Vikings out of the gate with starting jobs.
Carolina also has a 2023 3rd-Rounder, D.J. Johnson, in the mix at OLB.
Wonnum as a Partial Carryover
Wonnum joined the Panthers last year, his first season outside of Minnesota.
He missed the season’s first seven games, recovering from a torn quad that he suffered as a member of the Vikings, but returned midseason and later started eight games for his new team.
All told, Wonnum tabulated 4 sacks, 6 QB Hits, and a subpar 55.0 Pro Football Focus grade on 454 defensive snaps. He’ll hope to improve that 55.0 score, which ranked 95th in the NFL among 119 qualifying EDGE rushers.
Jones II, the Newcomer
Jones II, on the other hand, just departed the Twin Cities.
Minnesota used Jones II quite frequently in the 2024 defense, a unit that ranked second in the NFL per EPA/Play, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did not prioritize his return during free agency.
Instead, the Vikings will showcase second-year EDGE Dallas Turner on Sundays in 2025, after many wondered why Jones II took “Turner’s snaps” in the first place. Jones II banked 7 sacks in his final season with the purple team, along with a 55.8 grade, only slightly better than Wonnum’s, his new (and old) running mate.
Wonnum and Jones II worked together in Minnesota for three seasons (2021-2023).
Hungry Rookies in the Waiting
Before too long, Scourton above and Umanmielen will take over for Wonnum and Jones II. That’s the plan, anyway.
Scourton, especially, has a promising profile, picked by the Panthers with the 51st overall pick.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Scourton’s skill set to Trey Hendrickson before the draft and wrote: “Physical edge presence with the potential for creating havoc on all three downs. Scourton can power across the blocker’s face and into gaps but is an average ‘set-and-contain’ run defender. He plays with adequate hustle and range in pursuit and hits runners with heavy pads.”
“He’s an eclectic rusher with a mature rush plan and rarely shows opponents the same look on consecutive plays. He won’t outrace or bulldoze tackles, but he utilizes tempo alterations and a bag full of moves and counters. Teams threw chips and double-teams his way out of concern and respect. Scourton’s size, demeanor and rush talent give him a chance to become a productive three-down starter off the edge.”
Zierlein’s comp for Umanmielen? Whitney Mercilus, who played in the NFL from 2012 to 2021.
Panthers-Themed Media on the OLBs
Charlotte Observer‘s Mike Kaye wrote about the OLB situation last month, “Jones, who played with Wonnum for three years in Minnesota, arrived in Carolina in March. Like Wonnum in 2024, Jones signed a two-year pact with the Panthers in 2025. The deal is worth $15 million in base value, but it also has incentives that can stretch the earnings up to $19 million.”
“The Panthers were proactive during Day 2 of the draft, trading up for Scourton in the second round and Umanmielen in the third round. The two pass rushers have different skill sets and body types, and [OLB coach AC] Carter will need to bring out the best in both to have a stable position group in 2025.”
Carolina ranked second-worst in the NFL last year per ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric.
Kaye continued, “Scourton, who won’t turn 21 until August 25, is a unique prospect. He lost roughly 28 pounds between the start of his junior campaign at Texas A&M and his selection in April’s NFL Draft. While he’s still a bulkier outside linebacker, Scourton’s weight loss should make him a bit more explosive and athletic off the line.”
“He’s known for his relentless motor and football IQ, but the svelter physique is likely to give him an added edge in his performance at the next level. With a projected rotation featuring Wonnum, Jones, Scourton and Umanmielen — and perhaps others, like Johnson — Carter could prove his worth sooner rather than later. The Panthers need to see a positive impact early on if they want to get off to a strong start on defense.”
Wonnum, Jones II, and the Panthers take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in six days.
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