Forum The Longship Vikings Depth on Defense

Vikings Depth on Defense

Cricket
Cricket
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https://www.vikings.com/news/quarterbacks-ota-practices-defense-depth-offseason-2026

Craig Peters

Editing Director & Quality Control

Mailbag: Vikings Depth on Defense

On defense, I agree completely: another EDGE and one more reliable corner would make this roster dangerous.

For EDGE, these are the guys I'd target:

  • Jadeveon Clowney — Still strong against the run and can wreck games in Brian Flores' scheme. He'd rotate perfectly with Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.

  • Derek Barnett — Underrated motor guy. Tough, nasty and fits the culture.

  • Matthew Judon — Veteran leader with juice left. Flores could move him everywhere.

  • Joey Bosa would've been fun, but most signs point elsewhere already.

Honestly, with how aggressive Flores is, adding one proven veteran pass rusher could turn this defense into a nightmare again. The pressure rate already ranked near the top of the league.

At corner, I'd look at:

  • Rasul Douglas — Physical veteran who fits cold-weather football.

  • Mike Hilton — Slot blitz weapon; Flores would love him.

  • Stephon Gilmore would've been nice depth again, but he retired.

I actually like what they already have with:

  • Byron Murphy, Jr.

  • Dwight McGlothern

  • James Pierre

  • Rookie Charles Demmings as a developmental piece

LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN

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#1 · Jun 1, 9:57 AM
KN
Joined Jan 2021
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Cricket wrote:

https://www.vikings.com/news/quarterbacks-ota-practices-defense-depth-offseason-2026Craig PetersEditing Director & Quality ControlMailbag: Vikings Depth on Defense On defense, I agree completely: another EDGE and one more reliable corner would make this roster dangerous.For EDGE, these are the guys I'd target:Jadeveon Clowney — Still strong against the run and can wreck games in Brian Flores' scheme. He'd rotate perfectly with Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.Derek Barnett — Underrated motor guy. Tough, nasty and fits the culture.Matthew Judon — Veteran leader with juice left. Flores could move him everywhere.Joey Bosa would've been fun, but most signs point elsewhere already.Honestly, with how aggressive Flores is, adding one proven veteran pass rusher could turn this defense into a nightmare again. The pressure rate already ranked near the top of the league.At corner, I'd look at:Rasul Douglas — Physical veteran who fits cold-weather football.Mike Hilton — Slot blitz weapon; Flores would love him.Stephon Gilmore would've been nice depth again, but he retired.I actually like what they already have with:Byron Murphy, Jr.Dwight McGlothernJames PierreRookie Charles Demmings as a developmental piece

Isaiah Rodgers

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#2 · Jun 1, 11:31 AM CT
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Forum The Longship Vikings Depth on Defense
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