It’s PFF season. By that, I mean Pro Football Focus is releasing their annual offseason content. My particular favorite is the always-controversial NFL ranking list, and one of their most recent entries does not disappoint.
The Minnesota Vikings have not been known for exceptional linebacker play for the last few seasons. There are multiple reasons: injuries, lack of depth, etc. It seemed like the situation would get worse, especially now that Anthony Barr is probably gone. But Seth Galina of PFF recently ranked Minnesota as having the fifth-best linebacker unit in the NFL. That sounded absurd until I dug into their linebacking corps.
Galina’s top-seven LB units in the NFL are as follows:
- San Francisco 49ers
- Indianapolis Colts
- New Orleans Saints
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Dallas Cowboys
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
He ranks all 32, but these seven teams are the most important relative to Minnesota’s spot on this list. At first glance, there’s no way that the Vikings’ LBs are better than Tampa Bay’s, for example, who have Lavonte David, Devin White, and Shaquil Barrett. All studs.
Even the Cowboys’ linebacker group is pretty damn good with Micah Parsons, Leighton Vander Esch, and Dante Fowler Jr. They are more on par with where the Vikings are on paper. So, with a little shuffling around, I think this list is pretty good.
Furthermore, Galina doesn’t go into great detail about why he ranked the Vikings No. 5. I don’t blame him since it’s impossible to break down all 32 teams in great detail, but he fails to mention a significant change the Vikings are facing this year. They moved to a 3-4 defense from a 4-3.
He also only mentioned Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks when highlighting Minnesota’s group. The Vikings’ two middle linebackers look great on paper, but there’s very little depth behind them. More notably: What about the two outside linebackers? There’s not much depth behind them either, but they are two elite pass rushers in Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith.
On the surface, this lineup does look more impressive than last season’s simply because the move to 3-4 took two of Minnesota’s best defenders from the defensive line to the linebacking unit. However, it really is just two D-linemen moved to the OLB position on a depth chart because of the scheme change. But that doesn’t change too much about the game plan itself. Pass rushers will still be pass rushing.
All this is fine and dandy, but I’m more concerned about the depth behind these guys – especially once Ed Donatell starts shifting people around. Earlier in the year, Donatell said he feels comfortable playing Hunter at LB or defensive end. Who takes his place on the edge if he moves inside?
D.J. Wonnum is a potential backup, per ESPN. He did okay in relief last season, but I wouldn’t say I’m excited to see him play the edge more than a handful of snaps per game. And considering that Jaylen Twyman is penciled in as the starting defensive end, I think Hunter will often slide down to the D-line to start the year. Twyman was injured last year and hasn’t made an NFL start yet.
But that doesn’t mean the Vikings can’t have an exceptional linebacker room by the end of the season. A top-five ranking in the NFL is too high right now. I can’t in good conscience put the Vikings ahead of the Buccaneers. But the Vikings have some promise, even behind the starters at linebacker. They just need some time to show it.
There’s one player I’m particularly interested in seeing at one of the two MLB positions. Chazz Surratt has what it takes to be a field general down the line. He’s a former quarterback who converted to linebacker at UNC. I think he’ll eventually wear the green dot in the future, especially with Hicks looking like a two-year rental. It’s worth noting that Surratt is also projected to be the backup weak-side LB. He could play snaps in coverage while Hunter pass rushes in front of him.
Having a QB’s knowledge at LB is invaluable. You think Kendricks is a good field general? How about the guy who used to execute the plays he’s defending? Surratt is a smart, hardworking player who is new to the LB position. All signs point to him growing into a starter.
PFF has overrated Minnesota’s linebacker unit, but not by much. It just depends on how well the group melds by the end of the season. But even if there are some injuries (like there always are), they could still have some incredible growth and become the core of the defense.
