The Minnesota Vikings are going to look a bit different on defense in 2020, but that hasn't deterred Mike Zimmer. Following the slew of changes in the offseason, the Vikings head coach is excited about the new pieces on Minnesota's defense.
“It reminds me, honestly, of college when we had five defensive starters graduate and you’ve got young guys come in and you’ve got redshirt freshmen and you’ve got to get them ready to play,” Zimmer said, via Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “That part kind of energizes us as coaches as far as, ‘OK, let’s figure out what this guy can do, how fast he can do it, and then how can we teach him the best way to be prepared to get out there and play?'”
Over the course of the offseason, the Vikings have lost Trae Waynes, Everson Griffen, Mackensie Alexander, Xavier Rhodes, and Linval Joseph on defense. Nevertheless, Minnesota used the 2020 NFL Draft as a source to replace the players they lost.
Throughout the draft, the Vikings found themselves selecting Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler, and Harrison Hand to replace the cornerbacks that left in free agency. In addition, they drafted D.J. Wonnum, James Lynch, and Kenny Willekes to fill the voids on the defensive line.
Since Zimmer has been in Minnesota, the Vikings have prided themselves on being a stingy defensive unit. As a matter of fact, with Zimmer as head coach since 2014, Minnesota has boasted a top-11 scoring defense in the NFL. Even though they will have a ton of new faces on defense, Zimmer is anxious to work with the rookies in 2020.
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