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Players to Watch at Minnesota Vikings Camp: Defense

The Minnesota Vikings have one of the best defenses in the NFL, if not the best. Here are some defensive players to watch in training camp.
Mike Hughes

The Minnesota Vikings are now fully immersed in training camp. With things heating up, here are a few defensive players to watch. If you want to view the offensive players to watch in camp, click here.

Defensive Players to Watch at Minnesota Vikings Camp

Mike Hughes, CB

Mike Hughes is in an interesting spot heading into his first NFL season. The first-round pick is stepping into one of the best secondaries in the NFL with plenty of talent ahead of him. With Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes, fellow first-round corners, already locking up the outside, Hughes will slide inside to play nickel corner. However, 2016 second-round selection Mackensie Alexander and 16-year veteran Terence Newman are also competing for the job. Hughes has to adjust to a new position while learning a new playbook. This preseason will be huge for Hughes in a Mike Zimmer defense. Another reason to keep an eye on Hughes is for his return ability. Special teams coach Mike Priefer stated that Hughes opened camp as the top kick returner.

The Vikings spent the 30th overall pick on a position they have plenty of talent at already, but Hughes was worth the selection. Regardless of the talent ahead of him on the depth chart, Hughes will see the field in the preseason and the regular season on defense and special teams.

Holton Hill, CB

Holton Hill is another talented corner worth mentioning. After a stellar career at Texas, Hill was suspended for a violation of team rules, subsequently ending his 2017 campaign early. As a result, Hill entered the 2018 NFL draft early. In April, Hill failed a drug test at the NFL combine and he wound up going undrafted. The Vikings quickly made an offer for Hill as an undrafted free agent. Now, Hill has shown his talents on the field within an aforementioned loaded secondary. He seems to be in the headlines after every practice due to both his play on the field and his work ethic. The rookie has sought out Xavier Rhodes for advice throughout camp.

The Vikings are taking a huge risk on a guy with off-field question marks, but he has stood out so far this summer. The front office, coaching staff, and teammates all need to keep Hill in line and out of trouble. If so, he has the talent to be one of the biggest acquisitions of the off-season.

Jaleel Johnson, DT

Jaleel Johnson was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He had a boring rookie season as he only played sparingly. This summer, the Vikings went out and signed Sheldon Richardson to a one-year deal. There is a dominant defensive line already in place, so Johnson is again set to be a backup and rotational player. But given that Richardson is only signed for this season, look for Johnson to sit behind him and learn. The ultimate goal should be for Johnson to develop enough to be the starting three-technique in 2019. Johnson isn’t an exciting player to watch by any means, but he definitely has the tools to be successful in the NFL if given the opportunity.

Jalyn Holmes, DT

Speaking of 4th-round defensive tackles, Jalyn Holmes is a rookie to watch along the defensive line. Holmes joins Johnson as former Big Ten defensive lineman taken by the Vikings in the fourth round of the NFL draft. What a club, right? Holmes has incredible length and quickness for an interior defensive lineman. After all, Holmes played the majority of his college snaps at defensive end. After the draft, the Vikings announced they want Holmes to slide inside given the depth the team already has on the edge. Unfortunately, a broken hand sidelined Holmes during organized team activities. Holmes was a step behind other rookies heading into camp, but he is 100 percent now that training camp has opened up. His game reps in the preseason will show just how much he has grown as an interior lineman. He has the chance to crack the rotation and give the rest of the defensive line a much-needed breather. His prior experience at defensive end will also be valuable as it gives the team flexibility in their young pass rusher.

The Vikings need to spell their defensive line more and use more of a rotation to keep them from wearing down late in the season.

 

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Luke Parrish

Luke Parrish

I am a student at Wabash College in Indiana, and I have written for several blogs/websites covering the NFL, the Vikings, and the Pacers.

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