Having started the offseason state of the union for the Minnesota Vikings with the defensive line last week, it’s time to look at the Vikings linebacker group. For the purposes of this piece, we will be focused only on guys likely to line up as off-ball linebackers. That can get particularly tricky with the way Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores deploys three safeties, often in traditional linebacker spots. In this series, the safeties will get rolled up with the secondary for at least another year. Granted, that could change in future years as teams like the Vikings continue moving away from traditional fronts and more towards versatility and positionless defense.
When looking at the depth chart, the first thing that becomes apparent is how top-heavy the linebacking corps is. The Vikings have two potential Pro Bowlers in Ivan Pace and Blake Cashman at the top and that’s about it. Minnesota will be relying on unproductive former third-rounder Brian Asamoah and veteran cast-off Kamu Grugier-Hill if either guy misses time. Let’s assess what else the Vikings could do at the position and whether the production the Vikings could get out of their starters is enough to offset the apparent lack of depth.
Ivan Pace Could Become Next Great Vikings Linebacker
Normally stories about undrafted players making big splashes at training camp turn out to simply be camp hype stories. When Week 1 arrives it’s rare to see those guys translate practice accomplishments into game action. It just so happened to turn out for the Vikings that the buzz around undrafted linebacker Ivan Pace was warranted. When looking at his college resume, it maybe shouldn’t have been such a surprise.
Pace was a hyper-productive player and leader for the Cincinnati Bearcats, finishing his Senior season as a consensus All-American. Typically for most undrafted All-Americans, size is the limiting factor, and that was the case for the 5’10’’ Pace. He quickly showed that teams were wrong to overlook him based on his measurables. Pace was heavily involved from the opening 2023 kickoff for the Vikings, displaying the instincts and blitzing skills that made him an elite player in college. By midseason, he was a mainstay in the Vikings starting lineup and even took over as the defensive player caller when veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks missed substantial time.
There will be big expectations for Pace in 2024, following a season where the Vikings linebacker made multiple All-Rookie teams. For starters, the assumption should be that he’s going to be the defensive play caller from game 1. Even with the recent additions in free agency that seems like an easy decision. Beyond expanding his leadership role in Brian Flores’ defense, Pace should be able to bring his production up to a Pro Bowl level. He’s an easy bet to again finish north of 100 tackles, but he’s got real room to grow in sack totals and in turnovers created. If he can make jumps in those areas the ceiling on the Vikings’ defense and Pace’s career trajectory rises immensely.
Versatile Acquisitions will Play Key Complementary Role
One early point of interest in camp will be recently acquired Blake Cashman’s fit next to Pace. Cashman quietly took a huge step forward under DeMeco Ryans in Houston last season. He went from no prior production to finishing as a top-5 off-ball linebacker per PFF in 2023. That’s quite the leap for a former afterthought fifth-round pick under a coach who clearly knows the linebacker position.
For Minnesota, the growth Cashman showed in coverage a season ago is going to be his most important contribution to the Vikings linebackers. Cashman will be left on an island in coverage often for a Vikings team that blitzes profusely from multiple fronts. Very few linebackers in today’s game have the ability to be consistently successful under those circumstances. Cashman showed last season under a similarly creative defensive coach that he can be up to that task. Most importantly Cashman’s prowess in coverage should allow Pace’s versatile skillset to shine and help open things up for the second-year star. That will be crucial for Pace to make the aforementioned jump in production.
Going back to Minnesota’s lack of clear linebacker depth, another offseason acquisition in Andrew Van Ginkel could be the solution. Van Ginkel played all over Miami’s defense the past few seasons. While he’s sure to log snaps off the edge, Van Ginkel has proven capable in coverage off the ball. If something were to happen to either Cashman or Pace, Van Ginkel should be able to join a linebacker rotation. Assuming both free agent signings can continue their production from a season ago, linebacker should be a real position of strength for the Vikings’ defense.
2024 Linebacker Outlook: B+
Main Image: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
