It’s getting to be that time of year when seven-second clips of Minnesota Vikings players working out during OTAs raise people’s hopes and expectations to another level.
I am one of those people.
This is the time to get ahead and take our team to another level.#Skol pic.twitter.com/xt8vugvAsv
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 2, 2025
In particular, Minnesota’s defensive front four provides ample daydreaming scenarios, allowing you to lose focus thinking about them wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
The Vikings have had an excellent offseason, prioritizing the development of interior pressure to lighten the load on Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Perhaps the newfound depth and ability in guys like Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen, and rookie Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins can provide Minnesota with something invaluable.
Game-breaking results through multiple rotations in the front four.
When you factor in the late-season boost from second-year defensive lineman Jalen Redmond, Minnesota’s defensive line room is now crowded in the best way possible. The possibilities in terms of packages are endless.
They can stick to how they’ve stopped the run in the past by playing 0-technique with Harrison Phillips directly over the center, with Hargrave, Greenard, and Van Ginkel accompanying him in the 4-3 look. In the 3-technique, you could see Jonathan Allen make his money through a little more quickness off the opposing guards’ shoulders, leading to potential third-down drive-killers in passing situations.
Jonathan Allen working the push/pull. Finishes with a swim & gets the sack. Hand placement is key! #passrush #WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/fnzoOvljLn
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) September 17, 2021
There’s room for plenty of viable 5-technique options with what the Vikings like to do with Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman blitzing the gaps. We saw hints that Dallas Turner may be poised to drop back off the line a little bit into a proper OLB role. I’d expect Minnesota to use him in scenarios where guys like Hargrave and Allen occupy tackles and tight ends, allowing Turner to be a rogue rusher.
First thing that jumps off Javon Hargrave's tape: X-Ray vision.
SF used a LOT of distraction to set up this screen. An orbit, PA sell, and pulled Juszczyk.
Hargrave keeps his head up, doesn't fall for the woman in the red dress, and penetrates. Me likey. pic.twitter.com/G5jIPopxfM
— Liam Jenkins (@LiamJenkinsPSN) March 24, 2020
This flood up the middle will provide the much-needed interior pressure the Vikings have lacked for some time now. It will also create a net positive for Greenard and Van Ginkel’s opportunities to get to the quarterback.
The chase down is significantly minimized for them when the quarterback is flushed out due to pressure, rather than scrambling on his own accord. It’s a trap waiting to happen. Greenard and Van Ginkel have historically sealed the edges off for mobile quarterbacks and will be waiting with open arms.
Brian Flores with a 5 man rush on 3rd and 12 with Andrew Van Ginkle (#43) looping from head up on the left tackle to the gap between the right guard and right tackle to force purdy to his left and Patrick Jones (#91) bull rushes Trent Williams to clean up after Van Ginkle pic.twitter.com/IAX66ZqHqT
— Patrick Sypher (@nohuddlenfl_) September 17, 2024
The Vikings have plenty of speed on their defensive line, and rookie Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins could be the sleeper pick to see live reps sooner than people think. Ingram-Dawkins made his name known at Georgia for the burst he could generate off the line for a 6’5”, 280 lb. defensive tackle.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins doesn’t quite crack my top 10 IDL, however it’s easy to see where this hype is coming from.
ELITE explosiveness and agility for a DL who can defend the run lined up and down an NFL defensive front. https://t.co/gU7tuaM1vL pic.twitter.com/snUhyqKIih
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 11, 2025
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has a lot to experiment with regarding the rotations that will look like with four- or five-man fronts. If this unit can produce as it should, there’s no telling how dominant this big and fast group can be.
While the secondary is slowly but surely looking more respectable, the D-line is Minnesota’s defensive engine. Pressure is king in today’s NFL. You can even get away with subpar secondary play if the front four gets home early and often enough. This model is effective for teams like the Vikings, which have overachieving linebacker play that they can pair with the players in front of them.
As training camp approaches and Minnesota makes final roster decisions by the end of the summer, it’ll be interesting to see what the final depth chart looks like for the defensive line. Whatever the case, the Vikings are in an excellent position to pressure quarterbacks next season.