The Big Hitter's Scouting Report: Vikings Defense and STs

[bighitterdalama]

Hi all. Here is the Vikings defense, with just a touch on their specials. Sorry for the late release. I hope to have these out sooner in the upcoming weeks.

Vikings Defense

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a first-class defensive mind. Flores comes from the Bill Belichick coaching tree, having served in New England as a defensive assistant 2004-2018. In 2019, Flores was hired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Flores served as Dolphins head coach for the next three seasons, earning an overall record of 24-25. Following the 2021 season, Flores was let go by Miami under murky circumstances, the outcome of which is still being decided in the court system. He spent 2022 in Pittsburgh as a defensive assistant under Mike Tomlin. In 2023, he was hired by the Vikings as defensive coordinator.

The 2023 Viking defense was middle of the pack, finishing 16th in yards allowed (333.2 Y/G) and tied for 13th in points (21.2 PPG). They Vikings were quite stout against the run, finishing #8 in rush yardage allowed (98.7 Y/G) and 4th in yards/carry (3.8). They were less efficient against the pass, finishing #24 in pass yards/game at 234.5. The Vikings allowed the most completions in the NFL (426) with the worst completion percentage against (70.3%). They were tied for #19 in sacks (43) and 16th in sack yardage (302). The Vikings tied for 19th with 22 total defensive takeaways (11/11). They were tied at 26th in third down efficiency (41.4%) and dead last in 4th down efficiency (72.0%). The Vikings had the second most defensive penalties (31) for the 4th most penalty yardage (916).

A multiple look guy, Flores utilizes two basic fronts from which he variates. On run downs, Flores uses a 3/4 front that aligns as 5/2. A nose tackle lines up over the center in a zero tech and two defensive ends directly over the tackles in a four tech. Two edge/DEs align up on the line in 5 or 7 tech, responsible for the outside D gaps. Two inside linebackers cover the inside A gaps. The concept is for the three D linemen to keep the inside linebackers "clean" by tying up the offensive linemen, allowing the ILBs to roam free and into the run gaps. On pass downs, Flores uses a variant of a 4/2/5 front. Two defensive linemen align as three techs in the guard/tackle B gap; two edge rushers align outside the tackles as 5/7 techs. One ILB is replaced by a sixth defensive back, leaving one inside linebacker to cover the middle of the field. Flores prefers a third safety over an extra corner; what is given up in coverage ability is gained in run stop and blitz packages. In fact, the 2023 Vikings averaged 3.07 safeties per play as opposed to 2.14 corners. As such, the pre-snap alignment might begin as a Cover 3 look, but shift into a Cover 1 or Cover 2, with one safety assuming slot corner coverage and a second either dropping deep or blitzing off the edge. Flores much prefers m-2-m coverage over zone as this opens up multiple blitz packages. Flores is as blitz happy a DC as exists, sending an extra man 40+ percent of the snaps. His favorites are the A gap blitz by either an inside linebacker or safety and an off-tackle blitz by a safety coming clean off the edge. In 2023, safety Josh Metellus blitzed 116 times, safety Harrison Smith 99 times, and ILB Ivan Pace 109 times.

The keys to beating the Brian Flores Defense

1)   North/South Power Run Game. The Vikings play seven men tight to the line, with inside backers between the tackles. Running east/west plays into the strength of the defensive front. The Vikings defensive line is a bit undersized (see below) making them vulnerable to single and double power blocking schemes.
2)   Read the A gap and off tackle safety blitzes. Blitz pickup is crucial against a team that may send an extra upwards of 50% of the plays. Proper blitz pickup will create openings in the defense's coverage schemes.
3)   Seam passes to the tight ends. The Vikings scheme likely allows no help in covering the tight ends on seam passes. Both Viking inside linebackers, Ivan Pace and Blake Cashman, are undersized; Pace is only 5'10". Efficient execution of the TE seam pass should create mismatches in coverage.
4)   Giants wideouts win the one-on-one battles against the defensive backs. The Vikings DBs will likely often have little help in their coverages. If the Giants wideouts can win the one-on-ones, the Giants pass attack should work well. 

This off-season, the Vikings made several changes to their defensive personnel. Let's take a look at the 2024 personnel, unit by unit.

Defensive Line

The Vikings' defensive line is anchored in the middle by 28-year-old nose tackle Harrison Phillips, a 2018 3rd round pick from Stanford. At 6'3"/307, Phillips is a bit undersized for a nose tackle, a deficiency for which he makes up with a quickness off the ball. In 2018, Phillips recorded 92 tackles (44 solo/48 assists), 2 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 6 QB hits, and two blocked passes. Phillips earned PFF grades of 65.6(run)/53.6(pass rush)/59.7(overall), ranking #65 of 130 qualifying defensive linemen. Starting next at left defensive end is the newly-acquired Jerry Tillery. A 2019 first-round pick from Notre Dame, Tillery, 6'6"/295, comes over from the Raiders on a one-year, $2.75 million deal. His 2023 stats for the Raiders were 31 tackles (11/20), 2 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 6 QB hits, and one forced fumble. He earned PFF grades of 63.1/67.5/67.7, ranking #40 among D linemen. Opposite Tillery will be 30-Year-old right DE Jonathan Bullard, 6'3"/290, a 2016 third-round pick from Florida. A returnee from 2023, Bullard recorded 44 tackles (24/20), 3 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 2 QB hits, and one forced fumble. His PFF scores of 53.7/46.9/46.3 ranked him #115 of 130.

At present, the Vikings lack any NFL experience among the backup D linemen. Nose tackle Taki Taiman (6'3"/330) is a rookie UDFA from Oregon. DE Levi Drake Rodrieguez (6'2/300) is a 2024 seventh round rookie from Texas A & M. DE Jalen Redmond (6'2"/290) is a 2023 UDFA with no NFL experience.

Edge/OLB

The Vikings shook up their edge rusher unit this off-season. Gone are starters D.J. Wonnum, who is now on the Panthers, and four-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter, who signed a two-year, $49 million contract with Houston. In their place are newcomers Jonathan Greenard, who comes over from the Texans, and Andrew van Ginkel, who played for Brian Flores in Miami. Greenard, who signed a big-time four-year deal for $76 million, was originally a 2020 third-round pick from Florida. He comes off of an outstanding 2023 season: 52 tackles (36/16), 15 TFL, 12.5 sacks, 22 QB hits, and 2 passes defended. He earned PFF grades of 69.7/72.9/76.7, ranking #0 of 112 qualified edge rushers. Van Ginkel also had a fine 2023 season. The 2019 fifth-round pick from Wisconsin had 69 tackles (42/27), 8 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 19 QB hits, 8 passes defended, and one interception. He received PFF grades of 76.3/90.6/91.1, he ranked #7 of 112.

The likely #1 backup will be rookie Dallas Turner, a 2024 first-round pick (#17 overall) from Alabama. The Vikings have big hopes for Turner, but.for the moment, he remains a clean sheet. Hopefully such remains this Sunday. Also backing up is 2021 third-round pick Pat Jones II. In 2023, Jones, who played 56% of the defensive snaps, recorded 32 tackles (22/10), 5 TFL, 1.0 sacks, and 8 QB hits. Jones earned grades PFF grades of 39.8/45.6/37.5, finishing a Blutarski-like worst at #112 of 112 qualifying edge rushers. Not far behind him is the Vikings final edge rusher, former Giant Jihad Ward. Last season, Ward, who took 59% of the Giants' defensive snaps, earned PFF grades of 40.4/53.9/42.4, finishing at #109 of 112.

Inside Linebackers

The Vikings inside linebackers tend to be quick and undersized, designed for quickness over power. Ivan Pace, a 2023 UDFA from Cincinnati, returns as one starter. Pace had a fine rookie season, recording 102 tackles (63/39), 2 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 9 QB hits, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Pace earned PFF grades of 61.2(run)/77.7(coverage)/78.0(pass rush)/77.1(overall), ranking #16 among 82 qualifying ILBs. At 5'10"/231, Pace is a bit undersized. Starting alongside Pace will be Blake Cashman, newly acquired from the Houston Texans. Cashman, also diminutive at 6'1"/237, was a 2017 fifth-round pick from Minnesota. Cashman had a terrific 2023 season in Houston, recording 106 tackles (56/50), 9 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 5 QB hits, 5 passes defended, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery. He earned PFF grades of 82.3/75.3/71.5/82.1, rating #8 of 82.

The backup ILBs are Kamu Grugier-Hill and Brian Asamoah. Grugier-Hill, 6'2"/220, played for Carolina in 2023. A 2016 sixth-round pick from E. Illinois, he took 403 defensive snaps, recording 56 tackles (31/25), 2 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 QB hit, 2 PDs, and 1 interception. He earned poor PFF scores of 40.0/59.7/70.2/48.6, ranking #78 of 82. Asamoah, 6'0"/220, was a Vikings third-round pick in 2022 (Oklahoma). He has, to date, been a disappointment, having never challenged for a starting role. In 2023, he took just 36 defensive snaps, recording 7 tackles.

Cornerbacks

The Vikings made a semi-big splash this off-season by signing five-time Pro Bowl corner Stephon Gilmore to a one-year/$7 million contract. The 34-year-old Gilmore, now a journeyman on his fifth team in five years, most recently played in Dallas. He did have a productive 2023 with the 'Pokes, recording 13 passes defended and 2 picks, with 68 tackles ((53/14) and one forced fumble. Gilmore earned PFF grades of 69.3(cover)/72.9(run)/71.2(overall), finishing #35 of 127 qualifying corners.

Opposite Gilmore is returning starter Byron Murphy, a 2019 second-round pick from Washington. Stat-wise, Murphy had a solid 2023, recording 57 tackles (43/14), 4 TFL, 13 passes defended, 3 interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. That said, Murphy struggled in coverage, earning a PFF coverage grade of just 58.2. His overall grade of 58.0 ranked him at #87 of 127. The Vikings do have two backup options if Murphy stumbles. Akayleb Evans was a 2023 starter, a role which he has since lost to Gilmore. In 2023, Akeyleb took 855 snaps at corner, recording 65 tackles (49/16), 7 passes defended, one pick, and 3 forced fumbles. He earned poor PFF scores 52.6 for coverage and 60.2 in run support. His overall score of 54.9 ranked him #99 out of 127. As a backup insurance, the Vikings signed a pair of veterans. 30-year-old Fabian Moreau comes from Denver after signing a one-year vet minimum contract. In 2023, Moreau took 740 defensive snaps, recording 46 tackles (33/13), 7 passes defended, 1 interception, and 1 TFL. He earned PFF grades of 62.9 (coverage)/55.5 (run support)/62.4 Overall), ranking #73 of 127. 29-year-old Shaquil Griffin split 2023 between Carolina and Houston. In 459 combined defensive snaps, he recorded 39 tackles (29/10), 5 passes defended, and one interception. He received an overall PFF score of 67.0, ranking #53 of 127.

Safeties

Brian Flores prefers a three-safety set on defense. This includes a strong safety who plays up tight to the line in a linebacker-type role, a deep safety most often used in a Cover 1 set, and a slot cover safety. Both the strong safety and slot safety blitz, and blitz often, both through the A gap and off the edge. Returning at strong safety is the venerable 35-year-old Harrison Smith. A 2012 first-round pick from Notre Dame, the 6'2"/211 Smith is indeed linebacker-like. A six-time Pro Bowler and one-time All Pro, the 2023 always ironman-like Smith took 1113 (98%) of the defensive snaps. He recorded 93 tackles (60/33), 2 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 6 QB hits, 3 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles. Smith earned PFF grades of 69.5 (cover)/66.2 (run support)/58.6 (pass rush)/68.9 (overall), ranking #33 of 95.

Cam Bynum returns as the starting free safety.  A 2021 fourth-round pick from Cal, Bynum, who took 1122 (99%) of the defensive snaps, had a terrific 2023. He recorded 137 total tackles (94/43), had 9 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 2 TFL, 0.5 sacks, and 1 QB hit. He scored PFF grades of 69.7/79.1/56.1/73.2, ranking #21 of 95. Returning at slot safety is Josh Metellus, a 2020 sixth round pick from Michigan. Powerful at 5'11"/207, Metellus took 1065 (94%) defensive snaps in 2023. Metellus recorded 166 tackles (78/38), 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, 5 passes defended, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. He earned PFF grades of 64.5/67.8/75.8/69.2, ranking #33 of 95.

Backing up at safety are Theo Jackson and Jay Ward. In 2023, both players primarily contributed on special teams. Jackson, a 2022 sixth-round pick from Tennessee, did take 126 defensive snaps. He recorded 21 overall tackles (14/7) and had 1 pass defended, 1 interception, and 1 QB hit. He received an overall PFF grade of 67.8. Ward, a 2023 fourth-round pick from LSU, took just 35 defensive snaps. He recorded 8 overall tackles and one fumble recovery, receiving an overall PFF score of 67.8.

Special Teams

Ryan Wright returns as the Vikings punter. In 2023, he ranked 12th in the NFL in gross yardage (48.7) and 16th in net yardage (41.9). He had 16 punts inside the 20, 16 fair catches, 7 touchbacks, and allowed 9.6 yards/return. The place kicker is rookie Will Reichard, a sixth-round pick from Alabama. Reichard comes to the Vikings as the all-time NCAA Division I FBS scoring leader.

Return duties are scheduled to be split between backup wide receiver Brandon Powell, RB Ty Chandler, and WR Jailen Nailor. In 2023, Powell returned 37 punts for an average of 7.8; Chandler returned 4 kickoffs for an average of 24.3, and Nailor did not have a return. The Vikings did not have a return for a touchdown in 2023.

[MightyGiants]

Banks talked about two aspects of the defense.  One is they frequently put 8 men on the line.  They won't just sugar, they will actually engage at the snap before dropping off.  Which makes it hard to know who is actually coming.  The other is when they drop 8 into zone coverage making it hard for the QB to find open receivers.