Minnesota Vikings 21.3 PPG Tied 13th, Sacks 43 19th

The 2023 Minnesota Vikings had lofty expectations that came crashing to the ground with injuries to quarterback Kirk Cousins. Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores was able to improve young talent, which was at the core of the defense.

The Vikings allowed 21.3 points per game, and earned 43 sacks last season. Their pass rush is completely different this season, but the young IDPs in the middle of their defense stood their ground and will be returning. 

2024 Prediction: 20th

The Vikings have a great defensive coordinator that should keep things in tact, Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel will be asked to deliver pressure early and often. Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. are a great interior tandem which should boost the Vikings run defense.

Their strength lies in their secondary though. They drafted three of their starting four members, including 2012 first round pick Harrison Smith. The Future Hall of Fame member has mentored Camryn Bynum into an elite safety. Those two will be needed to keep this team from giving up big plays, and their redzone defense must be at its best.

There are a few IDPs worth a grab, including Harrison Smith who doesn’t make the cut.

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

DB – Camryn Bynum
LB – Ivan Pace Jr.
DL – Jonathan Greenard

Camryn Bynum’s career was rejuvenated by Brian Flores, and he will continue to use Bynum as a roving specialist. He recorded 137 tackles (94 of which were solo tackles), 9 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. If he can replicate any of those numbers he is going to have another elite season.

Bynum’s role should increase with snaps, unless Sam Darnold can resurrect his NFL career to help the defense. A 150 tackle season is not out of reach for Bynum, as well as bigger plays including sacks. Bynum is difficult to predict in IDP leagues. He has potential to be the 2nd best safety in the league, and that is always worth a higher draft pick than most imagine. 

In leagues in which the safeties or defensive backs get extra points, grab Bynum like a good linebacker. In standard leagues let a few defensive backs be drafted before you put him on your team… but he is worth rostering.

Ivan Pace Jr. is a name only IDP degenerates will know, but he will be rostered in several leagues by week eight. The 23 year old Ohio kid found himself front and center for the Vikings defense. Although he made a few rookie mistakes he still ended the season with 102 combined tackles, and 2.5 sacks. He also stuffed the stat sheet with turnovers, one interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery. Outstanding for a rookie.

He is no longer a rookie, and a big jump is expected for Brian Flores pupil, he will be commanding the defense with several new faces around him. Expect his tackle volume to go up this season, and for Pace to see several defensive snaps. Grab him later in standard leagues, and a round early in leagues with tacking incentives. 

Jonathan Greenard is a new face, who switched places with Danielle Hunter. He will need to fill a major void in sacks and they are asking him to deliver with 10+ sacks in addition to helping with the running game.

He earned 12.5 sacks along with 52 tackles last year for the Texans, and will have every opportunity to improve on those numbers in 2024. If the Vikings can play games with a positive game script, it should help his odds. He may not have as many opportunities for that to happen but is still a force against opposing tackles.

Draft him later in standard leagues, and give his rankings a slight bump in leagues which rewards sacks with more points.

Tomorrow the Cleveland Browns.

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

All statistics come from pro-football-reference and Sleeperbot.