It was no secret that the Minnesota Vikings defense in 2022 led by Ed Donatell was atrocious, being bottom three in the league in both points and yards per game. The hiring of defensive guru Brian Flores was a huge move at the time, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted the shift in the Vikings defense so far from 2022 to 2023. In the offseason the Vikings had major personnel changes on defense losing key pieces like Dalvin Tomlinson, Patrick Peterson, Eric Kendricks, and Za’Darius Smith. Some argued before the season that the Vikings had one of the worst defensive rosters in the NFL, and that Flores would have to be a miracle worker to make this defense average, but so far in 2023 through seven games the Vikings defense has managed to be a completely different unit, you can just see a clear difference watching them play, from last year to now. Flores’ scheme and coaching is getting a lot of recognition, which is very well-deserved, but a lot of players have stepped up who you might have written off back in August.
Camryn Bynum
-This one is pretty obvious, in 2022 when the Vikings drafted Lewis Cine in the first round, it looked like Bynum’s short time as the starting Free-Safety for the Vikings was dwindling, but after a strong camp and preseason in 2022 along with Cine’s unfortunate season-ending injury in Week 4, Bynum earned himself another year where he showed flashes and had an up-and-down 2022. In 2023 camp Bynum earned the starting spot and isn’t giving it up. The third-year safety has been sensational this season, whether it’s in coverage or his tackling Bynum is always there and has been a turnover machine this year, with two interceptions and forced fumble against the 49ers just yesterday. The Vikings found themselves a gem in Camryn Bynum.
Jonathan Bullard
-This one is pretty surprising to me, Jonathan Bullard has been a journeyman in his career, and was a bandaid rotational piece last season, and we thought the same for this season, but Bullard has proved us all wrong. No, Bullard is not going to light up the stat sheet or make any flashy plays but he’s been great at his job, which is stuffing the run, and when I say he’s been good, that’s an understatement. A 30 year old journeyman Defensive Tackle having a breakout wasn’t on my Vikings bingo card for this season, but we’re all glad to see Bullard, a guy who gives it 150% on every play, start to see results and play well.
Jordan Hicks
-Jordan Hicks has had an incredible start to his 2023 season, in his second season with the Vikings he’s earned a spot as a captain and is the leader of this young defense. At 31 years old, Hicks is playing maybe the best football of his career and even racked up the Defensive Player of the Week award last week. Hicks is another guy who plays hard and gives it his all on every snap, his high motor pairs really well with his tackling and run defense, Hicks has even been good in coverage as well. After many Vikings fans wanted him cut instead of Kendricks in the offseason, it’s safe to say Kwesi made the right decision.
Ivan Pace Jr.
-Just six months ago, Ivan Pace Jr. didn’t hear his name called on draft night, now he’s PFF highest graded rookie LB through 7 weeks. It’s very rare for an undrafted player to be a Day 1 starter for a team but Flores saw enough from Pace Jr. in preseason and camp for him to beat out 2022 Day 2 pick Brian Asamoah. In 2023 Pace Jr. has been excellent on the blitz, and very stout in run defense and coverage, and is another young star on this Vikings defense that is still developing and hasn’t reached his peak.
Josh Metellus
-Josh Metellus is a great story, a late round pick who went from special teamer only to being a prevalent part of the Vikings defense and is playing over 2022 1st Round Pick Lewis Cine. Metellus is a very physical safety who again plays with a high motor and has definitely earned his playing team getting better and better.
Brian Flores is a coach known for getting the best out of fans and the league don’t view as the most talented guys, and his scheme and coaching has seen a lot of Vikings defenders flourish. Hopefully I can update this list at the end of the year and see guys who have the “bust” label floating around them like Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr. develop into their draft hype, and see more development from Akayleb Evans. Guys like Danielle Hunter and Harrison Smith aren’t on here, we know they’re great and they’ve been great for a long time, this list is more of guys who are breaking out in the new physical and aggressive Minnesota Vikings defense.
