The Minnesota Vikings made a savvy move during the NFL Draft, trading talented edge rusher Dallas Greenard to acquire the 98th overall pick, which they used to select safety Jakobe Thomas. The salary cap savings from that deal were then redirected to sign wide receiver Jauan Jennings—a smart piece of roster management for a team that was backed against the cap.
However, that trade leaves a notable gap on the edge rushing front. While Dallas Turner is ready to step into Greenard's role in Brian Flores' defense, he's not a natural fit for the Andrew Van Ginkel position. Last season, the Vikings relied on a deep rotation of pass rushers to pressure quarterbacks and mask some cornerback depth issues. This year, the secondary looks stronger, but adding another body to the defensive line rotation would be a wise move.
Consider this: Van Ginkel missed five games last season with a neck injury, and at 31 years old, durability is a concern. Turner looks poised for a breakout, but he's never been fully unleashed as a full-time starter. Bringing in a veteran edge rusher to rotate through the group would provide invaluable depth and insurance.
The free-agent market still has some intriguing options. Joey Bosa remains a big name, though his production has dipped and his asking price may have dropped. Yetur Gross-Matos is a few years younger but could command a premium. There are also plenty of lower-profile veterans who could provide solid rotational snaps.
As it stands, the depth chart behind the starters features Tyler Batty and Bo Richter. Both have flashed in preseason action, but relying on either for consistent starting production is a stretch. The more internal depth the Vikings can build, the better their contingency plans will be.
With Turner ready to take the reins, he could become the next in a long line of celebrated Vikings pass rushers. And we've already seen the impact Van Ginkel can make when healthy. Adding one more veteran to the mix could be the final piece that keeps this pass rush formidable all season long.