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Last year’s headlines after the draft were reserved for first-rounders Dallas Turner and J.J. McCarthy. Neither had much of an impact in year one, but it’s important to note that they were investments for the future, not year one anyway.
Last Year’s Vikings Draft Pick Is Under Pressure This Summer
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Later in the draft — in the final two rounds, to be exact — the club added a pair of backup offensive linemen, Walter Rouse and Michael Jurgens, as well as kicker Will Reichard. Perhaps the most popular player among those late-rounders was defender Levi Drake Rodriguez.
Hungry for a playmaking defensive tackle, Skol Nation hoped he could be the solution to the problem. Rodriguez came out of Texas A&M Commerce, so growing pains were expected, and patience was required.
A year later, however, one can wonder whether he will still be around in September. The Vikings acquired multiple guys who can threaten his spot on the 53-man roster.
Rodriguez’s Rookie Season
Again, struggles were expected. However, it wasn’t that hard to claim a role on Minnesota’s defensive line that only had one guy of note: Harrison Phillips. Veterans Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery have always been rotational players.
Aug 17, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back D’Onta Foreman (27) runs the ball, pursued by Levi Drake Rodriguez (90) as Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Taki Taimani (94) tackles him during the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
The problem? Rodriguez didn’t just concede snaps to those three experienced linemen, but also to undrafted rookie Taki Taimani and UFL signee Jalen Redmond. Jihad Ward, an edge rusher on paper, was used as the top interior pass rusher.
That resulted in Rodriguez playing in only two games, despite Taimani missing half the season with an injury and the unit clearly lacking some juice. He logged a whopping six defensive snaps and 11 on special teams.
The Renovated DL Room
Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
It lacked pizzazz, for sure, but the Vikings recognized the problem and had the funds to address it. On day two of free agency, the reports surfaced about Jonathan Allen agreeing to terms with the purple franchise. A two-time Pro Bowler with 42 career sacks in the middle of the defense would surely be an upgrade.
Shortly thereafter, when folks were still celebrating the first real pass-rushing threat on the interior in years, the bombshell dropped. Javon Hargrave, who has 45.5 career sacks and two Pro Bowls as well, would join Allen on what could be the best interior defensive line since the Williams Wall.
Aug 24, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (61) recovers a fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports
Phillips, Redmond, and Taimani remain from last year. The last two showed some promise. Taimani is a decent backup nose tackle with the ability to suffocate the run. Redmond became a sneaky playmaker and climbed the depth chart once Taimani got hurt. He even snatched Tillery’s starting gig.
In the most recent draft, the organization added Georgia’s defender Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, who is a tweener between edge and interior. He could step into Ward’s footsteps and be an interior rushing specialist early in his career.
Also rostered are Travis Bell and Jonathan Harris, who were both part of last year’s practice squad at the end of the season. Following the draft, the Vikes signed undrafted players Alexander Williams and Elijah Williams.
Suddenly, that’s a crowded room. There’s a pair of star newcomers, three guys who were ahead of Rodriguez last season, and a rookie.
Bottom Line
Rodriguez needs a strong summer. In training camp and the preseason (he was fantastic in last year’s exhibition), he has to unseat either Taimani or Redmond and avoid the emergence of one of the other guys.
There’s a realistic chance he won’t be on the 53-man roster for the upcoming season.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
