Story by
MN Vikings Front Seven Ranked… No. 1 in NFL?
- Story by
- MN Vikings Front Seven Ranked… No. 1 in NFL?
Peter Casey-Imagn Images Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Last season the Minnesota Vikings transitioned the edge rush to a pair of new faces in the form of Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard . That decision worked out and both have since earned contract extensions .
The linebacker tandem of Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. worked out well also. Pace Jr. has become a fan favorite and one of the better talents in the NFL despite going undrafted. Cashman came home and put together one of the healthiest seasons of his career with a new career-best 4.5 sacks.
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
If there was an omission, and it was obvious, it was that the Vikings had little push on the interior offensive line. It was so obvious that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah attacked the hole in free agency and now gets to reap the benefits.
Advertisement
Related Headlines
Defensive additions cement Minnesota Vikings front seven
The MN Vikings weren't fooling around with Jonathan Bullard and Jerry Tillery for 2025. Additions of standout interior defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen represent some serious upgrades. Those upgrades are so impactful that Warren Sharp of Sharp Football, ranks Minnesota's front seven as the best in the game.
"The biggest mover across our entire rankings was the Minnesota front seven, which jumped 24 spots to No. 1 this year. The Vikings added both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to a defensive front that finished sixth in pressure rate and fourth in sacks last season. "
It's certainly a shock to see the Minnesota Vikings front seven ranked as the best in the sport. If anything though, it's a reflection of just how close they were without an interior pass rush. The edge rushers and linebackers were already in place. Harrison Phillips is a legitimate piece and has been a constant. The additions of Hargrave and Allen should do the trick.
Advertisement
Of course for both Allen and Hargrave there is reason to exercise caution . They weren't brought back by their former employers for a reason and both will need cleaner bills of health with the MN Vikings.
After eight relatively healthy NFL seasons, Hargrave played just three games for San Francisco last year. He tore his right triceps and finished with just one sack and seven tackles. He's now 32 years old and will have to remain on the field for the Vikings.
Related: Bears Nearly Drafted JJ McCarthy Over Caleb Williams with No. 1 Pick
Allen spent the first eight years of his career with Washington. Now he's 30 years old and coming off an eight game season in which he tore his pectoral muscle. He finished with just three sacks and 19 total tackles.
Advertisement
If the new tandem can stay healthy though, then the Vikings should be rewarded for making their bets.
Is the MN Vikings front seven for real?
Of course Warren Sharp thinks the collection that Brian Flores will deploy is legit. That's probably enough reason to believe right there.
Beyond just the new additions though, Minnesota has depth to both push and back them. Dallas Turner finished with three sacks in his rookie season and has room to grow. There could be more from talents like Bo Richter and Gabriel Murphy as well.
Dallas Turner #Skol big year 2 otw pic.twitter.com/kqLt3NOAVc
— PassRushDiary🦅 (@PassRushDiary) July 15, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings used a fifth round pick this year on interior lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins , and linebacker Kobe King comes in as a sixth round pick. They also went out and got a deal done with veteran free agent linebacker Eric Wilson , and he already has familiarity here.
Advertisement
In short, the Vikings are in a position to make noise in the NFC North. If new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy can shoulder the load offensively, this is a defense prepared to win football games.
Related Headlines
