Minnesota Vikings: 5 burning questions for 2018
3. Can Danielle Hunter live up to his new contract?
Defensive end Danielle Hunter has only been in the NFL for three years, and the Vikings love what they have seen from the former LSU Tiger
The Vikings rewarded Hunter with a five-year, $72 million contract extension with $40 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Hunter has amassed 147 total tackles, 36 tackles for a loss, 25.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries since being drafted by Minnesota in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Last season, Pro Football Focus gave Hunter an 82.6 grade, which ranked him 29th among edge rushers.
While at LSU, Hunter did not get to the quarterback as much as he has at the next level. In three years at Baton Rouge, he only recorded 4.5 sacks. Meanwhile, his lowest total in three seasons in the NFL is six sacks.
Hunter is a key piece of the Vikings perennial defense. Not to mention he’s only 23 years old, already dominating and the Vikings only expect him to get better.
With his new contract, he is now the third highest paid defensive end in the league, only behind Olivier Vernon and J.J. Watt.
Watt certainly has proven his worth, but someone like Vernon, who is scheduled to make nearly $13 million this season, is coming off a year in which he only played in 12 games, recorded 37 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
It’s tough to say any player “lives up to their contract,” because of how big they are. But, when they are getting paid that much they are expected to elevate their game. There will be a ton of pressure on Hunter to perform, if he doesn’t he certainly will hear it from the Purple People Eaters.