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5 bold predictions for Minnesota Vikings in 2021

By Rucker Haringey

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 20: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass during the second half against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 20: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass during the second half against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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Vikings predictions, Danielle Hunter
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Danielle Hunter #99 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a fumble recovery during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. Danielle Hunter won’t notch double-digit sacks

The Vikings coaching staff hopes that Hunter’s return to full health can help strengthen what was a truly anemic pass rush in 2020. Yannick Ngakoue led the club with five sacks in the six games he played for the franchise. No other member of the roster got to the opposing quarterback more than 3.5 times.

Hunter didn’t miss a single game for Minnesota over four consecutive seasons before missing all of 2020 with a back injury. The talented edge rusher posted 14.5 sacks for Minnesota during both his 2018 and 2019 seasons. The hope is that he can come back and replicate that feat in 2021.

The odds are stacked against him reaching those heights again. There’s no assurance that his back injury hasn’t cost him some of the bend and quickness he used to be such an effective edge rusher. Chances are, Hunter is going to take a lot of time to really get his body back in the shape that it was before the injury.

The time he needs to recover combined with the absence of quality pass-rushers surrounding him is going to make life extremely difficult for Hunter. He won’t even get to 10 sacks this year. He’ll still be Minnesota’s best pass rusher, but his return won’t be enough to lift the group out of the doldrums.

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