Fansided

3 Vikings who won’t survive training camp cuts

By Scott Rogust

Dec 25, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches the game in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer watches the game in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images /

2. Hercules Mata’afa, DE

The Vikings’ pass rush took a massive hit last season once Danielle Hunter was ruled out for the entirety of the 2021 season due to a neck injury. Things looked even bleaker this offseason as Hunter wanted to restructure his contract. Luckily, the Vikings and the star pass rusher agreed to terms, locking him into the 2021 season.

Minnesota has a ton of edge rushers on the roster, including Stephen Weatherly and 2020 draft picks D.J. Wonnum and Kenny Willekes. The Vikings were not done there, as they used their third- and fourth-round draft picks in the draft on Patrick Jones II and Janarius Robinson. There are only so many spots to go around, which means that Hercules Mata’afa may have a tough time making the roster.

The Vikings signed Mata’afa back in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Washington State. He logged playing time in 2019, recording just one tackle in six games. In 2020, the edge rusher recorded 24 total tackles (three for loss), six quarterback hit and 2.5 sacks in 13 games (one start). It must be noted that Mata’afa was waived in the middle of the 2020 season before he was brought back to the active roster.

Considering the team made a ton of additions on the defensive line this offseason, Mata’afa has a tall mountain to climb to make the 53-man roster.

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