Patrick Peterson Expected to Transform Vikings' Defense
By Peter Dewey
The Minnesota Vikings are trying to fix their defense after allowing the sixth-most yards in the NFL season.
They’ve brought in several players to help do that, with Sheldon Richardson, Patrick Peterson, Xavier Woods, Mackensie Alexander and Bashuad Breeland, but one addition seems to have the Vikings’ roster really excited.
Peterson, who is an eight-time Pro Bowler, is getting a ton of praise from Harrison Smith as one of the missing pieces Minnesota needed.
"We were pretty young at corner last year. A lot of good players but just young," Smith said during minicamp. "There's not a ton of guys like Pat out there, but having a guy like that come in at corner is big, not only his play, which is top notch, but just his presence and his knowledge, he can pass on to the young guys. Obviously safeties, corners, we're always working together, so having vets on the outside and deep and young guys, it's a good mix and we can learn a lot from each other."
Peterson’s experience and resume can’t be replaced, and it should help the Vikings take advantage in the NFC North. With Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers still in a stand off, Minnesota is projected to finish second in the NFC North this season, as the Vikings’ odds of winning the division are set at +250. The Vikings are expected to improve on last season’s disappointing campaign, as WynnBET has them projected to win 8.5 games with the over (-155) as a heavy favorite.
Last season, Peterson had three interceptions and 61 tackles in 16 games.
Minnesota had the NFL’s eighth-worst defense against the pass, so it is important that it fixes the secondary in order to compete with Green Bay in 2021. Smith thinks this unit has a lot of potential this season, and Vegas is leaning towards the Vikings being a borderline playoff team with their win projection.
"Love having all the new guys, and we're building some good chemistry, whether it's in the secondary or up front," he said. "We've got a good mix of young guys and vets. I think it's got a lot of potential."