Ex Vikings Star Danielle Hunter Has A Very Long….
DeMeco Ryans orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for Houston’s defense last season, elevating it to a level of respectability. With emerging talents like Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr., the Texans have a promising foundation to build upon. However, there’s a need to bolster their defensive line, particularly with Jonathan Greenard perhaps on his way out.
Despite Greenard’s potential departure, the Texans are well-positioned to address their pass-rushing needs. With ample cap space, they could pursue Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter, currently ranked as the top edge defender in PFF’s free-agent rankings. “Jonathan Greenard may be departing in free agency, leaving a void on the edge, but the Texans have plenty of cap space to go after Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter,” wrote PFF. “Hunter is currently the top edge defender available in PFF’s free-agent rankings. He finished the 2023 regular season with the ninth-most pressures in the NFL and would create a fearsome tandem with Anderson.” Hunter’s performance in the 2023 regular season, where he ranked ninth in pressures across the NFL, underscores his impact potential. Pairing Hunter with Anderson would form a strong duo on the edge, significantly enhancing Houston’s pass rush. Securing Hunter would not only address an immediate need but also provide long-term stability and firepower to Houston’s defense. Related: Can Texans Solve Safety Concerns by Signing All-Pro Free Agent? Hunter’s renegotiated contract with the Vikings last season eliminated the possibility of the team using a tag on him, positioning him for a significant payday.
And with six seasons of 10-plus sacks, including a career-high 16.5 in 2023, Hunter stands out as one of football’s premier pass rushers, he could be exactly what the Texans are looking for.
The Minnesota Vikings Have some tough decisions to make regarding the running back position this offseason. The Departure of Alexander Mattison didn’t come as a shock to most Vikings fans as his overall production declined as the starter after he carried most of the load in the 2023-2024 season, but with the acquisition of Cam Akers and Ty Chandler stepping up, the question now becomes who’s going to step into the role of RB1 for the upcoming 2024-2025 season?
Ty Chandler was RB2 in the 2023 season before making his way to RB1 for a short period of time while Alexander Mattison was hurt. Throughout the 2023 season, Chandler carried the ball 102 times for 461 yards and 3 touchdowns. Chandler Brings excellent speed and agility, allowing him to break away from defenders and make big plays.
He’s also a very versatile back who can contribute to both the passing and running game. He’s a capable receiver out of the backfield and can also be used in special teams roles. Chandler also exhibits good vision and awareness, allowing him to find running lanes and make quick decisions on the field.
The bad things about Chandler though is that he lacks consistency. While Chandler has shown some flashes of brilliance, he has also been inconsistent at times, struggling to maintain high levels of performance from game to game. He also has had ball security issues in the past dating back to college which has effected him and is a concern at the NFL Level.
Another candidate for Rb1 is Cam Akers. Akers has struggled with a plethora of injuries throughout his career which is partly the reason for his departure from the Rams. Plus his numbers coming to the Minnesota Vikings haven’t been the greatest with 60 carries for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 2023 season. Some scouts have even noted that Akers seems to have a somewhat unorthodox running style which may lead to challenges in certain offensive schemes or systems.
The Only upside with Cam is his Athleticism and Speed, his Versatility, his Agility and Elusiveness on the field, and his Vision and decision making is some of the most elite in the game. Akers has huge upside potential showing steady improvement and development since coming into the league and coming to Minnesota. Which indicates that he has the potential to become a premier running back in the NFL.
