Former NFL O-Lineman Breaks Down What Makes Vikings EDGE Rushers So Elite

The Minnesota Vikings defense is on fire, and there is no doubt Brian Flores’ crew deserves the largest chunk of responsibility pie for Sunday morning’s victory over the New York Jets, in London.

What makes Minnesota’s defensive unit so good is all the different ways it can beat you. The addition of Stephon Gilmore in the secondary has given them the lockdown corner that they so desperately lacked in 2023.

2024 Minnesota Vikings defense better at every level vs 2023

At safety, Minnesota has arguably the most talented group of any team in the NFL. Between future HOF, Harrison Smith, blossoming star Cam Bynum, and hybrid safety Josh Metellus, talent is literally overflowing out of that room.

Related: Is Minnesota Vikings Legend Harrison Smith a Lock for NFL Hall of Fame?

On the interior defensive line, we’ve seen Harrison Phillips reach a new gear, as the Vikings piece together the rest of the interior around him. But where the most production and noticeable change has taken place is at linebacker.

Inside, Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr, and now Kamu Grugier-Hill, have proven themselves more than capable, at the position. That may not seem like high praise, but “more than capable” is not something that was guaranteed, entering the season with three new starters from last year, plus a sophomore UDFA overachiever.

#FFIDP – Minnesota Vikings linebackers in Week 5:

72 defensive snaps

Ivan Pace returned to the lineup this week, but that didn't change his part-time role.

Pace played just one third-down in this game and split early down duties with KGH. pic.twitter.com/9eNXJ638AU

— Jon Macri (@PFF_Macri) October 6, 2024

Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard have changed everything

But one of the most noticeable defensive positions of impact so far this season has been at the outside linebacker or EDGE rusher position, for the Minnesota Vikings hybrid 3-4 defense. Mainly, Andrew Van-Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard.

It’s that EDGE tandem that might deserve more credit for Sunday’s win vs the Jets than any other position group on the roster. Had it not been for a 1st quarter pick-six, Van Ginkel’s night would have looked less than pedestrian on paper. The boxscore shows just one assisted tackle, in the entire contest.

Related: Biggest Minnesota Vikings Winners and Losers Thru Week 5: Who Sticks Out So Far?

Same can be said for Greenard, who’s statline shows a mark in just one category, 3 QB hits. But Brian Baldinger (SKY Sports), who played over a decade in the NFL and has analyzed it at arguably an even higher level, went beyond the numbers, when looking at both guys’ performances.

Baldy breaks down what makes Brian Flores’ EDGE duo so lethal

In doing so, “Baldy” came out of it blown away by the havoc that the duo caused all night. There are no transcripts below the video because Brian embeds captions into his videos. Nonetheless, I’d highly recommend sound if at all possible. Nobody breaks down offensive/defensive line play quite like Brian Baldinger.

.@Vikings @jongreenard7 was a GR8 FA signing for this Brian Flores Defense. Excels in all phases #skol #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/LCxFnijdgd

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 7, 2024

.@Vikings @AndrewVanGinkel with 2nd "pick 6" in 5 weeks….He is the playmaker on this defense….Is he the DPOY through 5 weeks? #skol #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/0kFcHxNpXb

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 7, 2024

PFF agrees with Baldy (for the most part)

A look at Pro Football Focus tells the same story as what Baldy saw. Not only was Andrew Van Ginkel good, before and after his incredible interception return, he was the highest graded player on the entire Vikings defense on Sunday (85.0 DEF grade), but he also posted a ridiculous 91.1 coverage grade. As a linebacker, that is absurd.

Jonathan Greenard didn’t get quite as much love from PFF. He graded out as a 66.0 overall on defense, and really struggled with both his tackle (28.7) and coverage (28.9) grades. Greenard did, however, post a 73.9 pass rush grade.

Related: Oddsmakers Like Minnesota Vikings in Stacked NFC North

Both Greenard and Van Ginkel played the exact same amount of snaps (61). The former rushed the passer 44 times, and dropped in coverage just three times. The latter played coverage 16 times and rushed the passer 36 times.