Vikings outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel was recently touted as a possible secret weapon.

CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin met with the veteran edge player, who has reunited with Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores in his first year on the Vikings, at Monday's practice and left impressed.

By Van Ginkel's versatility – and his instant off-field impact.

Before his first official snap as a Viking, Van Ginkel has already indebted himself to the community. Physically speaking, he was practically destined for Minnesota, sporting the long blonde locks and towering frame (6-4, 242) of an ancient warrior. Yet it was his work this summer, in his hometown nestled about four hours from the Vikings TCO Performance Center, that really struck a chord in the region. When heavy June rainfall caused a levee overflow back in Rock Valley, Iowa, historic flooding threatened the homes and businesses of thousands. Van Ginkel and his wife, Sam, were some of the first to lend their hand to the city, putting their own boots on the ground to organize free delivery of hot meals to displaced residents and others affected by the storms. … "I'm fired up to be close to home again," Van Ginkel said. "It's where my roots are. It's where I grew up. It's kinda everything I know. You see people hurting that you know. You see all the schools, the churches that were affected this summer. It was devastating."

In Benjamin's feature, he explores the 29-year-old Van Ginkel's aim to be a Swiss Army knife in Flores' defense; a homegrown selflessness; a desire to prove the Vikings can contend; and handling of family responsibilities.

Besides his community service, the former Wisconsin standout is also a father to two small boys, who are "equally challenging" to wrangle as pro quarterbacks. He's a dedicated husband to Sam, whom he deems "the rock" of his life and a proactive partner when it comes to NFL decisions. He's trying, in what little spare time he has, to soak up all the delicacies of Midwest life, be it cheese curds at the State Fair or summer days that don't demand nearly as much hydration as the Miami heat. And he's preparing to become a fan favorite at U.S. Bank Stadium, angling to follow in the footsteps of childhood idols like Jared Allen and Chad Greenway, and turn the right spotlight back upon those Vikings.

Van Ginkel completed 2023 with a career-high six sacks before suffering a foot injury. He's healthy now, readying for Year 6 in the NFL and first outside of Miami, where he was coached by Flores from 2019-21.

Visiting bold Vikings predictions

Will Ragatz of Vikings On SI shared four bold predictions dealing with the Vikings 2024 campaign. Let's break them down in order. And, yes, we're steering clear of a pessimistic take.

Ragatz spits fire right away: Aaron Jones sets career high in yards from scrimmage after turning 30.

Jones has the talent and track record to do it. He had over 1,450 yards in 2020 and 2022, and he finished last year averaging 130.6 yards over Green Bay's final five games of the season (regular and playoffs). In his seven-year career, he's averaged an even 5.0 yards per carry and 7.6 yards per reception. He's also joining a Minnesota offense that, when fully healthy, is full of pass-catching weapons (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson) defenses must respect. The reason this is a bold prediction is that Jones turns 30 in December and missed a chunk of last season due to injury. Plus, as excited as the Vikings are to have added Jones to their offense, they're also going to use Ty Chandler plenty in the backfield.

Ragatz doesn't envision Jones getting workhorse touches – and doesn't believe the Vikings RB needs them to eclipse his career-high tally of 1,558 yards from scrimmage set in his third professional season.

Here's a short history lesson.

Eleven running backs have produced 1,600 scrimmage yards at 30 or older. The last to do it? Vikings Legend Adrian Peterson, who totaled 1,707 in 2015 via 357 offensive touches. Ricky Watters (2000), Charlie Garner (2002), Priest Holmes (2003), Curtis Martin and Corey Dillon (2004), Warrick Dunn (2005) and Tiki Barber (2005-06) have crossed that threshold in the last 25 seasons. Hall of Famers Walter Payton (1983-86), Tony Dorsett (1984-85) and Barry Sanders (1998) founded the 30-and-up fraternity.

Let's switch sides to continue with Ragatz's raging takes.

His second prediction has a lot of merit: Brian Flores' defense climbs into top 6 in DVOA in year two.

Last year, Flores showed up in Minnesota and engineered quite a turnaround. Despite the team moving on from key veterans like Eric Kendricks, Dalvin Tomlinson, Patrick Peterson, and Za'Darius Smith, Flores brought a Vikings defense that was 24^th in DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) in 2022 to the 11th-best mark in 2023. … Flores' system should be even further developed in year two. Returning players have that much more comfort in the complexity of their roles. And I legitimately believe the Vikings upgraded by replacing Hunter, D.J. Wonnum, and Jordan Hicks with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman. On top of that, you've got the additions of Shaq Griffin, Dallas Turner and Stephon Gilmore to round things out.

A small leap is doable. For perspective, the Flores-led Dolphins defense improved from 12^th in 2020 DVOA to 9^th in 2021. The arrival of veterans – and not just any veterans but a couple studs with links to Flores (Gilmore and Van Ginkel) – increases the potential for a scheme laden with blitzes and disguises.

Ragatz also forecasted Will Reichard will break Vikings records for made field goals (Gary Anderson set it at 35 in 1998) and longest field goal (Greg Joseph's 61-yarder in 2022).

He also offered a projected total of interceptions by Vikings QBs.

Read the complete story here.