The consensus of experts this week at the NFL Scouting Combine was that the Vikings will be inclined to use the 12th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to help the defense.
It's not shocking to project Minnesota would quickly try to boost a unit that ranked 24th in scoring and 30th in yards allowed, as well as first downs gained by opponents in 2021.
The 4,300 passing yards allowed ranked 28th, and the 29 passing touchdowns thrown by foes ranked 22nd.
The Vikings offset those to a degree by recording 51 sacks and 16 interceptions. The sacks total tied for the second most in one season by a Minnesota team (since 1982), matching the 1992 squad but ending 20 shy of the whopping 71 by the 1989 Vikings. The interceptions total was the second-highest since 2006 when Minnesota recorded 21 picks and was one shy of matching the 17 nabbed by the 2019 team.
Yet, there were too many times — particularly in the final two minutes of halves — when the pass rush couldn't affect quarterbacks at critical junctures, or the coverage wasn't good enough to prevent completions.
Get a behind-the-scenes look of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell at the 2022 NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
With that in mind, would experts place more value on bolstering the pass rush or the back end of the defense?
"I am so old-school, my automatic go-to is solid pass rush," CBS and NFL Network analyst Charles Davis told Vikings Radio Network's Ben Leber. "That's what it's always been. But it's really interesting to me that in recent years, teams have prioritized a lockdown corner.
"And what's been interesting has been the explanation for it," said Davis, who played safety in college at Tennessee. "I remember talking with a defensive coordinator and I was like, 'I still think the pass rush.' He said, 'You're not wrong, but think about how fast that ball's getting out of a quarterback's hands nowadays. … I mean, it's catch, rock and fire. Catch, rock and fire. Now, I'm still old-school. It's hard to get me off of it. I still want that monster guy. I still want that Myles Garrett. When Danielle Hunter's at the top of his game, I still want Danielle Hunter."
Hunter, of course, missed the final 10 games of the season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle, and he missed all of 2020 after suffering a neck injury in that year's training camp before Vikings players donned pads.
In his chat with Davis, Leber pointed out the role of the pass rush for the past two Super Bowl winners. Although Tampa Bay finished with a modest three sacks against Kansas City in LV, the Buccaneers affected Patrick Mahomes throughout the game. Last month, the Los Angeles Rams tied a Super Bowl record with seven sacks and forced an incompletion on Cincinnati's final offensive snap.
"I'm with you on that one. And here's the other thing, too – the way these defenses are playing … they want the front four to win, and then you can play games with the back seven. So you can help your corners," Davis said. "But if you have a front four that can win? Now, let's face it – we don't all have Aaron Donald breaking down the interior, but that interior pass rusher and off the edge? You can create some damage."
Vikings cornerbacks also missed time in 2021 for various reasons, and there are multiple pending free agents with that group.
NBC Sports' Chris Simms, who started 16 of the 23 NFL games he played from 2004-09, said pass rushers weigh more on the minds of a QB than a corner. He relayed to Leber his experience of preparing for snaps with defensive end Julius Peppers "in his prime" on the other side of the line.
"I was literally like, 'Blue 45' and looking out of the corner of my eye every time I said a word," Simms said. "I was literally saying 'Set, hut' and taking a peek as I would pull out, just to go and see what kind of jump he got – especially if you didn't have a good right tackle. So that, to me, would be the thing I would look at.
"The DB thing, look, we know you need 'em," Simms added. "You've got to play man-to-man in certain situations in football right now, especially against the great offenses, because the quarterbacks and the receivers are too good, the systems are too good, they're going to pick apart zone coverage. So you do need that.
"I guess what I look at, too, that takes away from the DB case in point here, a little bit – the offensive coordinators, the Kevin O'Connells of the world, they're so good at getting their best receiver in a position to where now the best corner can't really cover him. Or he can't bump him because we put him in the slot," Simms added. "So that's, to me, where I edge on the pass rush. But it's gotta be the right value at that point, too."
View photos at Head Coach Kevin O'Connell at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell
The two also discussed the potential of Minnesota using more 3-4 alignments and principles under new Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell after decades of going with a 4-3 base in which Leber played linebacker from 2006-10.
"I think it's cool they're going to the 3-4, honestly. … I think it's more of a pain … for offenses. There are just more things to worry about with the 3-4 fronts," Simms said. "There's a little bit more versatility in what they do; it messes with how a guy like Kevin O'Connell – this is probably why he likes Ed Donatell, because he goes, 'Man, when I organize game plans and our running attack for the 3-4, there's just so many different ways they can line up, too, within that, that gives offenses issues. It's cloudy.
"And the same with the blitz packages," Simms added. "It's like, 'Wait, there's four linebackers; there's three linemen. Whoa, there's a different [number] of combinations they can bring.' But within that, you have to change around your personnel."
O'Connell, Minnesota's newly hired head coach, and Donatell downplayed a complete overhaul of the defense, pointing to the frequency that teams are in the nickel defense.
NFL Media analyst and former defensive back Bucky Brooks agreed while discussing Hunter's potential role during an interview with Vikings Entertainment Network's Gabe Henderson.
"It's all, like, semantics. People talk about 4-3, 3-4, but in reality, 70 percent of the game is going to be nickel coverage. So when you think about nickel coverage, nickel defense, [Hunter is] going to put his hand down and he's going to come off the edge," Brooks said. "Maybe on early downs, maybe on first downs, he'll stand up on occasion. But good coaches? They're going to have their pass rushers rush. So he may stand up and everybody's like, 'Oh, he's an outside linebacker.' But he's coming most of the time. So he'll figure it out.
View photos from QB, WR and TE workouts at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (16) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Iowa State tight end Charlie Kolar (11) runs a blocking drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Texas Tech wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (10) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore (19) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden (04) runs the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Virginia tight end Jelani Woods (20) runs a blocking drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr (02) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Mississippi wide receiver Dontario Drummond (09) takes the vertical jump test during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Mississippi wide receiver Dontario Drummond (09) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones (15) takes the vertical jump test during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Purdue wide receiver David Bell (03) takes the vertical jump test during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden (04) takes the vertical jump test during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Nicholls State-La wide receiver Dai'Jean Dixon (06) runs the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr (02) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (15) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Brown quarterback E J Perry (10) throws during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Brown quarterback E J Perry (10) throws during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (16) throws during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (12) throws during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
SMU wide receiver Reggie Roberson Jr (27) runs the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Mike Woods (40) runs the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (13) throws during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Mike Woods (40) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Miami wide receiver Charleston Rambo (26) reaches for a pass during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce (24) runs a route during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Colorado State tight end Trey McBride (13) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III (01) runs the 40 yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Purdue wide receiver David Bell (03) runs the 40 yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden (04) runs the 40 yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer (21) throws during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer (21) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Michigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor (20) runs the 40 yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Arizona State tight end Curtis Hodges (10) runs a blocking drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Virginia tight end Jelani Woods (20) runs a blocking drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Iowa State tight end Chase Allen (02) looks to throw during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen (01) runs a blocking drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones (15) runs during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Oklahoma tight end Jeremiah Hall (07) runs a blocking drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III (01) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Michigan State tight end Connor Heyward (09) runs a blocking drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Mississippi wide receiver Braylon Sanders (30) drives with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Mississippi wide receiver Braylon Sanders (30) drives with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Virginia Tech wide receiver Tré Turner (34) drives with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson (35) drives with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oregon State tight end Teagan Quitoriano (17) catches the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Michigan State tight end Connor Heyward (09) takes a moment between drills during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Mike Woods (40) drives with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Miami wide receiver Charleston Rambo (26) runs with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (22) catches the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Mississippi wide receiver Braylon Sanders (30) catches the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson (39) catches the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson (39) catches the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Mike Woods (40) catches the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Miami wide receiver Charleston Rambo (26) runs a drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (33) runs a drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Virginia Tech wide receiver Tré Turner (34) runs a drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (15) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave (21) runs a drill during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe (17) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (12) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong (14) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Northern Iowa wide receiver Isaiah Weston (36) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Mississippi wide receiver Braylon Sanders (30) tries to stay on his feet during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong (14) throws a pass during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Miami wide receiver Charleston Rambo (26) turns after making a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (31) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Mike Woods (40) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (22) dives to try to make a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Virginia Tech wide receiver Tré Turner (34) drives with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson (35) drives with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Mike Woods (40) extends to make a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Mississippi wide receiver Braylon Sanders (30) during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely (12) catches the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (12) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (13) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong (14) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (15) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (11) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (12) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (15) throws the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave (21) drives with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (22) drives with the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (31) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (32) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (33) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oregon wide receiver Devon Williams (37) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson (39) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson (39) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Mike Woods (40) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
SMU tight end Grant Calcaterra (04) runs the 40-yard-dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Maryland tight end Chig Okonkwo (15) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Virginia tight end Jelani Woods (20) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore (19) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (22) leaps as he participates in the vertical jump during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (15) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe (17) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (11) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (12) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (15) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (22) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Mississippi State wide receiver Makai Polk (25) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong (14) scrambles to throw the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Miami wide receiver Charleston Rambo (26) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Kentucky wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (28) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Mississippi wide receiver Braylon Sanders (30) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Miami quarterback D'Eriq King (09) throws during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Mike Woods (40) broad jumps during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Texas Tech wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (10) broad jumps during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III (01) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Purdue wide receiver David Bell (03) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
North Dakota State wide receiver Christian Watson (35) looks on during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
San Diego State tight end Daniel Bellinger (03) broad jumps during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Indiana tight end Peyton Hendershot (08) broad jumps during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Nevada tight end Cole Turner (19) broad jumps during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden (04) holds the ball during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Rutgers wide receiver Bo Melton (17) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Michigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor (20) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave (21) poses for a photo during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Oklahoma wide receiver Mike Woods (40) looks on during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (22) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Kentucky wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (28) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson (39) makes a catch during the 2022 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 3, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
"And maybe it frees Danielle Hunter up – maybe he is able to do it from a 2-point stance," Brooks added. "But I think at the end of the day, you want guys that can sack the quarterback to get after the quarterback. I don't think you'll get too cute trying to figure out how to put him in coverage just because it says it's a 3-4."
Returning Hunter will be a big step forward for Minnesota's pass rush, and it will probably reverberate to the point of helping the secondary in coverage, but expect the Vikings to try to bolster both aspects of their defense through free agency or the draft.
