Ifeadi Odenigbo, Defensive End

Ifeadi Odenigbo didn’t make a single start for the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, but he didn’t need to, making a huge impact while serving a rotational spot on the roster.

The inexperienced Odenigbo sat behind one of the best defensive end duos in the NFL, Minnesota’s terrifying one-two punch of Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter. Even with the combo of Griffen and Hunter taking snaps, Odenigo still managed to make a name for himself with seven sacks and 13 QB hits in just his second season.

But Odenigbo will get a shot in 2020 to do what he’s never done in his professional career, start a game. Griffen, who has been with the Vikings since 2010, remains a free agent but looks like his time with Minnesota is over. That leaves the door open for Odenigbo to get even more reps than he did in 2019, and put up even bigger numbers once his snap total goes up. 

Even more, Odenigbo will have the advantage of playing alongside an experienced partner-in-crime with Hunter. The two of them together have the potential to be a longterm tag-team, and Odenigbo has the chance to ascend to the role that Griffen played for the Vikings on last year’s team.