The Vikings’ EDGE3 Job Could Now Be Settled

Many appear to believe that the Vikings’ EDGE3 position is unfilled. Or, perhaps, filled by somebody who isn’t particularly promising, such as undrafted talents like Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and/or Chaz Chambliss.

Does the team itself agree?

What has been so striking about the Minnesota Vikings’ approach to the edge rusher spot has been the near total neglect. Minnesota sent away Jonathan Greenard in a trade that now feels like it was a lifetime ago. Nobody got drafted at the position and the UDFA helping was modest for edge rusher help. Similar modesty characterized the free agency effort for the edge rusher spot. What gives?

The Vikings’ EDGE3 Job May Be Settled Already

Do note, folks, that the worries about the edge rusher spot go beyond just Twitter (an online wasteland).

Former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond offers his writing for Vikings Territory. Consider what he had to say on the matter: “If the Vikings are considering adding a veteran edge rusher, the market is getting thinner with Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Texans, Von Miller joining the Cowboys, and Za’Darius Smith headed to the Falcons.”

And another thought not long afterwards: “They probably want to see if second-round pick Jake Golday can prove he can be an impact edge rusher/outside ‘backer along with backing up at inside linebacker.”

Truth be told, I’ve been wondering about the same issue. Where is Jake Golday at in his pursuit of edge rusher snaps?

After today’s practice, I asked Golday about his opportunities at edge rusher. “My primary position right now is just focusing on WILL,” Golday explained, “and I’m going to do whatever is asked of me everyday. But like today I got a couple reps on the edge. And I love to be versatile.”

Golday, in short, likes playing edge rusher but has mostly played as the weak-side off-ball linebacker (a.k.a. WILL).

In contrast, Eric Wilson sounds like a man who is pretty excited about playing edge rusher when we chatted for a few minutes after today’s practice. Golday sounded eager to play the position more but accepting of whatever his job is. Wilson, in contrast, sounded ready to roll with his assignment.

Wilson’s take on things: “I’ve done it before. I’ve done it before my first time around, I’ve been on the EDGE a bit, just playing like SAM. And I kinda like it, honestly. I kind of like it a lot. I remember playing in high school, I played on the edge a bit. I wasn’t a d-end but would be here and there.”

Wilson likes dabbling in different spots on the field, describing it as being fun and good for the team overall. He even reaches back into his past to highlight some reps at the specific spot, seeming to suggest a longstanding confidence in his capacity to get the job done if he’s the Vikings’ EDGE3.

Indeed, the suggestion here is that Eric Wilson is the Vikings’ EDGE3. That much has been obvious for a little while but the inaction from the team reinforces the idea more and more.

Per PFF, Eric Wilson got put up onto the defensive line for 336 snaps last season. Might he see a similar helping of reps in that spot?

Otherwise, the plan is to see a healthier Andrew Van Ginkel alongside a meatier workload for the insanely-talented Dallas Turner. Moreover, Ty Ingram-Dawkins is a chess piece who can get flexed out while also being kicked inside.

Here’s how you should actually think about the edge rusher depth:

• EDGE1 Andrew Van Ginkel
• EDGE2 Dallas Turner
• EDGE3 Eric Wilson
• EDGE4 Ty Ingram-Dawkins
• EDGE5/6 Jake Golday?
• EDGE5/6 Bo Richter or Tyler Batty or Chaz Chambliss

The possibility exists that what the Vikings are cooking up doesn’t work. Injuries can pile up quickly in a sport as rough as NFL football. Seeing even one or two top options lose time would be a major gut punch. Or maybe the plan all along has been to add a veteran, something they could do whenever they want.

Given the promise that Wilson has shown as the Vikings’ EDGE3 last season, though, it’s not tough to follow how Minnesota is planning on attacking the depth issue.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.