The Vikings spent a 2021 2nd round choice to acquire DE Yannick Ngakoue, along with a 2022 conditional 5th round choice, which could become a 4th rounder if Ngakoue makes the Pro Bowl this year, and a 3rd rounder if the Vikings also win the Super Bowl. The Vikings will not be able to extend Ngakoue up until next off-season, as that is the rule when a gamer does not sign their franchise tender prior to July 15, as held true with Ngakoue. This season it was reported that Ngakoue took a $5 million wage cut to join the Vikings, counting about $13 million on the Vikings books this season. His franchise tender wouldve paid him almost $18 million.
While it may be difficult on the Vikings wage cap wallet, the trade for Yannick Ngakoue (Yah-NEEK In-GACK-way) does make sense for the Vikings in a variety of ways, some that may not be immediately apparent.
Lets take a better look.
Hes Young and Can Make Immediate Impact
Ngakoue is 25, 5 months more youthful than Danielle Hunter, prepared one year later, and entering his fifth year. Hes had comparable performance as Hunter when it pertains to disruptive plays:
Having two top-notch edge rushes also makes it more hard for opposing defenses to shut them down. If you have only one top-notch edge rush, and the other is typical, offenses will utilize a chipper to slow the first-class man, and take their chances with the average guy. Thats an often successful strategy that silences the superior people efficiency which of the defensive line as a whole.
Currently having actually accomplished this level of performance, and just entering his prime, it makes good sense to figure Ngakoue can have an instant impact for the Vikings at right-end, a position hes played approximately half of his snaps over the last few years.
Ngakoue also had a pass-rush win rate of 21% as an edge rusher last season, per NFL Next Gen Stats, which ranked higher than Griffen (17%) and Hunter (15%).
Assuming the Vikings can exercise an extension handle Ngakoue next year, which doubtless wouldve been talked about in the trade settlements, the Vikings might protect Ngakoues services throughout his prime, concurrent with Hunters. That provides the Vikings a pair of shown, high-end edge rushers for the next a number of years – marking off an important box in maintaining a competitive lineup.
Hes Good and Still Developing
Ngakoue brings a pretty well established tool package when it comes to rushing the passer. NFL Draft Network did a profile on Ngakoue as a possible free agent/trade chance earlier this year, and had this to say about his pass hurrying tool kit:
So now hell have the chance to deal with Andre Patterson, one of the best in the organization, who can help him improve his game in other ways beyond just his pass rush.
At 6 2″ with 32.5″ arms, he doesnt have prototypical edge-rusher length, but he has actually developed a lot of methods to beat opposing tackles – as evidenced by his production.
Ngakoue is not as established as a run defender and tackler – similar in that regard to Griffen with whom he shares similar measurables. Griffen had great and not-so-good years in those locations during his profession with the Vikings.
Ngakoue, at 6-foot-2 and 252 pounds, sets short-area volatility with natural take advantage of to threaten pass protectors with his slew of rush counters. He has lots of tools in his tool kit to make for a difficult task in individually pass protection. Ngakoue has the capability to play in a wide-nine alignment and speed rush past deals with or all at once convert that speed to power if he senses his blocker has overset or is bailing out to make up for the speed.
Add some savvy rush counters: His finest one is his cross chop however Ngakoue likewise loads an effective club and the required body control to decrease his area and slip previous punches with skill as well.
Translation: He can beat you with speed, power, technique and skill.
If the Vikings do not go with a 4-3 Under Front, Ngakoue could benefit from playing more or less exclusively on the best side, rather than changing back and forth in an Under Front depending on the strength of the offending formation. That could potentially result in more efficiency. Well see.
Do not Forget About the Capers Connection
Vikings new protective advisor Dom Capers invested last year in the very same capability with the Jaguars, who ran a 4-3 Under Front. Ive speculated about the Vikings installing that front, although with the reduced off-season I do not see that on the instant horizon. Well see.
So, instead of having Ngakoue (or Hunter) scampering the edge, all of a sudden theres a space inside filled by a blitzing Anthony Barr, for example. Among the takes on is entrusted to absolutely nothing to do, and out of position to block a blitzing linebacker through an interior space.
Dom Capers would have been in great position to offer a substantial assessment of Ngakoue over the previous year and pass that along to Zimmer and Patterson.
The other thing that Ngakoue does well (albeit on minimal snaps) is coverage. Ngakoue can do that.
Hes a Workhorse
Stay tuned.
Ngakoues work principles and intensity have actually constantly been amongst the most respected in Jacksonvilles locker room. – Mark Long, Orlando Sentinel
Bottom Line
According to Mark Long, who covers the Jaguars for the Orlando Sentinel, Ngakoue is also well respected in the Jags locker space for his work principles and intensity. Undoubtedly those qualities will fit right in with the Vikings defensive line group, and his equivalent Danielle Hunter, who displays those exact same qualities himself.
Riley Reiff has actually regularly been considered the main target for wage cap relief for the Vikings, as he has a $13.2 wage cap struck this year, with not much dead cap. Possibly with that in mind, the Vikings had Brian ONeill at left deal with in practice today for the very first time, and Oli Udoh beginning at ideal tackle.
The acquisition of Yannick Ngakoue provides the Vikings an instant upgrade at the key edge rusher position, and raises the Vikings to probably the finest edge-rusher tandem in the league. With some promising cornerbacks coming up this year, unexpectedly the Vikings defense is looking rather powerful.
I picture hell continue to get roughly the very same variety of snaps in Minnesota, with mostly Ifeadi Odenigbo spelling him.
Ngakoue has also been a workhorse since hes gone into the league. Hes just missed 2 video games in four seasons, so hes tested quite resilient. Hes also averaged about 800 snaps a season, so hes revealed the stamina and conditioning to handle a relatively heavy workload as an edge rush – comparable to Hunter and Griffen in that regard.
Poll
Did the Vikings do the best thing in allocating their draft capital and wage cap space to acquire Yannick Ngakoue?
I think we must think Mike Zimmer when he said hes never had a bad defense and isnt planning on having one this year either.
The key to this deal will be to protect an affordable offer to extend Ngakoue through his prime. I would picture the outline of that sort of extension has been talked about in between the Vikings and Ngakoue, even though absolutely nothing can be signed until next off-season. In the meantime, Ngakoue looks to be approximately a $13 million wage cap struck this year – which suggests the Vikings have cleared their income cap wallet, and will require to begin seeking to free up some space moving forward.
95%.
Yes.
( 273 votes).
4%.
No.
( 14 votes).
287 votes overall.
The Vikings invested a 2021 2nd round choice to get DE Yannick Ngakoue, along with a 2022 conditional 5th round choice, which could end up being a 4th rounder if Ngakoue makes the Pro Bowl this year, and a 3rd rounder if the Vikings likewise win the Super Bowl. The Vikings will not be able to extend Ngakoue till next off-season, as that is the rule when a gamer does not sign their franchise tender prior to July 15, as was the case with Ngakoue. The acquisition of Yannick Ngakoue offers the Vikings an immediate upgrade at the crucial edge rush position, and elevates the Vikings to most likely the best edge-rusher tandem in the league. I would envision the outline of that sort of extension has been gone over in between the Vikings and Ngakoue, even though absolutely nothing can be signed until next off-season. In the meantime, Ngakoue looks to be roughly a $13 million income cap struck this year – which means the Vikings have actually cleared their salary cap wallet, and will require to start looking to free up some space going forward.
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