Minnesota Vikings: 5 Bold predictions for the 2020 season
5. Ngakoue will shine with the Vikings
About two weeks prior to the first game of the season, Minnesota traded for young Pro Bowl defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, sending a pair of draft picks back to the Jacksonville Jaguars in return.
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The decision to add Ngakoue to the fold of this defense will be a much-needed addition in order to propel the purple and gold back to an elite level on that side of the ball, pairing him most notably on a suddenly scary defensive line alongside Danielle Hunter.
After an offseason where Minnesota saw a handful of key players depart via free agency, specifically the likes of Everson Griffen who signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent, the acquisition of the 25-year-old defensive end immediately boosts the Vikings defensive line and defense in general.
Not only is Ngakoue still young, turning 25 years old in March, but he could end up being a long-term piece to Minnesota defense that stretches beyond this season and for years to come.
In his fourth season in the NFL and with the Jaguars in 2019, Ngakoue appeared in 15 games for Jacksonville, tallying a career-best 41 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception and one defensive touchdown.
Now, Ngakoue gets a fresh start in Minnesota and will look to prove himself in order to set himself up for another contract beyond this year. If he is able to step up, this addition will be huge for the Vikings.