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Minnesota Vikings 3 most underrated moves of 2022 offseason

By Sayre Bedinger

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 25: Outside linebacker Jordan Hicks #58 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at State Farm Stadium on December 25, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Colts beat the Cardinals 22-16. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 25: Outside linebacker Jordan Hicks #58 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at State Farm Stadium on December 25, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Colts beat the Cardinals 22-16. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings offseason – Bills Harrison Phillips recovered a fumble my Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. /

The Minnesota Vikings have a new GM, a new head coach, and are hoping for renewed high hopes in the 2022 season. What underrated moves did they make?

It has been a loaded offseason for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.

The Vikings fired longtime general manager Rick Spielman, hiring former Cleveland Browns executive Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in his place.

They also let go of longtime head coach Mike Zimmer, replacing him with Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell.

Minnesota has long had pieces in place to be a potential title contender but you can’t help but wonder — is Kirk Cousins and his limited “ceiling” holding this team back?

The Vikings obviously believe that O’Connell and his new staff can get the best out of Cousins and their tremendous offensive weapons.

O’Connell brought in longtime Vic Fangio assistant Ed Donatell as his defensive coordinator. Along with bringing in Donatell, the Vikings made a plethora of moves to upgrade their personnel on the defensive side of the ball, including some moves that have flown under the radar.

Which moves, specifically, have not gotten the kind of fanfare they probably should?

Let’s take a look at three.

Minnesota Vikings underrated move no. 1: DL Harrison Phillips

One of the more underrated moves for any team this offseason was the Vikings’ signing of defensive lineman Harrison Phillips, who returns to the Midwest after stints at both coasts.

A top recruit out of Omaha, NE, Phillips played his college ball at Stanford before he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills’ 96th overall back in 2018.

Smith has not been an overly potent pass rush threat in his first four NFL seasons. He has just 1.5 career sacks and 13 career QB hits.

He does, however, excel at stopping the run and set a career-high with 51 total tackles last season.

The Vikings had a terrible run defense in 2021, ranking 29th in yards per carry allowed.

Phillips gives them a tough, physical, high-effort defensive lineman that can move around the formation for Donatell.

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