Stay or go: Minnesota Vikings 2021 defense

After a disappointing 2020 campaign in which the Minnesota Vikings finished 7-9 and missed the postseason, changes are coming. And coming quick.

Who might be returning to the 2021 edition of the team and which players will Vikings fans bid adieu?

We take a look at every player on the roster and their contract status — i.e. how much it would cost to cut them, if they are a free agent and what kind (unrestricted, restricted, exclusive rights) or if the player is simply signed to a futures deal.

Who do you think should stay or go on the defensive side of the ball? (Click here for offense.)

Well, at the end of the article you can cast your vote for each player’s fate (presented in the order they are listed below).

All contract and salary information courtesy OverTheCap.com.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Abdullah Anderson: Anderson spent most of the 2020 season on the Vikings’ practice squad, although he did play 10 defensive snaps against Detroit in Week 9. Salary situation: His practice squad contract expired with Minnesota, thus becoming a free agent. Our take: A return to Minnesota is doubtful. Go

Jordan Brailford: A 2019 seventh-round pick by Minnesota, Brailford played 34 defensive snaps over five contests for the Vikings in 2020 and tallied two tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one quarterback hit. Salary situation: He’s scheduled to be paid $780k next season, the final year of his deal. It won’t cost the Vikings a penny to cut him before the 2021 campaign. Our take: Brailford could be in line for a bigger role next season. Stay

Jalyn Holmes: The 2018 fourth-round pick appeared in 14 games (nine starts) in 2020 and logged 36 tackles, four quarterback hits and two passes defensed. Salary situation: Entering the final season of his rookie deal in 2021. The Vikings will face $183k in dead money but save $920k towards the cap if he’s cut. Our take: Minnesota’s pass rush struggled mightily in 2020, and Holmes didn’t help the cause. Go

Danielle Hunter: Hunter missed the start of the 2020 campaign due to a neck injury, then later announced he was done for the season after undergoing surgery. Minnesota missed him badly, as no player tallied more sacks than Yannick Ngakoue (5.0), who was traded after six games. Salary situation: He’s got three years left on his deal. However, there are rumors swirling that Hunter wants more money than the $17.8 million he’s owed next season. Our take: Could another extension be in play? Or *gasp* a trade? For the sake of the defense, we hope he’s back next season. Stay

Jaleel Johnson: Johnson started all 16 games at tackle in 2020 and registered 44 tackles (three for loss) and 1.5 sacks. Salary situation: Unrestricted free agent. Our take: Defensive line depth is always nice, but Johnson didn’t play well enough to earn a multiyear deal. Go

James Lynch: A fourth-round pick by Minnesota in 2020, Lynch tallied three tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack while playing 56 defensive snaps. Salary situation: Three years remain on his rookie deal. Our take: Lynch should see a bigger role in Year II. Stay

Hercules Mata’afa: Minnesota waived Mata’afa on Oct. 13, only to sign him to their practice squad and activate him once again. Mata’afa played 13 games and registered 24 tackles, six quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks. Salary situation: Mata’afa will become a free agent after the 2021 season. He’s owed $850K next season. Our take: Mata’afa has shown enough flash to bring him back as a depth piece. Stay

Ifeadi Odenigbo: Odenigbo was one of the more disappointing Vikings players in 2020. It looked like he was ready for a starting role at defensive end after racking up 7.0 sacks as a backup in 2019. However, Odenigbo was held to 3.5 sacks in 15 starts. Salary situation: Restricted free agent. Our take: We’re not sure how many teams will be calling Odenigbo this offseason. Go

Michael Pierce: The Vikings prized free-agent acquisition at defensive tackle opted out of the 2020 campaign due to COVID-19 concerns. Salary situation: Three years left on his deal. He’ll be paid $5 million next season. Our take: Vikings fans are holding out hope that Pierce can be a difference-maker on the line. Stay

Shamar Stephen: Stephen was forced into a starting DT role after Pierce opted out. He played all 16 games and tallied 34 tackles, 0.5 sacks and three quarterback hits. Salary situation: Owed $5.1 million next season, the final year of his contract. Our take: A backup role probably suits Stephen better. Stay

Armon Watts: Watts, a 2019 sixth-round pick, played 16 games and registered a career-high 31 tackles with 0.5 sacks. Salary situation: Owed $892K next year and will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2022 campaign. Our take: Again, a bit of cheap depth for the line. Stay

Kenny Willekes: A 2020 seventh-round pick, Willekes spent the entire season on injured reserve with a leg injury. Salary situation: Three years left on this rookie deal. Our take: Let’s give this guy a chance to prove himself in 2021. Stay

D.J. Wonnum: The rookie’s big moment in 2020 was his fourth-quarter strip sack of Aaron Rodgers in Week 8, which sealed the Vikings’ 28-22 victory over Green Bay. He finished the season with 24 tackles, five tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and one forced fumble. Salary situation: Three years to go on his rookie deal. Our take: He showed enough flash in 2020 for Vikings fans to hope he can arise as a future starter. Stay

Eddie Yarbrough: In four contests, Yarbrough tallied eight tackles and one quarterback hit. Salary situation: Restricted free agent. Our take: Nothing to see here. Go

CORNERBACK

Kris Boyd: Boyd was limited to 10 games in 2020 due to a handful of injuries. He tallied 34 tackles, two passes defensed and one forced fumble. Salary situation: Two seasons left on his contract. He’s owed $877K in 2021 but will cost the Vikings just $55K in dead money to cut him. Our take: A healthy Kris Boyd should help the Vikings’ secondary, but hopefully he won’t be relied on to be a starter every week in 2021. Stay

Cameron Dantzler: If it wasn’t for Justin Jefferson’s record-breaking season, Dantzler would be the most talked-about rookie on the Vikings. Dantzler, a 2020 third-round pick, logged 46 tackles, four passes defensed, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in 11 games. Salary situation: Three years left on his deal. He’ll be paid $1 million next season. Our take: Dantzler looks like the next prized possession of head coach Mike Zimmer, noted cornerback enthusiast. Stay

Jeff Gladney: Unlike most of his peers in the CB room, Gladney stayed healthy all season and tallied 81 tackles and three PD in 16 contests. Salary situation: Three years left on his contract (plus a team option for 2024). Our take: There were growing pains in 2020, but Gladney is far from a first-round bust. Stay

Harrison Hand: A fifth-round pick by Minnesota in 2020, Hand played 14 games and logged 17 tackles, three PD and one interception in 14 games (one start). Salary situation: Owed $855K next season and under contract through the 2023 campaign. Our take: If we’ve learned one thing in the Zimmer era, it takes most young cornerbacks a couple of seasons to catch on. Stay

Tae Hayes: Minnesota signed Hayes to its practice squad Nov. 23. He was activated for Week 17 but did not play a snap. Salary situation: Signed to a reserve/future contract. Our take: Let’s see what he can do in the preseason. Stay

Mike Hughes: Hughes, a 2018 first-round pick by the Vikings, was limited to four contests in 2020. He’s played just 24 games over three NFL seasons. Salary situation: Currently, he has one year left on his rookie deal. But the Vikings will have to decide by early May on whether they’d like to exercise Hughes’ fifth-year option for 2022. If Minnesota cuts Hughes, it’d take on $1.9 million in dead money. Our take: Hughes will likely be back for 2021. But 2022? That’s a different story. Stay

Chris Jones: Claimed by the Vikings on waivers in late October, Jones appeared in eight games for Minnesota and tallied 19 tackles. Salary situation: Exclusive-rights free agent. Our take: Minnesota isn’t going to keep all of its young CBs. Go

Luther Kirk: Kirk was signed to the Vikings practice squad in Week 3. The former Illinois State defensive back has yet to make his NFL debut. Salary situation: Signed to reserve/futures contract. Our take: We don’t see Kirk making the team. Go

Dylan Mabin: The Vikings signed Mabin off Las Vegas’ practice squad Nov. 5. He logged two tackles over three games. Salary situation: Exclusive-rights free agent. Our take: The Vikings have enough young cornerbacks. Go

Cordrea Tankersley: Tankersley appeared in two games and registered two tackles. Salary situation: Signed for the 2021 campaign for $920K. Our take: Tankersley was added to the roster due to a depleted cornerback room. Hopefully that’s not the case in 2021. Go

SAFETY

Myles Dorn: Signed by Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Dorn didn’t appear in a game and wrapped up the season on injured reserve. Salary situation: Two years left on his contract. He’s owed $665K next season, but Minnesota would face just $10K in dead money if he’s cut. Our take: He’s cheap. And for the Vikings, cheap is good. Stay

Anthony Harris: After tying for the league lead with six interceptions in 2019, Harris was brought back for 2020 on the franchise tag but didn’t haul in a single INT. Salary situation: Unrestricted free agent. Our take: Minnesota is lucky it didn’t offer him a multiyear deal last offseason. Go

George Iloka: Iloka played four games for the Vikings and tallied six tackles and one TFL. Salary situation: Unrestricted free agent. Our take: Iloka had two stints with Minnesota (2018, ’20) and both were unimpressive. Go

Josh Metellus: A 2020 sixth-round pick out of Wyoming, Metellus mostly played special teams but was on the field for 16 defensive snaps. He tallied nine tackles and two fumble recoveries. Salary situation: Under contract through the 2023 season, but he won’t cost any dead money if cut. Our take: Metellus contributed a ton on special teams. His career is off to a solid start. Stay

Curtis Riley: Minnesota signed Riley midseason off Arizona’s practice squad. He played one (yes, one) defensive snap. Salary situation: Unrestricted free agent. Our take: He’ll likely be a one-snap wonder. Go

Harrison Smith: The five-time Pro Bowl safety hauled in five interceptions, his most since 2017. Smith also logged 89 tackles, 10 passes defensed and 0.5 sacks. Salary situation: Only one year remains on his contract. Smith is due $10.3 million but won’t cost Minnesota a penny if he’s cut. Our take: Where would this defense be without The Hitman? Stay

LINEBACKER

Ryan Connelly: The Eden Prairie, Minn., native played 14 games — all on special teams — and logged six tackles. Salary situation: Two years left on his deal. Connelly will get paid $850K next season but won’t cost Minnesota any dead money if cut. Our take: It’s always easy cheering for a hometown guy. Stay

Anthony Barr: Barr was injured in Minnesota’s loss to Indianapolis in Week 2 and was shelved for the season. He had six tackles. Salary situation: Barr has three seasons left on his deal. He’ll be paid $15 million in 2021. If he’s cut or traded after June 1, the Vikings would save $12.4 million towards the cap but face $2.6 million in dead money. Our take: The Vikings need a healthy Barr to compete in the NFC North. Stay

Todd Davis: The Vikings signed the veteran Davis after Barr suffered a season-ending injury. He played 11 games (six starts) and racked up 35 tackles, two tackles for loss, two passes defensed and 1.0 sack. Salary situation: Unrestricted free agent. Our take: We can only hope for a healthier LB room next season. Go

Troy Dye: A 2020 fourth-round pick out of Oregon, Dye appeared in 11 games (five starts) and posted 28 tackles, two PD and one quarterback hit. Salary situation: Three years left on his rookie deal. He’ll be paid $949 next season and will count $508K in dead money if cut. Our take: Cheap depth at linebacker? Count us in. Stay

Eric Kendricks: Coming off an All-Pro season in 2019, Kendricks registered 107 tackles, four tackles for loss and a career-high three interceptions in 11 games, missing the final five due to injury. Salary situation: Kendricks has three years remaining on his deal, with $12.5 million due next season. Our take: The best player on the defense will, of course, be back. Stay

Blake Lynch: In four games, the undrafted rookie registered 12 tackles and one PD. His one start of the season happened to be against New Orleans, the same game in which Saints running back Alvin Kamara tied an NFL record with six rushing touchdowns. Salary situation: Two years left on his contract. He’s owed $780K next season but accounts for $0 in dead money if cut. Our take: There are other undrafted linebackers out there. Go

Hardy Nickerson: Nickerson did most of his work in 2020 on special teams, but he did appear on defense in five games. Nickerson posted 14 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception. Salary situation: Unrestricted free agent. Our take: Nickerson made a couple of explosive plays with his time on the field, but was it enough to keep the Vikings interested? Go

Cameron Smith: Smith had open-heart surgery before the season and, understandably, did not play. Salary situation: Two years left on his deal. Our take: Smith was a special-teams contributor in 2019. Let’s see him healthy again this fall. Stay

Eric Wilson: After the injuries to Barr and Kendricks, Wilson stepped up played in all 16 games and tallied 122 tackles, eight PD and three interceptions for the Vikings. Salary situation: Unrestricted free agent. Our take: Wilson will likely be targeting a free-agent destination where he can get starting LB money. That won’t be in Minnesota. Go