Ngakoue Trade Could Continue Vikings Recent Edge Rushing Success

[Viktor]

Ngakoue's arrival will impact the defensive line and could also help an unproven but talented cornerbacks group that has nine total NFL starts and no player over the age of 23.


The ability for Hunter, Ngakoue, Odenigbo and others to get constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks means that Minnesota's secondary doesn't have to cover for as long.


"We've been looking for another pass rusher for quite a while," Zimmer said. "I think that's important when you have a young secondary as well … I think that adds to what we can do."


Patterson and Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones were more expansive in how pressuring the quarterbacks helps the rest of the defense, especially the cornerbacks.


"Oh it's big-time. If you can get the quarterback off the spot, it helps the secondary out so much," Patterson said. "If the quarterback is throwing the ball too short or too far, you speed up his rhythm, and he's got to get the ball out of his hands before the receivers have a chance to break off their routes. It helps tremendously. That's why I've said forever, it's more important to get pressure on the quarterback than sack the quarterback. Don't get me wrong, the players love to sack the quarterback. Sacking the quarterback is what gets them paid — I get it.


"But I've had a ton of games in my career where we've sacked the quarterback six times and he's thrown for 400 yards and we lost the game. I've had games where we've had two sacks, he's thrown for 200 yards and we beat them soundly — because we had a lot of pressure in the game and the quarterback was uncomfortable. Pressure leads to winning games, defensively, way more than sacking the quarterback does," Patterson continued. "I spend a great deal of time with our guys on us having quality rushes. That's what I grade them on. A guy can have a three-sack game and the whole world says he played great, but of those 30 rushes he had, those were the only three quality rushes he had. Well, he played terrible for me, because it's about quality rushes that make the quarterback feel uncomfortable, because that computes to winning football games."


Added Jones: "Any time you have the ability to affect the passing game … that definitely has a trickle down effect [on] the secondary. So we're all excited as an organization to have that addition. We're looking forward to him joining us. So I know the guys on the back end, we're all excited."


The Vikings experienced turnover at defensive end this offseason, with Griffen now in Dallas and Stephen Weatherly joining Carolina.


But the Vikings landed a highly touted pass rusher on Monday and will pair the 25-year-old with two-time Pro Bowler Hunter, who won't turn 26 until October.