Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter is not putting pressure on quarterbacks the way fans are used to seeing. Through five games he has just two sacks and only 10 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Despite missing all but seven games last season, Hunter had the 21st-rated pass rush grade among all edge rushers in the NFL. He had 31 pressures and finished the season with six sacks and five QB hits. He’s 49th among edge rushers in pass rush grade this season.
“I think it’s still worth saying that it’s been disappointing that Danielle Hunter has not fit in a little bit better with this system,” says Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller. “But we also have to remember that he only played seven games over the last two seasons. He missed most of last year with a torn pec and the year before he had the neck injury and was out.”
Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said a week ago that it takes time for players to adjust to a new system. Hunter had his hand in the ground as a defensive end under Mike Zimmer’s coaching, while Donatell’s 3-4 defense has Hunter standing up on the edge.
“There is a question of whether he will ever fit as well in this defense or if he has the same burst he had before,” Coller said. “I think the expectations for the beginning of the season for Hunter were a little bit higher, so you’d probably give him a C.”
Facing a third-string QB in Miami’s Skylar Thompson on Sunday could lead to a big day for Hunter, but that was also the narrative last week when Hunter had a chance against Justin Fields, whose sack rate is as high as any starting quarterback in the league.
