Fourth-year defensive end Stephen Weatherly proved himself to Vikings coaches last season, which is expected to lead to more playing time in 2019.
Weatherly, the former seventh-round pick from Vanderbilt, was disruptive and well-rounded during five starts — the first of his career — while the Vikings were without Everson Griffen in September and October. His eight run stops tied Texans star J.J. Watt and trailed only seven other NFL edge defenders in that span. Weatherly’s 14 quarterback pressures (three sacks) put him in the league’s top 30, according to Pro Football Focus.
“He made a lot of plays,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said.