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Ranking the Room: NFC North Interior DL

By Parker Hurley

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 12: Akiem Hicks
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 12: Akiem Hicks /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Linval Joseph #98 of the Minnesota Vikings walks of the field after losing in the NFC Championship game to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 38-7. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Linval Joseph #98 of the Minnesota Vikings walks of the field after losing in the NFC Championship game to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 38-7. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3. Minnesota Vikings: Linval Joseph, Sheldon Richardson, Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes

The Minnesota Vikings are expected to be vicious on the interior in 2018. Linval Joseph clogs the middle as arguably the top nose tackle in the NFL. He does a great job at forcing tackles for loss and getting into the backfield. He does not put up huge sack numbers, but his disruption in the backfield is overwhelming.

Sheldon Richardson is coming off of some of the more poor seasons of his career. A former potential All-Pro player has been miscast and misused at times. Add in some off of the field issues and you have a player clinging to a potential last chance. Richardson has the talent to make the Joseph-Richardson duo elite. However, it has yet to show. He will be in a new role, and while it should only suit his skill set more, it will come with some bumps along the road.

Jaleel Johnson was a rookie last season. While he showed a lot of promise and could be a breakout candidate in 2018, he still only showed off in five games last season. There is still some projection to be had with his talent. Lastly is Jalyn Holmes. Holmes is a bit undersized for the interior, but projects to be a nickel interior rusher. In that specific role, he should be extremely effective. Especially considering the group that is around him.

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