Vikings PFF grades: Where does the defense rank after the regular season

The Minnesota Vikings finished the regular season with a 13-4 record but aren’t getting much respect across the league. One place where they do get respect is in the PFF grades.

Throughout the season, we have tracked how the Vikings have been ranked in terms of PFF grades and they have consistently ranked well per position.

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As the regular season has just wrapped up, we reviewed the offense and here is how the defense finished at each position.

NT Khyiris Tonga

Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA;Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (95) against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 77.9 (13th/141)
Pass Rush: 69.6 (32nd/141)
Run Stop: 73.4 (15th/141)
Pressures: 10 (82nd/141)

NT Harrison Phillips

Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) reacts after making a tackle against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 72.1 (27th/141)
Pass Rush: 59.9 (73nd/141)
Run Stop: 73.6 (12th/141)
Pressures: 23 (44th/141)

DE Dalvin Tomlinson

Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during the NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 77.1 (16th/141)
Pass Rush: 79.1 (11th/141)
Run Stop: 63.8 (38th/141)
Pressures: 29 (37th/141)

DE James Lynch

Nov 14, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle James Lynch (92) tackles Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) after short gain during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 65.0 (48th/141)
Pass Rush: 69.6 (122nd/141)
Run Stop: 73.3 (16th/141)
Pressures: 3 (129th/141)

OLB Za'Darius Smith

Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za’Darius Smith (55) pressures Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 82.2 (19th/130)
Pass Rush: 84.7 (9th/130)
Run Stop: 70.0 (33rd/130)
Pressures: 78 (4th/130)

OLB Danielle Hunter

Dec 11, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift (32) runs with the ball and tries to avoid a tackle from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 86.9 (9th/130)
Pass Rush: 78.3 (19th/130)
Run Stop: 73.7 (22nd/130)
Pressures: 70 (5th/130)

ILB Eric Kendricks

Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Kris Boyd (29) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) celebrate with linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) for recovering a fumble for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 61.1 (54th/92)
Pass Rush: 61.0 (66th/92)
Run Stop: 81.1 (10th/92)
Coverage: 46.4 (77th/92)

ILB Jordan Hicks

Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 65.4 (40th/92)
Pass Rush: 72.1 (20th/92)
Run Stop: 79.8 (13th/92)
Coverage: 50.4 (70th/92)

CB Patrick Peterson

Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) celebrates after defeating the Indianapolis Colts 39-36 in overtime at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 80.7 (9th/134)
Pass Rush: 57.2 (67th/102)
Run Stop: 66.9 (48th/134)
Coverage: 82.5 (4th/134)

CB Cameron Dantzler

Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr. (3) celebrates a play against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 64.7 (61st/134)
Pass Rush: N/A
Run Stop: 55.6 (89th/134)
Coverage: 66.5 (51st/134)

CB Duke Shelley

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Duke Shelley (20) signals an incompletion after breaking up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) on Sunday, January 1, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApj Packers Vs Vikings 010123 267 Ttm

Overall: 81.5 (7th/134)
Pass Rush: N/A
Run Stop: 54.8 (91st/134)
Coverage: 84.9 (3rd/134)

S Harrison Smith

Nov 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) looks on prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 69.1 (37th/96)
Pass Rush: 56.0 (66th/96)
Run Stop: 64.8 (48th/96)
Coverage: 69.5 (34th/96)

S Camryn Bynum

Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) reacts after the game against the New York Jets at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Overall: 58.2 (73rd/96)
Pass Rush: 58.0 (62nd/96)
Run Stop: 74.4 (26th/96)
Coverage: 50.2 (86th/96)