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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tyler Forness

Khyiris Tonga named Minnesota Vikings breakout candidate

If the Minnesota Vikings are going to improve on their 13-4 season, they will need young players to step up. The defense especially needs that after finishing 31st in the NFL last season.

Zoltan Buday of Pro Football Focus identified a breakout candidate from each team and believes the Vikings’ candidate will be defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga.

The Vikings brought the third-year defensive lineman back on a team-friendly one-year deal, but he is expected to play a big role on the Minnesota defense as a starting interior defender.

While he only played 300 snaps for the Vikings in 2022, he carved out a role as their top interior run defender. His 73.3 run-defense grade ranked 16th among interior defenders, and the former seventh-round pick can take another leap in his first full season as a starter in 2023.

Not only was Tonga good against the run, but he also excelled as a pass rusher. He finished 35th among defensive lineman in pass rush grade and excelled for a nose tackle.

With Tonga being a nose tackle, these are good numbers and they have a potential gem in Tonga.

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