This offseason the Minnesota Vikings saw a significant amount of roster turnover. Most notably Kirk Cousins took his talents to Atlanta. Danielle Hunter also went south and landed with the Houston Texans. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was tasked with filling some sizable holes, and it’s hard to argue against him having come through.

Sam Darnold has been a capable quarterback thus far. Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard have done well to make Hunter’s absence look negligible. Really, Minnesota is no worse for the wear after needing to dip their toes into free agency. Another player has been everything he was hyped up to be.

Stephon Gilmore has led the Minnesota Vikings secondary

Back when the Minnesota Vikings were flirting with Stephon Gilmore this offseason, the excitement stemmed from the belief that he could fix the secondary. It took some time for the deal to actually happen, but he has been great in purple. The Los Angeles Rams game notwithstanding, Gilmore has been everything he was cracked up to be. ESPN’s Aaron Schatz highlighted just how good that signing has been.

“Gilmore has started all seven games and played 86% of the snaps for the Minnesota defense, which leads the league in my DVOA ratings. The raw coverage stats are pretty average for Gilmore, who has one interception this season. He has allowed a lot of shorter completions and finally gave up his first touchdown against the Rams in Week 8, a 7-yard score for Cooper Kupp. However, Gilmore’s coverage DVOA is near the top of the league because of adjustments for who he has had to cover… The Vikings are glad to have Gilmore, who is a key player on their elite defense, to cover some of the best receivers in the game.”

Aaron Schatz on Stephon Gilmore (ESPN)

In noting how good Gilmore has been, Schatz lists the wide receivers he has had to guard through the first seven games of the season. Malik Nabers out of the gate wasn’t easy, and adding names like Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Garret Wilson, Puka Nacua, and Cooper Kupp to his workload has kept him on his toes.

On Sunday Gilmore will get another chance to buckle down. He gets a bit softer landing spot as Joe Flacco will start for the Indianapolis Colts. Josh Downs and Michael Pitman Jr. are not the same caliber of players that Gilmore has seen of late, and that should allow for him to shine.

Despite having performed well thus far though, it will always remain a week-by-week thing with Gilmore. He’s 34 years old, and the point in which his body doesn’t allow him to maintain this level may take place at any moment.

Danielle Hunter enjoying life after Vikings

Although it was Cousins who got the substantial payday, Hunter did well for himself too. The quarterback has rebounded after a slow start, but Hunter picked up right where he left off in Minnesota. With 5.5 sacks to his credit already, another double-digit season is within reach. That hasn’t gone unnoticed either.

“Houston ranks second in pass rush win rate (51.6%) and third in the NFL with 27 sacks. It also has the league’s fourth-best defensive DVOA when the defense brings pressure on the quarterback. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Hunter leads the NFL in pass pressures at 51, seven more than any other defender. He also has 5.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.”

Schatz on Danielle Hunter (ESPN)

It’s tough to compete as an edge rusher when you don’t have a teammate worthy of attention themselves. That makes what Hunter did last season that much more impressive given the non-existence of Marcus Davenport. He has provided that same benefit to new teammate Will Anderson Jr. as well.

It wasn’t as thought the Vikings weren’t interested in Hunter’s services. He had an injury history though, is aging, and was going to command a premium payday. With the way it worked out, it has been a win for both parties.