The Vikings' pass defense was abysmal in 2022. Only the Tennessee Titans allowed more passing yards per game than Minnesota did. 

In response, the team essentially wiped the slate clean in the secondary. Patrick Peterson, Kris Boyd, Duke Shelley, Cameron Dantzler, and Chandon Sullivan all being shown the door. 

One member of the secondary, however, received more play as the season progressed and could be a key factor for the unit in 2023.

The Athletic NFL staff recently picked one breakout candidate for each NFL team. 

Vikings' writer Alec Lewis selected defensive back Josh Metellus as a breakout candidate in Minnesota. Metellus was drafted in the sixth round back in 2020 and has stuck around as a quality special-teamer. 

However, Metellus received more playing time on defense in 2022 and performed admirably. The former Wolverine earned a stellar 85.1 PFF grade. Regarding Metellus, Lewis offered the following analysis:

The Vikings have a potential Hall of Fame safety in Harrison Smith. They also selected safety Lewis Cine in the first round of the 2022 draft. So, where does Metellus fit in? If this spring was any indication, the short answer is everywhere. Think broadly about past New England Patriots defenses and how Bill Belichick — and disciple Brian Flores — used defensive backs. Patrick Chung played a quasi-linebacker spot. He blitzed when needed. He manned the middle of the field. He played pivotal roles in the team’s dime packages. Metellus seems destined for that role in Flores’ Vikings defense. He has the size at 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds. He also has the acumen, having been awarded team captain honors late last season. Expect Metellus to play often and occupy a pivotal position in the new-look defense. 

Lewis mentions an interesting tidbit about Metellus' role changing with the addition of Brian Flores. Metellus could play a Patrick Chung/Eric Rowe-type role for the Vikings, lining up in the nickel or manning the middle of the field. 

It seems that Metellus will be deployed as a versatile weapon in 2023 and the defensive back has already earned rave reviews this offseason. Flores loves to use multiple safeties, so it's likely that Metellus is on the field at the same time as Harrison Smith and Lewis Cine or Camryn Bynum.

Metellus could also help spell Byron Murphy at the nickel position. As one of the longest-tenured defensive backs on the roster, Metellus is a valuable weapon and could thrive in his largest role yet. 

Featured image via © Jayne Kamin-Oncea | 2021 Nov 14