In the 2024 NFL free agency period, the Minnesota Vikings made a shrewd move to bolster their defense, reuniting edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel with defensive coordinator Brian Flores. A fifth-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2019 during Flores’s first year as their head coach, Van Ginkel started 25 games over Flores’s final two seasons with the franchise. However, it was his move to Minnesota in 2024 that unlocked his full potential, turning him into one of the league’s most versatile and underappreciated defensive weapons.
Last season, Van Ginkel delivered a breakout performance, recording a career-high 11.5 sacks and an impressive 18 tackles for loss, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. His two-year, $20 million contract signed in the 2024 offseason proved to be a bargain for the Vikings, who recognized his value and rewarded him with a one-year, $23 million extension in late April. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Van Ginkel ranked among the top-35 edge rushers in overall defensive grade, with an exceptional 81.0 coverage grade—sixth-best at his position. His ability to impact games in multiple facets was on full display, including two interception returns for touchdowns, with a standout pick-six against Aaron Rodgers in London showcasing his instincts and athleticism.
PFF’s recent ranking of the top-32 edge rushers entering the 2025 season placed Van Ginkel at No. 17, just behind teammate Jonathan Greenard at No. 15. However, writer Ryan Smith argued that Van Ginkel’s unique skill set warrants a much higher ranking. “Van Ginkel reunited with former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores in Minnesota and delivered the most productive season of his career, recording 50 pressures for the second straight year and a career-high 11.5 sacks,” Smith wrote. “His pass-rushing numbers could have been even higher if not for his frequent coverage responsibilities—he dropped into coverage 212 times in 2024, by far the most among edge defenders. Still, with three pick-sixes over the past two seasons, it’s a skill set the Vikings are wise to utilize.”
Van Ginkel’s ability to excel in coverage while maintaining elite pass-rushing production sets him apart. Most starting off-the-ball linebackers don’t drop into coverage as often as Van Ginkel did last season, yet he managed to do so as an edge rusher while still tallying double-digit sacks. This versatility is a perfect fit for Flores’s aggressive and unpredictable defensive scheme, which demands players who can seamlessly handle multiple roles. Van Ginkel embodies this philosophy, functioning as both a top-tier edge rusher and a highly effective coverage linebacker.
With three pick-sixes over the past two seasons and a rare combination of pass-rushing prowess and coverage skills, Van Ginkel is quietly rewriting the expectations for what an edge rusher can be. While he may not yet have the name recognition of some of the NFL’s elite, his impact on the field is undeniable. For the Vikings, Andrew Van Ginkel is not just a defensive cornerstone—he’s the NFL’s best-kept secret, tearing apart the edge rusher rulebook in silence.
