Minnesota Vikings

Danielle Hunter saw most playing time in preseason opener

Published Aug. 10, 2015 3:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

People who tuned in for the NFL's preseason opener between the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers saw plenty of No. 99 in purple. That player was Danielle Hunter, and he played a team-high 62 snaps on Sunday night, according to ESPN's Ben Goessling.

Danielle Hunter played a game-high 62 snaps for the #Vikings. Trae Waynes and Shamar Stephen were next at 54 apiece.
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingESPN) August 10, 2015

Hunter needed the extra snaps, since he's considered a raw athlete at the defensive end position. He's only 20 years old, but he carries his 6-foot-5, 252-pound frame with 4.57-second 40-yard dash speed.

Draft analyst Joe Marino wrote in a Tweet that Hunter looked "every bit as raw" against the Steelers as he did coming out of LSU.

Hunter could play a big role in the Vikings' defensive line rotation, if he can become a more refined pass-rusher. In the meantime, the coaching staff will continue working on this draft project.

(h/t @GoesslingESPN, @TheJoeMarino)

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt