Vikings Tender Restricted Free Agent Fullback Zach Line
Adam Warwas
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Fullback Zach Line won’t ever get the blockbuster deal that dominates headlines during the NFL’s free agency news cycle, but you can’t hold positional value against him too much.
In an age where the fullback position is listed as an endangered species (or should be) in the NFL, Line has proven plenty capable of being one of the best among the guys still talented enough to be employed. Line might have a limited role within the Vikings offense, but he plays that role well, and we listed him as our second most important free agent the Vikings have this offseason.
Line is a restricted free agent and the Vikings have opted to place a tender on him, according to a press release from the Minnesota Vikings, giving the team the right to first refusal should he sign an offer sheet with another team.
Until Line signs an offer sheet, with the Vikings or with someone else, his 2016 contract details are not known. It would not be inconceivable that the Vikings use the leverage provided by the tender to lock up Line for multiple years.
For now, it seems relatively certain that Line will be back in his same role on offense and special teams in 2016, but the nature of the fullback position is such that he’ll have to compete for a job in Mankato just like a vast majority of the players that get invited there.
Line played in all 16 regular season games last season. He rushed the ball six times for three first down and two touchdowns. He also caught six of his nine targets in the passing game, converting for 95 yards and a touchdown.
The importance of his return is magnified by the unknown status of blocking tight end Rhett Ellison who is both a free agent and facing a difficult rehabilitation after a late-season injury.
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