Free Agent Carl Lawson Would Make a Massive Difference in Minnesota

K. Joudry   |  

Mar 12, 2021

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Carl Lawson should intrigue the Minnesota Vikings. Last season, Lawson had 5.5 sacks for the Bengals, a relatively modest number (I hasten to add that it’s a total that still would have led our team). However, Lawson hit the QB 32 times, good for an average of twice a game. Folks, pressure is about more than sacks (head over to Blitzology to learn more about this). If the price is right, the Vikings should be supremely interested in adding Carl Lawson in free agency.

Carl Lawson, Free Agency, and Improving the D-Line

Rick Spielman has had some success signing free agents after their rookie deal. Linval Joseph was a solid player for the Giants during his rookie deal. After his rookie contract ended, Minnesota snagged him on a multi-year deal that averaged $6.25 million per season (God bless you, Over the Cap). Joseph went on to become one of the preeminent 1-techniques in the NFL.

Lawson finds himself in a similar scenario. He has just finished his rookie deal with the team who drafted him, establishing himself as a really good player. In four seasons, Lawson accumulated twenty sacks and eighty-three QB hits. Spotrac estimates that his next deal will be for an average of $8.8 million per season.

Recently, The Athletic offered a story about Lawson, complete with a long interview with the defensive end. The Bengals are the front-runners: “Of course the Bengals are the front-runner; we just haven’t gotten to any of the negotiations and stuff yet.” Lawson is quick to add, though, that he knows there “is a lot of interest out there.” Indeed, there certainly is, and Minnesota should be among the teams interested: “Of course, I’m comfortable where I’m at. But it doesn’t make sense to not listen to what people have to say, but if there are better options for me and my family, then people will understand that.”

Adding Lawson into the mix would provide Minnesota with a fearsome pass rush. Danielle Hunter and Stephen Weatherly are a relatively strong pair of defensive ends. Adding Lawson — and potentially keeping Ifeadi Odenigbo — would really put the d-line into another category (especially if they snag Shelby Harris!).

Last season, Carl Lawson had a borderline elite 84.9 pass rush score on PFF. His overall 76.3 score was 14th overall, tied with Green Bay’s Za’Darius Smith. In his recent free agency rankings, Sheil Kapadia listed Lawson as his 16th-best option in free agency. Kapadia notes that Lawson’s thirty-two QB hits were second only to T.J. Watt last season, and his eighty-three QB hits over the past four seasons are eleventh in the NFL.

Conclusion

As he enters free agency, Carl Lawson admits that money is important to him, which makes complete sense. He has finished his rookie deal and established himself as one of the preeminent young defensive ends in the NFL; he should snag a contract that completely changes his family’s life. Lawson is quick to add, though, that money isn’t the only factor, and that he has the desire “to be an elite player.”

Andre Patterson — the D-Line Whisperer — is the one who can turn good players into great players. After a few seasons in Minnesota, Joseph signed a big extension with the Vikings, one that raised his relatively modest per year salary by a considerable amount. Perhaps Lawson would have a similar experience in Minnesota. If they can snag Lawson for a multi-year contract that lands somewhere around $8-$10 million per season, the Vikings should be thrilled.

This article originally appeared on one of our partner sites: VikingsGazette.com. Check out The Vikings Gazette and follow them on Twitter and on Facebook for more exclusive Minnesota Vikings content and analysis!