ESPN Taps New Vikings Player as a Top Value Signing in Free Agency
The NFL is through two full weeks of free agency, and the Minnesota Vikings have made a handful of moves on the open market to improve the depth chart.
Among them is Jordan Hicks, a linebacker added from the Arizona Cardinals, presumably to pair with Eric Kendricks in the middle of Ed Donatell’s new 3-4 Minnesota defense.
Hicks signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings, possibly replacing Anthony Barr, who is a free agent and played in Minnesota for eight seasons. Hicks, 26, tallied 116 combined tackles, five quarterback hits, four sacks, and two forced fumbles last season. In some circles, he was even called “the heart” of Arizona’s defense.
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The Vikings also notably signed Harrison Phillips (DT), Za’Darius Smith (EDGE), and Chandon Sullivan (CB). But of all the free-agent signings to date in Minnesota, ESPN is most impressed with Hicks, in terms of value — an adjective used ad nauseam by new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
In an article about most improved teams, best value signings, etc., Hicks was mentioned among “bargain bin” additions with players like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Roger Saffold. On Hicks’ addition to the Vikings, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote:
“LB Jordan Hicks to the Vikings. Changing defensive schemes can be expensive and inefficient, but the Vikings did well to sign Hicks as a second inside linebacker alongside Eric Kendricks in their new 3-4. Hicks didn’t miss a start in three seasons with the Cardinals, is an established leader and arrives with a salary cap number of $3.5 million this season and $6.5 million in 2023.”
– Kevin Seifert | ESPN
With the Cardinals in 2021 — a topsy-turvy season for the club — Hicks played 97% of all defensive snaps. He was added by Adofo-Mensah with purpose, not missing a football game since the 2018 season when he played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
While Za’Darius Smith puts more rumps in seats because of his marquee-name drawing power and All-Pro resume, Hicks doesn’t drag along question marks to this Vikings chapter. If history is a reasonable indicator, Hicks should remain healthy and play — a lot.
The Vikings desperately need a revolution on defense, setting dubious NFL records in 2021 for most points surrendered in the final two minutes of halves. From 2014 to 2019, Minnesota’s defense was feared and a staple of Sundays. But in 2020 and 2021, the unit cliff dove, ranking fourth-worst in the NFL for yards allowed to opponents in the two seasons cumulatively.
Hicks will get a crack at his old team in 2022 as the Cardinals travel to U.S. Bank Stadium for an NFC showdown. The date will be released in May.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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