Free Agent DTs Vikings Can Target with Akiem Hicks off the Board
The Minnesota Vikings reportedly had talks with defensive lineman Akiem Hicks this offseason, but nothing materialized as the former Chicago Bears defender signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday.
Plenty of interior defensive linemen exist on the Vikings depth chart, namely Esezi Otomewo, Harrison Phillips, Dalvin Tomlinson, Jaylen Twyman, and Armon Watts. It is unclear if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is seeking more depth at the position.
If he is, these are four free-agent defensive tackles currently on the market [in alphabetical order].
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”1015774″ player=”26279″ title=”Public%20Opinion%20about%20the%20Vikings%20Is%20Changing.%20Here's%20Why.” duration=”925″ description=”Dustin Baker details the who and what of changing opinions about the Vikings — and the why.” uploaddate=”2022-05-19″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19437/snapshot/1015774_th_1652982062.jpg” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19437/sd/1015774.mp4″ width=”16″ height=”9″]
Maurice Hurst (49ers)
Perhaps the one name on the list folks aren’t familiar with, Hurst was a 5th-Round draft choice by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2018. In the last two seasons, like Vikings EDGE rusher Danielle Hunter, Hurst has battled injuries, dampening his free-agency pizazz.
When healthy, though, Hurst’s grades from Pro Football Focus routinely live in the 70-range. He attended the University of Michigan and registered 7.5 sacks during his first two seasons with the Raiders — before the injury bug hit.
Hurst likely wouldn’t start for the 2022 Vikings, but he’d provide reasonable depth. Too, a Hurst-to-Vikings agreement would be affordable.
Star Lotulelei (Bills)
A 1st-Round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Lotulelei hasn’t been too relevant since the 2019 season. Like Hurst, he hasn’t played much lately, opting out of the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic. And in 2021, Lotulelei played in 11 of 17 games, scoring a paltry 43.5 mark from PFF.
The Vikings wouldn’t need Lotulelei to start, but his veteran presence could be a diet consolation prize to missing out on Hicks. He’s started 115 games in his career with the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills, and before 2020, he was incredibly durable.
Lotulelei is 32 years old.
Sheldon Richardson (Vikings)
Richardson is familiar with the Vikings, and the Vikings are familiar with Richardson. On two separate occasions, in 2018 and 2021, he was added to the Vikings roster for one-year stints.
Due to lack of EDGE depth, former head coach Mike Zimmer even kicked Richardson out to the edges of the 2021 defensive line, where Richardson performed admirably. If Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer were still in charge, the probability of a Richardson reunion would be higher.
Alas, they are not, and Minnesota’s new regime would have to weigh the pros and cons of bringing Richardson back for another hurrah.
Ndamukong Suh (Buccaneers)
Suh hasn’t missed a football game in 10 years, and when he did in 2011, it was due to suspension, not injury.
He’s also a Super Bowl champion, winning a ring with the Buccaneers in 2020. But now, his old team opted for the services of Akiem Hicks, leaving Suh still available on the open market — arguably as the best interior lineman on the board.
Suh is 35 years old and is winding down a successful career. While it’s certainly debatable whether the Vikings are Super Bowl contenders, Suh will probably sign with a contender (if he doesn’t retire).
Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson believes Minnesota’s roster is “stacked,” so why not add Suh to the mix?
A Suh union would jettison Armon Watts to a reservist role.
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).
You must be logged in to post a comment.