This Pro Bowl Pass Rusher Could Play for the Vikings in 2022
Dustin Baker
|
If the Minnesota Vikings swing and miss on the free-agent candidacy of Za’Darius Smith — which was rumored last week — new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might have his sights set on another proven quarterback hunter.
That’s Jadeveon Clowney, the 1st overall pick from the 2014 NFL Draft. According to OddsChecker, Clowney has unusually bankable odds to join the Vikings.
During free agency, +300 odds of a player joining a team isn’t that much of a longshot. And this one seemingly fell out of nowhere. Another credible Vikings source confirmed the possibility of Clowney to the Vikings.
Clowney, who just turned 29, has played for four NFL teams in his career — the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Cleveland Browns.
Perhaps that will change if the Vegas probabilities come to fruition.
Clowney has played for four franchises in the last four seasons, as well, and his trajectory is trending toward five teams in five seasons if he doesn’t rejoin the Browns.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Clowney has played one season sans injury, 2017 with the Texans. He’s never tabulated double-digit sacks in a single season, reaching the nine-sack mark in three seasons (2017, 2018, 2021).
Here’s Clowney’s resume from Pro Football Focus:
- 2014 = 59.4
- 2015 = 75.2
- 2016 = 75.6
- 2017 = 75.4
- 2018 = 88.8
- 2019 = 87.3
- 2020 = 74.9
- 2021 = 66.5
Clowney became a mini-household-name in 2013 because of this hit at South Carolina:
Signing Clowney would pair the 29-year-old with Danielle Hunter, 27, for a fearsome twosome. As it stands, the Vikings would employ Hunter on the edges of its defensive line with D.J. Wonnum, Anthony Barr (if he doesn’t leave via free agency), or an unnamed rookie from the 2022 NFL Draft.
If Clowney could remain healthy for the Vikings, the tandem of Hunter and Clowney could be spectacular as both men have a documented track record of bothering quarterbacks. Because of his “big name” and 1st-overall-pick lore, Clowney would sell a lot of purple jerseys, too.
Clowney should be available in the price range of $10-$15 million per season.
Should the Vikings fail to land Clowney, the aforementioned Za’Darius Smith, Melvin Ingram, Ryan Kerrigan, and other pass rushers are available on the open market.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. 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).
Vikings Territory: Vikings Named a Landing Spot for Multiple Free Agents
You must be logged in to post a comment.