The Vikings Have 4 New Players from Free Agency
The Minnesota Vikings said goodbye this week to Cameron Dantzler (CB, Commanders), Eric Kendricks (LB, Chargers), Patrick Peterson (CB, Steelers), Adam Thielen (WR, TBD), and Dalvin Tomlinson (DT, Browns).
They’re not coming back anytime soon, so fresh new Vikings faces were onboarded during the opening week of free agency.
The Vikings Have 4 New Players from Free Agency
As of Saturday evening, the Vikings rank dead last in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. If they wish to welcome more players, cap-clearing measures, such as trade, releases, or contract restructures, are necessary.
Meanwhile, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed four new players and these are those men.
1. Marcus Davenport (OLB)
Previous Team: New Orleans Saints
When Drafted: 1st Round | 2018 NFL Draft
College: University of Texas – San Antonio
2023 Roster Projection: Starting OLB
New Contract: 1 Year | $13 million
PFF History:
2018 = 71.8
2019 = 84.1
2020 = 73.3
2021 = 88.8
2022 = 76.8
Assuming Za’Darius Smith follows through on his “goodbye” to Vikings fans on social media, Davenport is the new Za’Darius. Davenport joins Danielle Hunter for the Vikings updated “EDGE Department” in 2023, a duo featuring quite a few men since Everson Griffen initially departed the franchise after the 2019 season.
Davenport was considered the top EDGE rusher on the market when free agency kicked off, per PFF. Minnesota somehow swiped him off the free-agent wire. Few saw it coming.
2. Dean Lowry (DT)
Previous Team: Green Bay Packers
When Drafted: 4th Round | 2016 NFL Draft
College: Northwestern
2023 Roster Projection: Likely Starting DT
New Contract: 2 Years | $8.5 million
PFF History:
- 2016 = 69.2
- 2017 = 68.7
- 2018 = 72.6
- 2019 = 62.3
- 2020 = 57.3
- 2021 = 67.0
- 2022 = 59.3
A story that never gets old, a Packer turncoat. Lowry is on tap to replace Jonathan Bullard in 2023, so long as the Vikings don’t draft Jalen Carter (Georgia) or Bryan Bresee (Clemson) in six weeks.
The former NFC North rival is a sturdy football player — never elite but not a big question mark. He should fit nicely with Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Harrison Phillips, and Khyiris Tonga in the defensive trenches.
3. Byron Murphy (CB)
Previous Team: Arizona Cardinals
When Drafted: 2nd Round | 2019 NFL Draft
College: Washington
2023 Roster Projection: Starting CB
New Contract: 2 Years | $17.5 million
PFF History:
- 2019 = 48.3
- 2020 = 64.7
- 2021 = 59.7
- 2022 = 66.7
Most Vikings fans believed Cameron Sutton would be the move here because of his ties to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but no cigar. Instead, the Vikings decided to onboard a scrappy-as-hell cornerback who doesn’t shy away from the opposing team’s WR1.
Murphy’s deal is basically a one-year agreement that can easily elongate if 2023 is a worthwhile experience for both parties.
4. Josh Oliver (TE)
Previous Team: Baltimore Ravens
When Drafted: 3rd Round | 2019 NFL Draft
College: San Jose State
2023 Roster Projection: TE2 behind T.J. Hockenson
New Contract: 3 Years | $21 million
PFF History:
- 2019 = 42.9
- 2020 = DNP
- 2021 = 51.3
- 2022 = 71.5
A tight end wasn’t a vivid roster need for the 2023 Vikings, but the offensive coaching staff desired a better blocking TE. They got it with Oliver. He’s a talent that fans will say in March, “Why did they sign that guy? We have Hockenson.” And then they’ll thoroughly enjoy his performance in six months when the rubber hits the road.
The Vikings haven’t employed a true-blue blocking tight end since Jim Kleinsasser.
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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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