Vikings Linked to Free Agent Defender
He was on some fans’ free-agent radar four months ago and is still available in July.
Vikings Linked to Free Agent Defender
That’s EDGE defender Emmanuel Ogbah, and Bleacher Report claimed this week he could be a fit for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.
Minnesota has about $26 million in cap space as of July 4th before signing rookies J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, more than enough to explore summer free agents if interested. BR’s Kristopher Knox published an article about 10 bargain-bin free agents, and with Ogbah’s inclusion, he could evidently end up with the Vikings.
“This past season, Ogbah recorded 5.5 sacks and 15 quarterback pressures while playing only 25 percent of the defensive snaps in Miami. His ability to make an impact in a limited role should make the 30-year-old a valuable late addition. At the same time, Ogbah’s age and role-player status should also make him a budget-friendly option,” Knox wrote.
The Vikings have plenty of EDGE rushers — more depth than usual — at the moment, but adding Ogbah wouldn’t really hurt anything.
“The Minnesota Vikings could also consider Ogbah after reloading their pass-rushing rotation this offseason. They lost Danielle Hunter but added Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jihad Ward and rookie Dallas Turner,” Knox continued. “Ogbah would be a bit of a luxury addition for Minnesota, but it’s worth noting his connection with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Flores was Miami’s head coach during Ogbah’s two nine-sack campaigns in 2020 and 2021.”
These are the Vikings outside linebackers on the current depth chart:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Dallas Turner
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Patrick Jones II
- Jihad Ward
- Andre Carter II
- Gabriel Murphy
- Owen Porter
- Bo Richter
Without Ogbah, one or two of those men are already awkwardly on the roster bubble. The working theory, apparently, would be that Ogbah could nudge someone like Jones II out of the way for a roster spot.
This is Ogbah’s Pro Football Focus body of work since joining the league in 2016:
2023: 57.2
2022: 52.1
2021: 77.0
2020: 66.4
2019: 70.1
2018: 57.7
2017: 64.0
2016: 59.0
It’s worth noting that some of Ogbah’s best work occurred when employed by Brian Flores in Miami. Of course, that was 3-4 years ago, but the connection is palpable. Ogbah also won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, the first title under Patrick Mahomes that kickstarted the current dynasty.
At this stage of the summer, Ogbah could be gettable for cheap if the Vikings are interested.
He’ll turn 31 in November.
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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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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