A Vikings Dream Will Finally Come True
The Minnesota Vikings embark on free agency in 13 days, possessing over $60 million to spend on internal players and newcomers.
A Vikings Dream Will Finally Come True
The club ended 2024 with a 14-3 record, but the season, on the whole, was sullied by the franchise’s sorrowful postseason loss at the Los Angeles Rams. The 14 wins felt all for nil.
Now, thanks to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s comments on Tuesday at the NFL Combine, one longstanding Vikings dream will come true, assuming the young executive wasn’t exaggerating.
The Vikings will find an impact defensive tackle this offseason.
A DT Is on the Way, Kwesi Says
Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah spoke to the media on Tuesday, and among many topics, Adofo-Mensah addressed his team’s trenches.
“To play January football, there’s a certain way you’ve got to play. You’ve got to be able to control the ball, and be able to get after the passer with just four. We need to get better and will,” the Vikings boss told reporters.
Adofo-Mensah has led the organization for four offseasons as of 2025. This is the first time he’s blatantly acknowledged defensive tackle as a roster concern. Minnesota already has the defensive line’s edges squared away with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. The only place that needs a serious upgrade is the DT spot next to Harrison Phillips.
The spot was inhabited last year by Jerry Tillery, for the most part.
So, Vikings fans can assume that a DT better than Tillery should be on the way.
The Drought
The Vikings haven’t employed an impact three-technique defensive tackle since the end of the Kevin Williams era — or 12 consecutive seasons without one. And yes, this is the organization that once showcased John Randle.
These were the DTs utilized by Minnesota since Williams left for the Seattle Seahawks over a decade ago:
- Jerry Tillery
- Dean Lowry
- Jaquelin Roy
- Sharrif Floyd
- James Lynch
- Armon Watts
- Tom Johnson
- Jaleel Johnson
- Ross Blacklock
- Shamar Stephen
- Jonathan Bullard
- Sheldon Richardson
It’s time to improve.
The Candidates
From free agency, these defensive tackles will be available if their current teams do not re-sign them:
- Poona Ford
- Javon Hargrave
- B.J. Hill
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Levi Onwuzurike
- Jarran Reed
- Milton Williams
And from Round 1 or 2 of the draft:
- Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
- Derrick Harmon (Oregon)
- Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)
- Tyleik Williams (Ohio State)
- Deone Walker (Kentucky)
Overall, the Vikings’ front office seems to have heard your requests. DT is now a priority.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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