Vikings Quietly Add Veteran Defender
In the days after last week’s draft, Jauan Jennings, the departed 49ers receiver, dominated the Vikings news, as he traveled to the Twin Cities to visit the purple squad. The WR3 position remains a need for the club following Jalen Nailor’s exit in March and the inactivity in the draft.
While he might join later, Minnesota quietly added a veteran defender to the mix on Wednesday. Former Colts and Patriots lineman Eric Johnson II was signed. He’ll enter a position room that saw an influx of talent during the draft. Free agency is now an intriguing path to filling the roster, as the newcomers no longer affect compensatory picks following a deadline earlier this week.
Johnson has already gained some experience in the NFL, appearing in 51 games over four seasons. He entered the league as a 2022 fifth-rounder of the Colts. The Missouri State product has 41 tackles and 1 sack on his NFL resume.
The defender appeared in 14 games as a rookie, followed by another 14-game campaign in 2023. He was released ahead of the 2024 season and joined the New England Patriots, appearing in 11 contests. Last year, he returned to Indianapolis and suited up 12 times in his fourth NFL year.
His most notable Vikings performance came in 2022 when he played 16 defensive snaps versus the purple squad in a game the Colts led by 33 points at halftime. Of course, the Vikings ultimately pulled off the stunning, record-breaking comeback to secure the NFC North title.
Rather than a needle-mover like Jennings would be in the receiving room, Johnson is a depth player who will compete for a roster spot in the summer. He can primarily contribute to the running defense, rather than threaten the passer on his dropbacks.
The Vikings picked up a pair of promising defensive tackles in the draft, including first-rounder Caleb Banks and third-rounder Domonique Orange. They are both expected to see the field sooner rather than later. Orange is a run-stuffing nose tackle, while Banks offers some more upside as a defensive end who can get after the quarterback in addition to stopping the run.
Furthermore, the franchise employs Jalen Redmond, who played at a Pro Bowl level throughout the 2025 campaign, and 2024 and 2025 draftees Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. Those five players should be considered likely to be on the team come Week 1 to form the primary rotation on Brian Flores’ defensive front.
Additionally, the Vikings have some depth players under contract who have contributed in recent years, including past UDFAs Elijah Williams and Taki Taimani.
Suddenly, the defensive line is a crowded group in Minnesota, just a week after having an alarmingly thin depth chart.
Johnson is 27 years old and will have to show some promise in training camp.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.