3 Edge Rushers Who Can Still Help The Vikings
K. Joudry
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The Vikings need to bring in edge rushers.
Doing anything less than reloading at perhaps the most important position on defense would be foolhardy. It is, after all, a passing league, so bringing in players who can stop the opposition’s passing attack is of the utmost importance.
As of this moment, the Vikings have only added Harrison Phillips. He is being brought to town to stifle the opposition’s run game, not their passing game. In other words, there’s still a fair bit of work that needs to be done. Some of that work will likely be accomplished through the draft, but we should also be hoping for a player or two in free agency.
Take a peak at these 3 names to monitor.
Lorenzo Carter
Carter offers a lot of upside. He is long and strong. He’s only 25, and he’ll likely be had for reasonably cheap. We covered his potential fit before free agency began. PFF offers some praise: “Carter has the athleticism and length to drop into coverage and affect passing windows. He’s also been a solid run defender for the position so far in his NFL career, but he has yet to shine in the department where edge rushers make their money – getting after the quarterback.”
Za’Darius Smith
In many ways, this is the dream signing. Vikings fans saw him wreak havoc for a couple seasons in Green Bay, giving Minnesota’s overmatched OL a tough time. Take a look at how PFF describes his future role: “Smith is an edge rusher in any scheme and has been at his best as a stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 look where he can move around the formation and find weaknesses to exploit in his rushes. He has the size, strength and athleticism to win as a rusher from any alignment.”
Arden Key
According to the folks at PFF, Key could find a role as a rotational pass rusher: “Key has never been a great run defender, but his breakout 2021 season showed that he has a role rushing the passer from multiple alignments.” That’s a good thing; the Vikings happen to need a rotational pass rusher. He isn’t yet 26 and he had a strong year for the 49ers last season. Their estimate is that he’ll make more than $6 million a year, but projections are commonly off. One wonders if the Vikings could get him for cheaper.
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