The Vikings were lively within the first week of unfastened company. 2d-year common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed a host of gamers, some inside and a few exterior gamers. The primary one used to be a good finish, Josh Oliver, a shocking and arguable transfer, adopted through edge rusher Marcus Davenport, a transfer extra praised than criticized. Maximum lovers and pundits had been more than pleased with the addition of cornerback Byron Murphy.
Adofo-Mensah additionally retained most of the Vikings’ unfastened brokers, together with middle Garrett Bradbury, operating again Alexander Mattison, QB Nick Mullens, and kicker Greg Joseph. The Vikings added any other defender to the combo on Friday.
Vikings Signal Former Rival Defender
On the defensive take on place, the Vikings continued their worst loss in unfastened company. Davlin Tomlinson, one of the most highest Vikings’ defenders left the group to enroll in the Cleveland Browns and previous Vikings offensive coordinator and now head trainer, Kevin Stefanski. Tomlinson left a gaping hollow at the line of defense. Fellow defensive take on Jonathan Bullard may be a unfastened agent and the Vikings needed to give Brian Flores anyone to paintings with.
On Friday, Tom Pelissero tweeted: “The Vikings have agreed to phrases with former Packers DL Dean Lowry, in step with supply. Lowry began 80 video games over seven seasons in Inexperienced Bay and has 15.5 occupation sacks.”
Lowry used to be a fourth-round pick out in 2016 out of Northwestern. The inner defender performed for the Packers in his first seven seasons and gave the impression in 111 video games, together with 80 begins. His stats are underwhelming with handiest 15.5 sacks, his season top used to be 5 in 2021, 252 tackles however by no means greater than 47 in a single marketing campaign, and 23 tackles for loss, probably the most in a season had been 5.
Alternatively, his qualities don’t all the time seem at the stat sheets, as he used to be doing the grimy paintings for Kenny Clark, the Packers’ defensive take on who gave the crimson group a wide variety of issues in the previous few years. Lowry is consuming up blocks for him and is cleansing up in the back of him and will assist the protection in each run and move protection.
He’s a cast participant who doesn’t get the reward he merits as a result of he infrequently pulls off thrilling performs, within the mildew of former Viking Shamar Stephen, who used to be praised through Mike Zimmer however disliked through lovers.
Consistent with Pelissero, the deal is value $8.5 million over two seasons. Extra main points have no longer been specified but. The wage signifies that he’s no longer the massive resolution up entrance and that there might be any other signing at the line of defense.
Minnesota recently employs within defenders Harrison Phillips, Khyiris Tonga, James Lynch, Esezi Otomewo, Ross Blacklock, T.J. Smith, and Sheldon Day.
Phillips, a 2022 unfastened agent signing, and Lowry must be the entrance runners for 2 of the 3 beginning spots. Tonga had the most productive 2022 season out of the gang however in an overly restricted pattern dimension. The Vikings must attempt to upload any other participant by way of signing, industry, or within the draft.
Janik Eckardt is a soccer fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings turned into his favourite group regardless of their quarterback on the time, Christian Contemplate. He’s a strolling football encyclopedia, loves gazing sitcoms, and Vintage rock is his tune style of selection. Apply him on Twitter when you just like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
