The Minnesota Vikings have plenty of linebacker depth after signing free agents Emmanuel Lamur and Travis Lewis.
The Vikings have made several moves in recent days to fill out their linebacker corps for 2016.
A few days ago, Minnesota announced the return of Audie Cole on a new one-year contract. On Thursday, the Vikings signed Bengals free agent linebacker Emmanuel Lamur and Lions free agent linebacker Travis Lewis.
Lamur and Lewis both have limited starting experience in the NFL. Lamur is tall and rangy at 6-4 and has experience in Mike Zimmer’s system, having played for the current Vikings coach in Cincinnati. Lewis got some starts at outside linebacker in Detroit in 2015 before being replaced by Tahir Whitehead.
Both men bring value as special teams players. Lewis is 28 and Lamur is 26.
Lamur spoke to the media via conference call on Thursday and talked about his role in Minnesota.
Emmanuel Lamur on what role he might play: "Just going out here to compete. Just trying to start. That's the main goal now.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 10, 2016
Lamur, Lewis and Cole all figure to be in the mix in training camp as the Vikings attempt to identify a starter at the weak-side linebacker position. 33-year-old Chad Greenway was the primary Will backer for the Vikings in 2015.
The Vikings appear to be set at both the strong-side and middle linebacker positions with Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks. Barr and Kendricks look to be the nickel backers next year though it bears mentioning that Lamur played nickel backer for Zimmer in Cincinnati.
The Vikings linebacker corps also includes 2015 seventh-round selection Edmond Robinson, who started two games in his rookie season and appears to be set as a backup Mike.
Next: Sherels visits New York Jets
Brandon Watts was a seventh-round pick of the Vikings in 2014 and remains on the roster.
Chad Greenway is an unrestricted free agent and it’s starting to look like he won’t be back. But never say never.