Ranking the Vikings’ 2019 draft needs after the first wave of free agency
By Nik Edlund
Defensive Tackle
The Vikings signed their former starting defensive tackle Shamar Stephen in free agency this year. Minnesota did this the night before Sheldon Richardson agreed to terms with the Browns. The Vikings must have known from the start that Richardson wouldn’t be coming back for next season.
Stephen won’t create the interior pressure that Richardson did in 2018, but he has experience playing in Mike Zimmer’s defense and he is excellent against the run. Hopefully, Jalyn Holmes can also provide some interior push on passing downs.
Even with the addition of Stephen, defensive tackle still remains a need for Minnesota. The Vikings are four deep at the position with Linval Joseph and Jaleel Johnson as the nose tackles and Stephen and Holmes as the 3-techniques. But Minnesota could still use a guy who is a disruptor and this player will likely come from the draft.
It’s hard seeing the Vikings using a really high pick on a defensive tackle. The only way they would is if someone unexpected fell into their laps at pick No. 18.
That person would be former Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver. He is a dominating presence inside and he would be an amazing addition to Minnesota’s defensive line. He’ll likely be off the board though and the Vikings will just look for a defensive tackle in the middle or late rounds.