6 free-agent linebackers the Vikings could sign in 2020

Manti Te’o

This may just be because I wanted this guy so badly back in 2013, but Manti Te’o would provide veteran depth for the Vikings linebacker corps.

Te’o never really lived up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of college. In his seven-year career, he’s amassed just 307 tackles with 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. He’s been solid, but far from the stud that many believed he would become.

With Kentrell Brothers more than likely gone in free agency, Minnesota will be looking for a new backup to Eric Kendricks for 2020. They could roll with Cameron Smith or Ben Gedeon, but these guys really haven’t shown much of anything in their careers so far. Te’o would at least be a safer replacement if something were to happen to Kendricks.

Te’o has been in the league for nearly a decade and he has an understanding of what offenses are trying to do in different situations. He’s seen just about everything an offense can throw at a defense and he would be able to step in better than a second-year player like Smith.

Te’o wouldn’t provide much help on special teams, but he would be an affordable option if the Vikings were looking to add some veteran depth to their linebacking corps this year.