Which former Vikings players will succeed the most in 2020?

Linval Joseph (Los Angeles Chargers)

It was a sad day for many Vikings fans when “The Big Goon”, Linval Joseph, was released. There were rumblings that Minnesota was hoping to sign him to a cheaper deal after he was let go, but he was snapped up real fast by the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.

While Joseph’s play did decline last year, one has to wonder if he was truly healthy during the season. Prior to the 2019 campaign, he had been dealing with shoulder issues. Then during the season, he had to have his knee scoped and missed time because of it.

It isn’t a good combination for a big run-stuffer to have bum shoulders and knees. Joseph was likely never at 100 percent last season and even at 31-years-old, he still has a couple of good seasons of football left in him.

The Vikings replaced Joseph with a younger option at defensive tackle in Michael Pierce this offseason. But over the last few years, Joseph has clearly been the better player than Pierce.

Even last season, when he wasn’t fully healthy, Joseph had 44 tackles, three sacks, and six tackles for a loss. He did that in 13 games played.

The Chargers were wise to snap up “The Big Goon” and they should get good production from him in 2020. And if he’s truly back to tip-top shape, his numbers could be even better than they were last season.