5 free agency bargains the Vikings should consider in 2021
By Dean Jones
Shaquem Griffin -DE/OLB
2020 Team: Seattle Seahawks
Shaquem Griffin‘s story is an inspirational one. The edge rusher had his left hand amputated as a child, but he has proven that nothing is impossible since.
Not only did Griffin enjoy a standout college career at UCF that saw him earn AAC defensive player of the year honors in 2016 and a second-team All-American selection the following year, but he has also been a huge asset on a rotational basis for the Seattle Seahawks after being taken in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Playing just 17 percent of the team’s defensive snaps, Griffin logged nine tackles, one sack, three quarterback hits, one pass defended, and three pressures on his way to an encouraging 66.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. He can play on the defensive line or stand up as an outside linebacker, which is an area in which the Vikings appear desperately short of reinforcements if their efforts this season are any indication.
He is a restricted free agent this offseason, so the Seahawks might bring him back. Griffin is a big personality who has beaten all the odds to achieve his NFL dream and has many useful physical attributes that could prove useful on a Minnesota defense that enjoyed arguably its worst season under Mike Zimmer in 2020.
It’s hard to root against guys like Griffin. But there is no room for sentiment when it comes to building rosters and whether the Vikings consider this sort of move remains to be seen.