5 defensive sleepers the Vikings should target in 2021 free agency
By Dean Jones
Samson Ebukam – OLB
2020 Team: Los Angeles Rams
As stated previously, the Vikings need some additional help rushing the passer. Injuries to Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks made pressure almost non-existent from the second level in 2020 and if they want to realistically compete for the NFC North title next time around, things have to improve.
Although he’s not the biggest name on the free-agent market by any stretch of the imagination, Samson Ebukam is a progressive player who has now found his feet in the NFL and could provide a real injection of ferocity in this particular scenario.
Ebukam does need to improve his run prevention from the edge to further enhance his influence on the field. But from a pure pass-rushing perspective, there is an awful lot to like.
The former fourth-round pick has nine sacks over the last two years with the Los Angeles Rams, with Ebukam achieving this feat in just 363 snaps in 2020. There could be even more to come from the edge rusher with a little more in the way of responsibility on his shoulders and Minnesota could provide this if Eric Wilson cannot be re-signed.
Ebukam fits the mold of physically imposing players that Mike Zimmer has worked with plenty during his time in the NFL, so this potential pickup could be mutually beneficial.