What to expect from new Vikings defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson

The Bad

Not the prototypical 3T player

The biggest knock on Dalvin Tomlinson is his size. At 6-foot-3 and 318 pounds, he played both three-technique and nose tackle for New York in addition to getting snaps as a defensive end as a rookie.

Having an extra 15 to 20 pounds on his frame does slow him down a little as a pass rusher, but he has still consistently been able to get 3.5 sacks per year over the last two seasons despite playing at nose tackle.

A hefty contract

Spending $22 million over the next two years is a heavy investment in a defensive tackle by the Vikings. The amount of guaranteed money on his deal can be a bit scary as well considering the injuries some of Minnesota’s players endured during the 2020 season.

Even with his previous success with the Giants and his stellar health history as a pro, a contract like the one he got from the Vikings can be a roll of the dice. This is especially true since Tomlinson isn’t a prolific pass rusher from the interior of the defensive line.