4 Vikings who will benefit most from free-agent signings so far
By Dean Jones
Michael Pierce – DT
Michael Pierce shouldn’t be criticized for opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 health concerns. The defensive tackle was last season’s marquee signing for the Vikings in free agency and not having him on the interior is something that really hurt Mike Zimmer’s unit during the campaign.
Getting Pierce back into the fold in 2021 is a massive boost. But the player will be joined by another new face that comes with the highest of ceilings.
Plenty of jaws hit the floor when the Vikings secured the services of Dalvin Tomlinson following a successful spell with the New York Giants. The former second-round pick out of Alabama enjoyed a sensational season that saw him record four sacks and an eye-catching 75.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, so this can be seen as a real coup for Minnesota and one that should benefit them considerably.
The interior defensive line was a real problem for the Vikings during the 2020 campaign. However, the tandem of Pierce and Tomlinson will change that in an instant.
With Danielle Hunter hopefully getting back to full health in the not-too-distant future, this once-proud area of Vikings football has the potential to make a return to the form of old in 2021.