Which Minnesota Vikings players stand to benefit most from their 2021 free-agent signings so far?
It’s been an eventful start to free agency for the Minnesota Vikings, who’ve done wonders to comply with the new financial regulations and make some notable signings in the process. The expected sacrifices were made for the greater good and although the recruitment period is still in its infancy, things are going perhaps even better than expected.
General manager Rick Spielman deserves an exceptional amount of credit for getting the Vikings under the cap. Not only this, he gave them enough flexibility to acquire some talent that should serve them well as the organization looks to make a return to the postseason in 2021.
With a bounty of NFL Draft picks to call upon next month, Minnesota might have a team that is more than competitive next time around. The solid core of Pro Bowl-caliber players is still there and with a few improvements in key positional groups, they should be a force to be reckoned with.
The new signings over the last week of free agency will certainly help. Who are some of the Vikings players that stand to benefit most from the recent acquisitions?
Player No. 1
Jeff Gladney – CB
There were a lot of encouraging signs for Jeff Gladney to take from his first season with Minnesota. The cornerback went through his fair share of growing pains, which is not uncommon for rookie players at the position. But the strides he made down the stretch should ensure the 2020 first-round pick has a big part to play moving forward.
The arrival of Patrick Peterson from the Arizona Cardinals is set to do wonders for Gladney’s development. Learning from an All-Pro veteran who was the best in the business once upon a time is a significant shot in the arm and one that could take the TCU product’s game to new heights.
Whether Peterson lines up as a cornerback or on the backend following the departure of Anthony Harris is irrelevant. Gladney should be bending his ear every chance he gets in a bid to further progress before competitive action begins next season.
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.
Cameron Dantzler – CB
As stated previously, the Vikings got a top player on and off the field in the form of Patrick Peterson. The cornerback might not have the same sort of athleticism he once demonstrated as a shutdown presence on the outside. But few would argue he isn’t a noteworthy addition to a positional group that lacked some gameday nous following the departures of Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander last year.
Cameron Dantzler was given plenty of responsibility alongside Jeff Gladney during his rookie campaign. This is sure to stand him in tremendous stead moving forward and having such an experienced figure such as Peterson to lean on for support and guidance should be the security blanket he needs throughout his sophomore season.
Minnesota probably had half a mind on this when they decided to bring Peterson on board. Youth will only get you so far in the NFL if you have too much of it, so acquiring the three-time All-Pro has advantages that far exceed what he’s going to produce on the field.
Dantzler and Gladney will be the main beneficiaries, of that there is little doubt. Both showed enough to indicate they could become a prolific starting tandem as the years go by and learning from Peterson isn’t going to do their chances any harm at all.
Eric Kendricks – LB
Now it might not seem much on the face of it, but the Vikings agreeing to terms with Nick Vigil is great news for Eric Kendricks. The All-Pro linebacker is the heart and soul of the defense and will remain so moving forward.
However, having the newest free-agent signing either alongside him at the second level or as a rotational piece could make all the difference in keeping the veteran on the field.
Losing Kendricks to injury in 2020 was the icing on a very sour cake for the Vikings, who went through arguably their worst statistical campaign on defense during the Mike Zimmer era. Things might have been different had everyone been available and with a couple of exciting pieces sure to come in via the 2021 NFL Draft, expect Minnesota to go back to their old selves in this area.
Whether the Vikings rely too much on Kendricks is up for debate. The signing of Vigil not only gives Minnesota the option to use the former third-round pick on the outside. But it could also keep their primary linebacker weapon fresh and firing on all cylinders for the duration of the campaign.
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There is a lot to like about the way Vigil went about his business with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. He is a prolific tackling presence to call upon and considering the contract terms, it was a low-risk, high reward pickup by the Vikings.