7 free-agent inside linebackers the Vikings could sign in 2022
By Luke Parrish
Jayon Brown
2021 Team: Tennesee Titans
Right off the bat, the Vikings would make a splash by signing Tennessee’s Jayon Brown. Like Barr and Kendricks, Brown was a star at UCLA before taking over the middle of the defense in the NFL. After five seasons with the Titans, Brown could look to regain a starting role somewhere else in the league.
Brown lost a bit of his impact last season after starting for two seasons. He was a situational linebacker in his first two seasons before taking the starting job but slid back into a slightly smaller role in 2021 thanks to injuries and competition at the position.
Tennessee has actively added capable pieces to their linebacker room over the past few years including David Long and Rashaan Evans. Those additions have made Brown much less of a necessary piece for Mike Vrabel.
Brown has recorded one interception in each of his past four seasons and has added 24 pass breakups over that span as well. In his most complete season, where Brown started in 14 games, he racked up 105 tackles (three for a loss).
Injuries have always been an issue for Jayon Brown so his cost is likely going to be affected by that. He has been solid when on the field, but he has missed 15 games over the past three seasons.
Banking on Brown being a locked-in starter for 17 weeks is a bit rich, but he is a good tackler in the middle of the field that would be a massive upgrade from what we have seen behind Kendricks. Brown could be a sub-package linebacker in coverage when Barr lines up to rush the passer.