7 free-agent inside linebackers the Vikings could sign in 2022
By Luke Parrish
Oren Burks
2021 Team: Green Bay Packers
After spending four years as a backup in Green Bay, Oren Burks may be on the move. Burks has just seven starts in his career with less than 100 tackles to his credit over his four seasons. Given his minimal impact in Green Bay, he will be a cheap option with a little bit of experience that gives him a bit of a leg up over some of the guys in Minnesota.
Again, the bar for a player like Burks is so much lower than other potential free agents, but that is more than okay. Teams are built through more than the starting 22 players and that was apparent when the Vikings had injuries at linebacker recently.
The Vikings are going to have to add bodies to the mix on defense and let the best man win. Burks did force two fumbles back in 2020, but his lack of consistent production should be much more of a teaser of what he will be at his next organization.
Minnesota could look at Burks’ experience in the NFC North as a potential bonus in understanding some things Green Bay likes to do defensively and could even use him on special teams. The worst that could happen would be a competition between Burks and Surratt for a spot on the final roster.
Still, the Vikings should look to aim higher if they want to really improve the defense moving forward. The next few guys can do that.