6 free-agent outside linebackers the Vikings could sign in 2022
By Dean Jones
Kyler Fackrell
2021 Team: Los Angeles Chargers
One player who might be familiar to the Minnesota Vikings is Kyler Fackrell. The outside linebacker played his first four seasons with the Green Bay Packers before moving on and boasts an enticing set of skills that could assist during the expected transition to a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2022.
Fackrell has just seven sacks over his last two seasons. But he is a stout presence against the run and there might be more to come with a little extra responsibility on his shoulders.
The former third-round pick out of Utah State played 43 percent of snaps on defense for the Los Angeles Chargers last season, earning a respectable 63.3 grade from Pro Football Focus. This is a player that wouldn’t cost the earth compared to others on this list, with finding diamonds in the rough an absolute necessity given Minnesota’s cap constraints heading into their first free agency under the new regime.
While Fackrell isn’t the most overwhelming free-agent signing the Vikings will ever make, he is a solid professional that works hard and gives absolutely everything out on the field. More importantly, the player seems to be a nice scheme fit based on where Minnesota is planning to go on defense.
Simply put, this potential acquisition makes a ton of sense and is something the Vikings should strongly consider.