Vikings first free-agent signing of 2022 adds more beef to the defense

On the first day of the legal tampering period in the 2022 offseason, the Minnesota Vikings reportedly agreed to a deal with former Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips.

Last offseason, the Minnesota Vikings decided to sign former New York Giants defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson to improve the middle of their front-four. On Monday, the Vikings made a similar move when they reportedly agreed to a deal with former Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips.

Minnesota is reportedly signing Phillips to a three-year contract worth $19.5 million, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.

With Monday’s addition, the Vikings will now have three defensive tackles making an average of at least $6.5 million per season in Phillips, Tomlinson, and Michael Pierce. One would assume that either Tomlinson or Pierce are on their way out the door. But maybe the new guys in charge have a plan for all three?

What are the Minnesota Vikings getting in former Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips?

Phillips entered the league in 2018 after the Bills selected him in the third round of that year’s NFL Draft. He’s spent the last four seasons in Buffalo, appearing in 45 games and starting in 11 of them.

During the 2021 campaign, Phillips accumulated 51 tackles (four for a loss) and one sack. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 15th-best interior defensive lineman in the league last season (out of 110).

He’s never really generated much of a pass rush, but he’s regarded as an excellent run defender, which is an area that Minnesota has struggled in during the last few years.

Last season, the Vikings ranked 29th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per attempt, while Buffalo, with Phillips’ help, ranked 11th. This signing should make running the football much more difficult for Minnesota opponents in 2022.