5 former Vikings players the team could bring back in 2023
By Nik Edlund
Former Viking No. 3
Yannick Ngakoue - EDGE
Yannick Ngakoue played with the Vikings for about six games in 2020 after being acquired in a trade right before the start of that season. Minnesota then shipped off to the Baltimore Ravens midway through the season after the team started 1-5. Despite that, he still led the Vikings in sacks.
That is the value Ngakoue still brings. He is an excellent pass rusher, and he proved that with 10 sacks in 2021 when he was with the Las Vegas Raiders and 9.5 last year with the Indianapolis Colts.
No matter the system or scheme, Ngakoue can get to the passer. He's someone the Vikings need to have on their radar if the Danielle Hunter situation takes a turn for the worst.
If Hunter's holdout gets ugly and drags on through camp and appears to be looking like it'll go into the season, then Ngakoue should be called.
He can step in and be the man opposite Marcus Davenport. It shouldn't take the veteran long to catch on to Brian Flores' system, and really all Flores needs to do have him do is pin his ears back and go after the quarterback.
He's an excellent backup plan, but one who could still end up finding a home before the season starts because he's a proven pass-rushing commodity. Of all the players mentioned on this list, he's the one who could have the biggest impact if he's brought in.