Bargain Free Agent No. 6
Dorance Armstrong - EDGE
2023 Team: Dallas Cowboys
The future of Danielle Hunter with the Vikings is uncertain, just like Harrison Smith and Kirk Cousins. If Hunter decides to leave, Minnesota's defense could be in trouble for the 2024 season.
Last season, the Vikings struggled to create a pass rush after D.J. Wonnum got injured in the second half of the season. This was a major factor in the team's failure to make it to the postseason.
The pass-rushing market is bountiful, and even average players are getting significant paydays. It seems like players who average only five to seven sacks a season are getting paid a lot.
However, rotational outside linebacker Dorrance Armstrong is not expected to get a significant payday in free agency. Despite not being at the same level as Hunter, Armstrong could still make an impact on any team he joins.
Pairing him with Hunter could help the Vikings' defense. Players like Brian Burns, Jonathan Greenard, and Chase Young are expected to get big paydays, so Minnesota may need to look elsewhere. Armstrong ended last season with a career-high of 7.5 sacks, but he struggles against the run.
He is not very effective in setting an edge, and running backs find it easy to go around or through him. However, playing under Brian Flores could help Armstrong's development.