This offseason saw a lot of change to the Minnesota Vikings' defensive line, which looks much younger than the unit has in a long time.
That's because starters like Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were released to free up cap space and give defensive coordinator Brian Flores a younger group. Bleacher Report writer Kristopher Knox could have someone in free agency who can help bring some veteran leadership to the line with former Buffalo Bills defensive lineman DaQuan Jones.
"Jones would make a lot of sense for the Minnesota Vikings, who are hoping to leap back into NFC North contention this season. While much of the offseason focus has been on the looming QB battle between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray, Minnesota faces the challenge of reloading its defensive front.
The Vikings parted with both Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen early this offseason. While they did sign Isaiahh Loudermilk while drafting Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, adding DaQuan Jones would round out the defensive rotation while adding veteran leadership to the group."
DaQuan Jones can help the Minnesota Vikings' defensive line during the 2026 NFL season.
Last season with the Bills, Jones finished with 22 tackles, three sacks, and three tackles for loss in 12 games. Pro Football Focus believed he had a great season, giving him an overall grade of 75.5 and ranking him 10th out of 134 interior defensive linemen.
Where Jones can really help the Vikings out is the pass rush, as Minnesota no longer has Jonathan Greenard coming off the edge after being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Jalen Redmond is a great pass rusher from the defensive tackle position, but Jones can certainly help with that, too. PFF gave him a 74.7 pass-rushing grade last year, ranking him 18th out of 134 interior defensive linemen, while also sharing that he had 21 pressures and 12 hurries.
Another positive about Jones is that he won't cost the Vikings much money. He's a guy who wouldn't need a lot of money to be used as a one-year rental to give Banks and Orange time to develop as defensive tackles.
Minnesota would have to use Jones as a part-time situational defensive tackle, as he is now strong against the run. Jones' 63.1 PFF run-stopping grade was 31st at the position last season, showcasing a weakness in his game.
The other concern is that he is 35 and coming off a calf injury that cost him five games last year. He would not be seen as a starter on the defensive line, but he would be a solid rotational guy if the Vikings are okay with that.
Is it the sexy signing the Vikings fan base would want? Not necessarily, but it would be more impactful than they think. Jones should be considered as an option for Minnesota.
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