Free agency was a crazy time for the Minnesota Vikings, as quarterback Kirk Cousins left after six seasons. He was replaced by signing Sam Darnold (and subsequently drafting J.J. McCarthy). Danielle Hunter’s departure was used to rebuild the entire pass-rushing group by acquiring Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Dallas Turner.
Vikings Linked to “Luxury Addition” Free Agent
Last year, the Minnesota Vikings ranked 19th with 43 sacks despite Brian Flores sending the blitz on more than 51.5% of the passing plays. Hunter was the only defender who was consistently able to beat his blocker. Help from the line’s interior was non-existent, Marcus Davenport was hurt for most of the season, and D.J. Wonnum was too inconsistent.
Reshaping the pass rush was necessary, and it should be a more well-rounded group. Greenard will be his replacement as the top guy on paper, but he will have some wingmen supporting him.
However, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox thinks signing another pass-rusher would be an intriguing move. He listed ten remaining free agents and tabbed the Vikings as a potential suitor for Emmanuel Ogbah.
Emmanuel Ogbah has been a productive and versatile defender during his eight-year career with the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins.
Ogbah has rushed opposing quarterbacks as both a linebacker and a defensive end in the NFL. While he’s never recorded a 10-sack season, he’s had several strong years as a high-end complementary piece.
Kristopher Knox
The Vikings employ a plethora of edge defenders:
- EDGE1: Jonathan Greenard
- EDGE2: Andrew Van Ginkel
- EDGE3: Dallas Turner
- EDGE4: Patrick Jones
- EDGE5: Jihad Ward
- EDGE6: Andre Carter
- EDGE7: Gabriel Murphy
- EDGE8: Owen Porter
- EDGE9: Bo Richter
The competition behind the top three players is intriguing, with 2021 third-rounder Patrick Jones, who has been a backup so far, and Jihad Ward, who’s coming off a season with a career-high five sacks with the Giants.
Last year’s undrafted rookie, Andre Carter, made the team but barely had an impact. His competition will be the new three undrafted rookies, primarily UCLA defender Gabriel Murphy. Many draft pundits viewed him as a mid-round pick.
Despite the crowded room, why does Knox view Minnesota as a potential destination for Ogbah? The answer is pretty simple: He played under Flores in Miami.
The Minnesota Vikings could also consider Ogbah after reloading their pass-rushing rotation this offseason. They lost Danielle Hunter but added Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jihad Ward and rookie Dallas Turner.
Ogbah would be a bit of a luxury addition for Minnesota, but it’s worth noting his connection with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Flores was Miami’s head coach during Ogbah’s two nine-sack campaigns in 2020 and 2021.
Kristopher Knox
The 32nd overall pick from 2016 played his first three seasons in Cleveland, followed by a Super Bowl-winning campaign with the Chiefs and four seasons with the Dolphins. Outside of the two seasons under Flores in which he produced nine sacks each year, his career high is 5.5.
He might want to run it back with his former head coach to replicate the success. Interstingly, Ogbah’s frequency of lining up as a defensive tackle under Flores far exceeded his numbers in the last two seasons without him. With Minnesota’s lack of an interior pass rush, adding someone who can line up all over the front seven might make him an intriguing target.
Regardless, it seems unlikely that the Vikings would add another pass-rusher to the already-filled room, although the history with Flores is a sweet detail.
