Vikings Sign DT Dalvin Tomlinson, LB Nick Vigil to Bolster Defense
It's early in free agency, but the Minnesota Vikings have already made it clear they are looking to rebuild their defense. The Vikings have signed former New York Giants DT Dalvin Tomlinson and former San Diego Chargers LB Nick Vigil.
Experts had ranked Dalvin Tomlinson as the best interior lineman available in free agency and the Vikings were quick to add the 6'3", 320 pound run-stopper to a line that struggled to stop the run in 2020.
According to DailyNorseman.com, Tomlinson is 27 years-old and is just coming off his rookie contract. After being drafted out of Alabama in the 2nd round of the 2017 NFL Draft, he spent his first four seasons with the Giants and has yet to miss a game due to injury.
The Vikings signed Tomlinson to a 2-year, $22 million deal, which Ian Rapoport broke down below. With DT Michael Pierce returning to the team after opting out in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, the two should form a formidable middle to the Vikings defensive line.
While not as splashy a signing, the Vikings also addressed a need at linebacker by signing former San Diego Charger Nick Vigil to a one-year, $1.75 million deal. The Vikings were likely to lose linebacker Eric Wilson in free agency and Vigil can step right in to be the 3rd linebacker next to Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks.
Vigil isn't known as superstar at the position, but he has earned the reputation as being a "tackling machine" and he should provide the Vikings a reliable playmaker while supplying depth to the position.
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