Raiders Swipe Young Pass Rusher Off Minnesota Vikings Practice Squad

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is known as one of the best defensive minds, schemers and developers of talent in the NFL. We see examples of that every week. Last season, one of his rookie projects was EDGE rusher Andre Carter II, out of Army.

As an undrafted free agent, Carter II played in 12 games for the 2023 Vikings, including 9% of defensive snaps and 46% of the special teams plays. He finished the season with two tackles, for a defense that lacked depth.

In the offseason, the Minnesota Vikings completely tore down their edge rusher position, with a focus on adding more talent, as a whole. Danielle Hunter left in free agency, and he was replaced with a bunch of guys, mostly from outside the organization. In March, they signed Jonathan Greenard (FA) and Andrew Van Ginkel (FA). Then, in April, the Vikings drafted Dallas Turner. Already in the EDGE room were Pat Jones II and Jihad Ward.

Andre Carter II leaving Minnesota Vikings for Vegas Vegas Raiders

All of that additional depth left the 24-year-old aforementioned EDGE talent, Andre Carter II on the practice squad, as a kid who stands out to other teams, with double-digit games of real NFL experience. So on Wednesday, the Oakland Raiders took advantage by swooping in and signing Carter II off the Vikings practice squad, and onto their active roster.

We have signed RB Chris Collier and DE Andre Carter II to the active roster.

In corresponding moves, the Raiders have placed DE Maxx Crosby and RB Sincere McCormick on the Reserve/Injured List and have signed DE Ovie Oghoufo and RB Isaiah Spiller to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/Bt4vi53qcy

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 18, 2024

How did this happen? Back in the offseason, Minnesota swapped pass rushers with the Houston Texans, via free agency. When Danielle Hunter’s contract finally expired with the Vikings, the Texans gobbled him up. Meanwhile, Flores was simultaneously replacing Hunter’s pass rush production with Jonathan Greenard, who had just left Houston, after the Texans refused to pay him.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores then paired Greenard with one of his former draft picks in Miami, Andrew Van Ginkel. The rest has been history. Both EDGE rushers are going to finish with double-digit sacks and in the top-15 for Defensive Player of the Year voting. According to FanDuel, Greenard is 5th in the DPOY race, at +2600 odds. Van Ginkel sits in 13th, at +6000.

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But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wasn’t done with adding more pass rushers, just yet. with the 17th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Alabama freak EDGE Dallas Turner. Oh, and don’t forget about Patrick Jones and Jihad Ward, who have fought tooth and nail to remain on the field.

Star edge rusher Maxx Crosby is done for the season, so reps may be open with Antonio Pierce’s squad. Carter II isn’t even 25 yet and he’s still looking to truly establish himself, in the league. A bad Las Vegas Raiders team may be just the break he needs.