NFL Insider Praises Minnesota Vikings Free Agent Class

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Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

There was a ton of change for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. When they opted to move on from Kirk Cousins, there was a need to address the most important position in sports. Beyond that, they had a windfall of cap space to address other areas of need.

Things could have blown up in Minnesota’s face. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah opted against bringing back players who had established a presence on the roster. Things didn’t go sideways though, and now Minnesota is 13-2.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah crushed it for the Minnesota Vikings

With this many weeks behind them, it’s fair to take an assessment of the deals signed this offseason. Minnesota experienced turnover at the quarterback position, and also with multiple edge rushers. When considering the best free agent classes, ESPN’s Ben Solak wasn’t shy in calling the Vikings big winners.

“I also think the Vikings knocked it out of the park with their edge rushers in Andrew Van Ginkel (two years, $20 million) and Jonathan Greenard (four years, $72 million), especially when you consider how they let a franchise cornerstone in Danielle Hunter out of the building at the same position. And weirdly, Hunter (who leads the league in pressures by a huge margin) was a good signing for the Texans, too!”

Ben Solak on the best free agent signings (ESPN)

Last season Greenard recorded 12.5 sacks in 15 games. He has 11 this season in the same amount, be he has been an absolute menace even when not bringing down the quarterback. His 52 tackles, and 16 tackles for losses, are identical to his previous output as well.

The tandem of Greenard and Van Ginkel has worked out wonderfully. Both have legitimate Defensive Player of the Year resumes, and Van Ginkel has nearly doubled his previous career-high sack total (6.0) with 11.0. His two pick six interceptions lead the league.

Related: Franchise Tagging Sam Darnold is the Minnesota Vikings’ Only Option

Minnesota has a revamped defense because Brian Flores has been able to effectively utilize his new talents. The pairing up front, along with Blake Cashman, have all be hits. Solak didn’t even have to mention an MVP-caliber Sam Darnold.

Although Solak heaped considerable praise on the Vikings free agent class, he wasn’t ready to do the same for the recent Camp Rock celebration. The analyst is just 27 years old and said he isn’t sure what Camp Rock is. At 34 years old, I’m right there with him.

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Then again, the Vikings did absolutely have the best celebration of the year, but it was in London with the Parent Trap tribute. Born in 1997 though, it’s unlikely that Solak is too familiar with the 1998 film either.

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