Vikings Sign 27-Year-Old Career Starter to Bolster Interior Defensive Line
It took a bit longer than expected but the Minnesota Vikings have finally made an outside signing on the first day of the legal tampering period. His name is Dalvin Tomlinson and he’s a 27-year-old starting defensive tackle who spent his first four seasons with the New York Giants. He started all 64 games for the G-Men in that time.
.@DalvinTomlinson – – > @Vikings ???? #LegendsLiveHere #Skol pic.twitter.com/1Oj1WKqDNS
— SportsTrust Advisors (@_SportsTrust) March 16, 2021
Source: Dalvin Tomlinson to #Vikings
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
2 years, $22M
$20M total guarantee
$16M fully guaranteed
$15M Signing Bonus
$16M First Year
The Vikings are still rostering Shamar Stephen but can save a few million dollars against the 2021 cap if the release him. We’ll see if that happens over the next couple of days. Tomlinson was a full-time starter in New York so I’d expect he signed for that same role here in Minnesota.
That would mean he lines up next to yet-to-be-seen Michael Pierce this season. Spielman will still be on the lookout for an edge rusher, cornerback and safety to fill the remaining holes on this Minnesota Vikings defense, but this should be a step in the right direction.
What they’re saying
Tomlinson is known as a run-stopping nose-tackle, much like Michael Pierce. No matter, Zimmer apparently plans on playing both.
Vikings expect to hav Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson in the mix for 2021. Tomlinson was strong against the run for the Giants, an area the Vikings are striving to improve. He lined up for NYG at nose 287 snaps last year but I'm told that won't affect where MIN wants Pierce.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) March 16, 2021
New #Vikings DT Dalvin Tomlinson was second on Giants DL w/ 656 snaps [60.3%] last season; played mostly run downs, both over center and outside of guard; career-high 28 pressures last year, per @PFF pic.twitter.com/uOrjYVgnGq
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) March 16, 2021
The #Vikings adding Dalvin Tomlinson doesn’t affect their plans for Michael Pierce, from what I understand. They’re planning to use them both.
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) March 16, 2021
The Vikings defensive tackle group is either nose tackles or guys who played on the edge in college
— Arif Hasan, in like a lion???? (@ArifHasanNFL) March 16, 2021
For two years, I've been hollering about the #Vikings run defense. It needed to be a top priority! Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce will be a solid interior DL duo. I love it. https://t.co/ZAj24ljZGC
— Daniel House (@DanielHouseNFL) March 16, 2021
Another late-night signing
Rick Spielman must be more of a night owl because this Tomlinson deal isn’t the only one he’s verbally inked tonight. The Vikings have also agreed to terms on a contract with linebacker, Nick Vigil, who is also 27-years-old. He played his first four seasons in Cincinnati before playing last season in Los Angeles (Chargers).
The #Vikings are signing LB Nick Vigil to a one-year deal that includes over $1 million guaranteed, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2021
Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan
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