The Minnesota Vikings are in need of reinforcements along their defensive line.
With three of their top four defensive tackles—Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, and Jihad Ward—becoming unrestricted free agents this offseason, the team faces a key challenge. These players helped Minnesota allow the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL last season, but the Vikings still require more pass-rush production from their defensive line.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive standout Milton Williams had been viewed as an ideal free-agent target for Minnesota, but that was before his impressive Super Bowl performance. Williams contributed two sacks on Patrick Mahomes in the Eagles’ dominant 40-22 victory. Philadelphia’s defensive strategy proved that the key to stopping the NFL’s top quarterback is having a dominant defensive front capable of creating pressure.
As a result, Williams’ value has surged, and signing him may prove difficult. Sports Illustrated’s Will Ragatz noted that Williams, previously overshadowed by Jalen Carter, had the second-highest pass-rushing grade among defensive tackles this season, according to PFF. His exceptional performance in the Super Bowl has made him a highly sought-after player in free agency.
Ragatz projected that the Vikings would need to offer around $20 million per year to secure Williams, a significant jump from the previously estimated three-year, $36 million contract. Despite the higher cost, Ragatz believes Williams’ rare athleticism and potential for improvement at 26 years old makes him worth the investment for Minnesota.
The Vikings’ desire for a game-changing defensive tackle isn’t just a recent need. Last offseason, Minnesota aggressively pursued Christian Wilkins, who was reported as a “top priority” in free agency by The Athletic’s Alec Lewis. However, the Vikings were outbid by the Las Vegas Raiders, who signed Wilkins to a lucrative four-year, $110 million deal. Minnesota ultimately shifted its focus, using most of its cap space to sign Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, both of whom earned Pro Bowl selections in their first year under defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
With their edge-rusher positions secure, the Vikings are expected to prioritize adding a dominant interior pass rusher again this offseason.
Given the immense value of a top-tier defensive tackle, the Vikings could also look to address this position through the draft while allocating their cap space elsewhere. According to Tyler Forness of A to Z Sports, defensive tackle is the second-most mocked position for the Vikings this offseason