Linval Joseph is reportedly out, but Michael Pierce is reportedly in.
A source told NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport that Pierce agreed to a three-year deal with the Vikings that’s worth $27 million, with a max of $28 million.
The #Vikings agreed to terms former #Ravens DT Michael Pierce on a 3-year deal worth $27M, source said, with a max of $28M. He gets $18M guaranteed and is back in free agency at 30.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2020
The defensive line depth looked questionable after Joseph reportedly left the team for the Chargers, but Pierce adds all-important depth in his place.
Pierce had 35 total tackles and just .5 sacks. His stats don’t jump out, but Pro Football Focus is higher on him than you would think.
Pro Football Focus reported that Pierce earned a 69.1 grade (out of possible 100), and ranked No. 44 among interior defenders in 2019. PFF also reported that Pierce has yet to record a run defense grade below 70.8 in his four seasons in the NFL so far.
The Vikings fixed a lot of the depth problem at defensive tackle, and still have picks to add more pieces to the interior defensive line if need be. Overall, a good get.