Tag: Eric Wilson

Vikings’ top undrafted free agents of the past decade

See the top Minnesota Vikings who signed with the team as undrafted free agents this past decade.

Under Rick Spielman and even before that, the Vikings have been known as a team that can find value near the end of the NFL draft.

Just look at Minnesota’s best seventh-round picks of the past decade. The Vikings have developed several of those players into competent starters.

Undrafted free agency is no different. The Vikings have not only landed undrafted free agents who didn’t get cut, the team has seen some become elite players in the NFL.

In May, the Vikings will have to go through the undrafted free agency process yet again, trying to find talent that was overlooked by NFL teams amid the draft.

Until then, here is a list of the team’s best undrafted free agents of the past decade:

Here’s everything we know about newest Eagles’ LB Eric Wilson

Eric Wilson signed a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles signed a linebacker on Wednesday, inking Eric Wilson to a one-year deal after four seasons in Minnesota.

The deal is worth up to $3.25 million, according to NFL Network.

Instant analysis of Eagles signing LB Eric Wilson

The Eagles signed linebacker Eric Wilson in free agency. Here are 3 takeaways from the move

The Eagles quietly made another huge signing Wednesday, inking former Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson to a one-year deal.

Mike Garafolo reported that Wilson can make up to $3.25 million this season with incentives.

An up-and-coming linebacker, Wilson is arriving in Philadelphia just as his ascension as a top-tier linebacker is beginning.

Here are a few takeaways from the deal.

Eric Wilson’s contract with Eagles will pay him $3.25 million in 2021

The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson to a one-year, $3.25 million deal in 2021

The Philadelphia Eagles added a talented linebacker to the roster on Wednesday, inking Vikings’ stud tackler Eric Wilson to a one-year deal.

In 2020, Wilson started 15 games, logging a team-high 118 total tackles, nine quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, and two fumble recoveries in his first season as a starter.

The 6-1, 230 pound Wilson has 234 career tackles.

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Report: Former Vikings LB Eric Wilson signing with Eagles in free agency

Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson is moving on in 2021 NFL free agency, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Eric Wilson was given a bigger role on the Vikings defense in 2020 and he had a career year.

Wilson tallied three sacks, three interceptions, eight passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 15 starts this past season. It seemed as though Wilson would be hard for the Vikings to keep around this offseason, on account of the 2020 he had and how he was probably only going to be the third linebacker on Minnesota in 2021.

So it shouldn’t be too surprising that Wilson is reportedly signing elsewhere. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the linebacker is heading to Philadelphia on a one-year deal worth up to $3.25 million.

From the Eagles’ perspective, that’s a pretty fair deal for a player who showed he could be a starter with the Vikings. It should be pointed out, though that his basic stats look a lot better than his 2020 PFF grade of 53.5. Some of that can be contributed to Wilson’s poor tackling and overall inconsistency in run defense.

However, if Wilson can avoid regression on his sack and turnover numbers, the Eagles are getting a player who can be a big help.

Eagles agree to 1-year deal with former Vikings LB Eric Wilson

The Eagles have signed linebacker Eric Wilson to a one-year, $3.25 million deal

The Eagles are signing LB Eric Wilson to a one-year deal according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.
Wilson is coming off a season in which he logged 122 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 interceptions last year for the Vikings.

Jonathan Gannon was on Minnesota staff his rookie year.

At 6-1, 230 pounds, Wilson has good size, is a sure tackler in Minnesota, and he’s only 26 years old.

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New Vikings LB Nick Vigil prides himself on versatility

Vigil played last season with the Chargers before spending the previous four seasons with the Bengals.

The Vikings finally announced the signing of linebacker Nick Vigil this week to a one-year deal.

Vigil played last season with the Chargers before spending the previous four seasons with the Bengals.

A huge part of Vigil’s fit with the Vikings has to do with the fact that he can play all three linebacker positions.

“I played all three [linebacker] positions,” Vigil said via Mark Craig of the Star Tribune. “My versatility is something that can help the team out. Whatever they need along with special teams. I’ve played a lot of special teams. Whatever can help the team, I’m good with.”

The fact that Vigil is willing to play a variety of positions, including special teams, is big considering he also has plenty of starting experience, starting 39 games during his career.

Vigil takes the roster spot that was once taken by linebacker Eric Wilson. Wilson has yet to sign with a team after it was expected he’d land a big deal.

LB Eric Wilson ranks as 4th-best free agent still available

After starting 15 games last season, Wilson has yet to sign with a team.

Linebacker Eric Wilson is still looking for his next home after four seasons with the Vikings.

Over at CBS Sports, Bryan DeArdo and Jeff Kerr have Wilson listed as the fourth-best free agent who has yet to sign with a team.

Here’s what was written about Wilson:

A former undrafted rookie, Wilson became a full-time starter during the 2020 season. Last season, the 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker racked up 122 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Wilson has recently been linked to the Broncos, who are looking to upgrade their linebacker corps for the 2021 season.

It seems unlikely the Vikings will bring Wilson back considering the team has just $8.6 million in cap space with the draft still yet to happen.

Wilson served as a solid spot starter for the Vikings over the years. It will be interested to see where he ends up next. It is somewhat surprising that he hasn’t found a home yet.

What is Vikings LB Eric Wilson’s value in free agency? It’s hard to say

Could Vikings LB Eric Wilson not be in for a big payday after all?

In a bigger role than usual, linebacker Eric Wilson put up some impressive numbers.

Wilson had three interceptions, eight passes defended, three sacks and nine QB hits in 15 starts. Before this, the most starts he had registered in a season was six in 2019.

Wilson’s basic stats are impressive but PFF has raised some issues with the linebacker. He has a 2020 PFF grade of 53.5 this season. His missed tackles and overall run defense were an issue at times.

Wilson is set to be a free agent this offseason and PFF did not predict a large contract. The outlet tabbed Wilson to earn two-years, $6 million ($3M APY) with $2.5 million total guaranteed. Here’s what the outlet wrote about Wilson:

“Wilson has a solid 2020 in coverage, grading at 65.5, good for 27th among linebackers. His issues have been in the run game where his 38.3 grade ranked just 85th out of 99 qualifiers. Wilson brings well above average athleticism to the position and that shows up in flashes, but he must get better as a run defender if he’s going to play over 1,000 snaps once again as he did last season.”

It’s understandable why a team would be reluctant to give Wilson a large contract. He has just one year as a mainstay starter. In that year, he had great plays, in addition to some flaws.

So going forward, there are some concerns. What if he doesn’t produce the same amount of pressure? What if he isn’t in a position to create the turnovers he once did? Those things are both possibilities.

That said, many expect Wilson to get a big payday this offseason. Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that his value is at $9 million or $10 million a year. It should be interesting to see what Wilson earns this offseason and whether he’s within the Vikings’ price range. You can read more about Wilson from PFF here.