Tag: Rashod Hill

Former Vikings OT Rashod Hill signs with Commanders

Rashod Hill is headed to Washington.

Rashod Hill is no longer on the list of former Minnesota Vikings players that remain unsigned.

Per his agent, Brett Tessler, the veteran offensive tackle has signed a deal with the Washington Commanders.

Hill initially went undrafted to the Jacksonville Jaguars before being signed off their practice squad by the Vikings in 2016. He managed to stick around for the last six seasons and started in 22 games.

With the ability to serve as a swing tackle, it was only a matter of time before opportunity came knocking for the experienced offensive lineman.

At the very least, Hill could provide depth for a Commanders offensive line that ranked 15th in Pro Football Focus’ projected 2022 rankings.

Meanwhile, the Vikings are set at the tackle position for the foreseeable future with Brian O’Neill recently signing a massive extension and the team likely striking gold with 2021 first-round draft pick Christian Darrisaw.

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Vikings free agents that still remain unsigned

Heading into the month of July, these are the Vikings free agents that still remain unsigned.

Training camp is right around the corner, and there are still impactful Minnesota Vikings free agents that have yet to be picked up by a team.

There have been some updates since we last checked in a month ago, most notably with wide receiver Chad Beebe finding a home with the Houston Texans, and Dede Westbrook receiving a contract offer to return to Minnesota.

Beebe fell through the cracks when he was still with the Vikings due to the rapidly growing talent at the receiver position. The arrival of players like K.J. Osborn and Ihmir Smith-Marsette pretty much ensured that he’d never see the field.

He’s hopeful that’ll change as a veteran for a Texans team seeking new direction.

Meanwhile, Westbrook still remains a free agent, despite receiving a contract offer from the Vikings after a spring workout. However, he turned down that offer, and the team signed Albert Wilson to a one-year deal instead.

Keep in mind, more opportunities will obviously open up when teams get into camp, and rosters are impacted by performance and injuries. Here’s the list of Vikings free agents that still remain unsigned in July.

List of remaining unsigned Vikings free agents

There are some surprising names on this list

With OTAs wrapping up and veteran mandatory minicamp right around the corner, there are still some noteworthy names on the list of Minnesota Vikings free agents that remain unsigned.

The biggest name on that list is obviously former four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro outside linebacker Anthony Barr.

After spending eight seasons with the Vikings, Barr’s contract was allowed to expire in the offseason ahead of the regime shift in Minnesota.

Not only did the team replace him with Za’Darius Smith, but they also gave away the No. 55 jersey he wore during his time with the franchise.

It’s a bit shocking that he’s still one of the players on this list considering he’s more than capable of helping a team in need at the linebacker position. The same could be said about other names on this list as well, assuming they end up in the right situation.

Here are the Vikings free agents that still remain unsigned to this point.

Vikings veteran OT Rashod Hill hitting free agency

Hill will test the free agent market

The Vikings offensive line has been a point of contention for quite some time. Ever since Steve Hutchinson left the franchise after the 2011 season, the offensive line has been a mitigated mess. They have tried throwing a myriad of assets at the problem but haven’t been able to find  any sort of sustained success.

One of the main stalwarts at the position is Rashod Hill. A former UDFA, Hill has been with the Vikings for six years. With the legal tampering period having already begun, his agent Brett Tessler announced via Twitter that his client was set to hit free agency.

The Vikings have been able to retain Hill each of the last three offseasons with tendered contracts or one year deals. He was a valuable swing tackle, starting 22 games in his career, including five this past season. His play was that of a backup, earning a 42.5 overall PFF grade, while allowing three sacks and 20 pressures on 215 pass blocking snaps.

The key to Tessler’s tweet is that a return to Minnesota is still possible. The new regime of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell do run the same system as the previous coaching staff, which Hill served as a capable replacement player.

If Hill isn’t brought back, however, watch out for the Vikings signing another swing tackle.

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Vikings place two more on COVID-19/Reserve

The Vikings added two more players to the COVID-19/Reserve list.

The Vikings took a hit to their reserves on Sunday.

Minnesota announced that it placed OT Rashod Hill and QB Sean Mannion on the COVID-19/Reserve list that day.

Hill is the team’s swing tackle. Hill started the first five games of the season before Darrisaw was healthy and acclimated to the league. However, the team moved Oli Udoh to left tackle when LT Christian Darrisaw was out recently, which suggests that Hill is further behind in the offensive line pecking order than he once was.

Mannion is the Vikings’ backup quarterback. Earlier this year, Minnesota OC Klint Kubiak called Mannion “an extra coach on the field.” Mannion isn’t the kind of quarterback who can come in and salvage a season. But he can serve as a field general and helpful player to have on the sideline.

On a related note, the Vikings activated QB Kellen Mond for the Rams game today. Mond, a third-round pick, looked raw in the preseason, but could develop down the road.

The Vikings also have RB Dalvin Cook in COVID-19 protocol. 

Vikings OT Rashod Hill probable to return to Week 6 game against Panthers

Vikings OT Rashod Hill suffered a knee injury, but he’s probable to return.

Vikings OT Rashod Hill has been a pretty important depth player for the team over the years. This season, Hill started the first five games at left tackle.

This week against the Panthers, Christian Darrisaw made his first NFL start, leaving Rashod Hill out of a starting spot.

Hill faced another setback when he went down in the Carolina game with a knee injury. He suffered the injury while playing on the field goal unit.

However, the Vikings announced that the swing tackle is probable to return to the Week 6 game.

Hill’s presence isn’t as crucial with Darrisaw fully healthy now. Although, Hill can still serve as an option on special teams. He has versatility as a reserve offensive lineman.

Hill has a PFF grade of 39.9 so far. Darrisaw has a PFF grade of 60, though Darrisaw has played a lot fewer snaps.

Vikings PFF grades: Lowest offensive grades from the loss to the Browns

Here are the Vikings’ three lowest offensive PFF grades from the game against the Browns.

The Vikings had some players disappoint on Sunday against the Browns. Minnesota needs to pick up the pieces of what appears to be a lost season. For now, the team will have to adjust to a tough loss and try and bounce back with a divisional win over Detroit in Week 5.

Here are the lowest PFF grades from the Vikings’ loss to the Browns:

Vikings OC Klint Kubiak says Rashod Hill is ‘our guy’ at left tackle

The Vikings are sticking with Rashod Hill.

Minnesota drafted tackle Christian Darrisaw in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. Despite that, Darrisaw has yet to make a start or even an appearance in a game, due to injury.

Though he is back in practice this week, Darrisaw may have to wait awhile before he can land a starting spot in the NFL.

That’s because the Vikings are going with Rashod Hill, according to Minnesota OC Klint Kubiak.

“Rashod is our guy,” Kubiak said. “Good to have Christian back in practice. He’s getting better. He’s only had a few days, so we have to build him up and do it the right way. Really pleased with his progression.”

Hill is the starter for now, but he has a PFF grade of 42.7 through the first three games of the season. The Vikings left tackle spot may become an open competition when Darrisaw gets fully acclimated to the league.

Three matchups to watch in Vikings game vs. Cardinals

Here are some key matchups to watch in the Vikings’ game against the Cardinals.

The Vikings have a tough game against the Cardinals.

Arizona is coming off a 38-13 victory over Tennessee in the regular season opener, while Minnesota is coming off a 27-24 defeat to Cincinnati in Week 1.

The Cardinals have some matchups where they can exploit the Vikings. Minnesota needs some players to step up in order to pull off the upset over Arizona on Sunday.

Here are three key matchups to watch:

Vikings players who need a big game against the Cardinals

Here are some Vikings players who need to step up in Week 2:

The Vikings need a lot of things to change before the team takes on the Cardinals in Week 2.

For starters, the Vikings defense has to get a lot better. The team gave up 27 points to a Bengals team that may not even be good in 2021. Minnesota has to rationalize why the team spent so much money on defense this offseason.

The offense has room for improvement as well. The Vikings offensive line struggled in the regular season opener. And the group as a whole committed costly penalties.

Minnesota is likely playing a better opponent this week. Here are some players who need big games: