Tag: Shamar Stephen

Vikings address defensive line with both first-round picks in mock draft

The Vikings are now loaded with two first-round picks after trading wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Bills.

The Vikings are now equipped with two first-round picks after trading wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Bills.

Minnesota will have Buffalo’s 22nd pick, along with its own 25th pick.

In Lance Zierlein’s recent mock draft at NFL.com, he has the Vikings addressing the defensive line with both picks.

With the 22nd pick, Zierlein has the Vikings taking Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos. This pick is under the assumption that Everson Griffen leaves in free-agency.

Here’s what Zierlein wrote about the pick:

With Everson Griffen exploring free agency, the Vikings could look to fill the void here. Gross-Matos is an ascending defensive end with traits and rush potential waiting to be developed.

With the 25th pick, Zierlein has the Vikings taking TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock.

Here’s what Zierlein wrote about the pick:

The Vikings know they can find receiver talent outside of the first round, but finding an interior pass rusher like Blacklock won’t be as easy.

The Vikings cut Linval Joseph in free-agency, but found his replacement in Michael Pierce. Even so, the Vikings could use an upgrade next to Pierce, where Shamar Stephen started last season.

A look at Linval Joseph’s career earnings

The Vikings cut ties with defensive tackle Linval Joseph on Friday afternoon.

The Vikings cut ties with defensive tackle Linval Joseph on Friday afternoon.

The move was somewhat expected with the Vikings’ tight cap situation.

Joseph, a 2010 second-round pick, is 31 years old and spent the first four years of his career before playing the last six with the Vikings, making the Pro Bowl in 2016 and 2017.

Joseph now hits the market as a free agent. It seems like there’s at least an outside chance he returns to Minnesota, but he’ll likely get a bigger deal elsewhere.

How much has Joseph made throughout his career?

Per Spotrac, that number is just shy of $50 million. Nearly $46 million of that came from the Vikings.

Who will replace Joseph in the starting lineup if he doesn’t return? That’s a great question. Shamar Stephen started alongside him last season and was fine, but the Vikings are probably looking for an improvement there as well.

The draft and free agency should be pretty interesting for Rick Spielman and his crew.

Vikings’ free-agency watch: Defensive tackles

Is there a chance the Vikings could be looking for two new starting interior defensive lineman?

Under contract:

The Vikings will have everyone on the interior of their defensive line back in 2020, led by starters Linval Joseph and Shamar Stephen.

Jaleel Johnson, Jalyn Holmes and Armon Watts round out that group.

Free-agent(s):

Nobody! But that doesn’t mean everyone will be back . . .

Cap casualty?

There are a few candidates here.

Joseph, 31, is the best out of this bunch, but also the most likely to be a cap casualty. Joseph has a cap hit of $12.8 million and the Vikings could cut him and save more than $10 million. I would expect the Vikings to restructure his deal rather than a full-on release.

Stephen, who underperformed in his first year back with the Vikings, has a cap hit of $5 million and the Vikings would save nearly $2.5 million if they cut ties with him.

Johnson, Holmes and Watts could all be let go for a very minor penalty, so they are all fair game as well.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen returns to practice

Thielen looks on track to play on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks in Week 13.

Good news for Vikings fans.

After being in and out of the lineup with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 7, Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen was back at practice on Tuesday, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

Thielen looks on track to play on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks in Week 13.

Guard Josh Kline (concussion) was also back at practice.

Those not practicing included nose tackle Linval Joseph, defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, linebacker Ben Gedeon, safety Anthony Harris, defensive end Everson Griffen and safety Harrison Smith.

We know that Joseph is still recovering from a knee surgery, Gedeon is dealing with a concussion and Harris missed Week 11 with a groin injury.

We still have six days until the Vikings kick off against the Seahawks, so probably nothing to look too much into quite yet.