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The writing was on the wall when the Baltimore Ravens added in Michael Brockers but now Michael Pierce has found himself a new home. Pierce is set to sign with the Minnesota Vikings on a three-year deal worth $27 million, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
Baltimore has been revamping their defensive line in the early stages before free agency began. They’ve agreed to terms on a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell, are set to sign Brockers and have re-sign defensive tackle Justin Ellis.
Pierce was one of the Ravens’ golden UDFA stories. Originally signed following the 2016 NFL Draft, Pierce made an immediate impact, playing 36% of Baltimore’s defensive snaps that season and accounting for two sacks and 35 combined tackles. Over his four year tenure with the Ravens, Pierce had 3.5 sacks, 151 combined tackles and four fumble recoveries. While that stat sheet might not be eye-popping, Pierce was often used as a space-eating block in the middle of the line to help in run defense.
Now, Pierce will join a Vikings squad that has gotten quite a lot out of their defensive linemen recently. It’s a change of scenery, a good contract for a UDFA and a chance to show what he can do when asked to rush the quarterback more often.
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