Football
and explained, “Tillery couldn’t repeat his career-best season of 2023, as he turned in a 50.2 overall grade. He tallied just 17 pressures and zero sacks across 256 pass-rush reps. The Vikings will be searching for improvement at defensive tackle this offseason.”During the Vikings’ initial pre-summer free-agent push, the franchise added these players last year:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Blake Cashman
- Sam Darnold
- Parker Romo
- Aaron Jones
- Jerry Tillery
- Trent Sherfield
- Dan Feeney
- Shaq Griffin
- Kamu Grugier-Hill
- Jihad Ward
And there are not many swings and misses outside of Tillery.
 against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.</p><p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_25202765.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=804,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_25202765.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_25202765.jpg” alt><figcaption> Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure></div><p>Wasserman called <a href=)
Sam Darnold the best signing and wrote, “The Vikings brought in a mostly outstanding free agent class that spurred them to an outstanding season, but Darnold was the headliner who had a career-best season at quarterback. He earned an excellent 80.7 overall grade, with 34 big-time throws, as he played terrific football before the team’s final two games.”Tillery produced an overall 51.6 PFF grade, ranking 138th of 219 qualifying interior defensive linemen. His 54.3 pass-rush mark lapped a rather poor 51.8 run-stopping score.
” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_15346818.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=866,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_15346818.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_15346818.jpg” alt=”Vikings Offseason”>
To the naked eye, Tillery didn’t represent a terrible performer. He, instead, felt a bit like a placeholder or mediocre asset on an otherwise fantastic defense.
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Tillery in Round 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft, a placement that will follow him until the end of his career. First-round players are supposed to stand off the page, and Tillery, well, has not done so through six seasons. He’s basically a decent football player who has not lived up to Round 1 stock.
 during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center. Tillery joined the Minnesota Vikings in March of 2024 as a free agent and grabbed starting duty for the 2024 season. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.</p><p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24151127.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=1180,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24151127.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24151127.jpg” alt ><figcaption> Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports. <span></span></figcaption></figure></div><p>The Vikings may not prioritize Tillery’s return in 2025 — he’ll be a free agent in March — and if so, the club will need a replacement at defensive tackle. These players could be available in Round 1 or 2 of the upcoming draft:</p><ul><li><strong>Derrick Harmon</strong> (Oregon)</li><li><strong>Shemar Steward</strong> (Texas A&M)</li><li><strong>Walter Nolen </strong>(Ole Miss)</li><li><strong>Tyleik Williams </strong>(Ohio State)</li><li><strong>Deone Walker </strong>(Kentucky)</li></ul><p>And via free agency:</p><ul><li><strong>Poona Ford</strong></li><li><strong>Javon Hargrave</strong></li><li><strong>B.J. Hill</strong></li><li><strong>Osa Odighizuwa</strong></li><li><strong>Levi Onwuzurike</strong></li><li><strong>Jarran Reed</strong></li><li><strong>Milton Williams</strong></li></ul><p>Tillery will turn 29 in June.</p><hr><div><p><a aria-label=)
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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