” 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\/03\/USATSI_24594921.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/USATSI_24594921.jpg”> It is an area of the team that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed with a couple of big signings, but\u00a0Pro Football Focus<\/a>\u00a0still sees the interior of the defensive line as the Vikings\u2019 biggest need post-free agency. It\u2019s a point that can be argued, but it\u2019s one I am\u00a0prone to agree with<\/a>.<\/p>\n Minnesota signed Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency as they looked to particularly give their interior pass rush a huge boost \u2014 something that has been non-existent in the last couple of seasons.<\/p>\n ” 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\/03\/Jonathan-Allen-3.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=594,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jonathan-Allen-3.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\/03\/Jonathan-Allen-3.jpg” alt=”Vikings Top Need”> Those moves were rightly applauded, but it is hasty to declare that all of Minnesota\u2019s defensive line issues have been solved, particularly in the long term. Add in the current Super Bowl Champions \u2014 Philadelphia Eagles \u2014 being the league\u2019s poster boys for the \u201cyou can\u2019t have too many good players in the trenches\u201d slogan, and continuing to look for more on the defensive line makes sense.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what PFF had to say about their reasoning for selecting an interior defender as the Vikings\u2019 biggest need ;<\/p>\n The Vikings signed\u00a0Javon Hargrave<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Jonathan Allen<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0free agency<\/a>\u00a0to bolster their defensive line. However, both players are on the wrong side of 30 and Allen is coming off back-to-back sub-60.0 PFF overall grades.\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s no longer as dire of a need, but Minnesota would be smart to try to get younger along the interior defensive line. Michigan\u2019s Kenneth Grant would be an ideal selection at No. 24, as he can slot in at nose tackle next to Allen and Hargrave.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n The age of the incoming players is a fair point to make. It won\u2019t be long before Minnesota is looking for younger alternatives, but for this season, at least, Allen and Hargrave should offer more than enough in the pass-rush department. The really interesting bit of this article comes from PFF\u2019s assessment at nose tackle.<\/p>\n Harrison Phillips has been the starting nose tackle in all three seasons since Kevin O\u2019Connell became head coach in Minnesota. He\u2019s been a solid, if unspectacular, presence in the middle of the DL. A lowly 58.8 overall grade would explain why he\u2019s on PFF\u2019s radar to be replaced. His 54.0 run defense grade was surprisingly low. Phillips signed a two-year contract extension last year, keeping him under contract until the end of next season.<\/p>\n ” 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\/11\/USATSI_24730161-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=786,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24730161-1.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\/11\/USATSI_24730161-1.jpg” alt> A rookie like Kenneth Grant to come in alongside Phillips on Minnesota\u2019s depth chart would add real strength to the Vikings. They\u2019d have the insurance of a solid starter in place while bringing in the guy who can overtake and possibly improve in the 29-year-old Phillips. Grant\u2019s athletic ability for a big nose tackle allows him to develop into something special.<\/p>\n Minnesota has other options in the draft at DI, whether picking at 24 or trading back and picking a little later. Unlike Grant, the other options are interior defenders who would play as the three-technique and be the understudies to Allen and Hargrave.<\/p>\n ” 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\/03\/USATSI_25097240.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/USATSI_25097240.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\/03\/USATSI_25097240.jpg” alt> These options include Walter Nolen, Derrick Harmon, Darius Alexander, and T.J. Sanders. Adding one of those four would give the Vikings some serious interior pass-rush firepower. Whoever it is that\u2019s selected when the Vikings are first on the clock. If someone adds to the defensive line, it will get the thumbs up from me. If the Vikings are going to compete with the big guns in the NFC, like the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions, they need to improve in the trenches.<\/p>\n They have done that, but there\u2019s plenty of room to get even better.<\/p>\nPFF Calls Out iDL as Vikings Top Need after Free Agency<\/h4>\n
Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) warms up before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
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Football Should the Vikings Be in Search of a Stud NT?<\/h2>\n
Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips (97) celebrates with the fans after the win against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
Football Other First-Round Options at iDL<\/h2>\n
Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) reacts in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Rose Bowl college football quarterfinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
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