4 Players the Vikings Need to Target to Replace Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph
By Brady Williams
In one fell swoop, the Minnesota Vikings cut two veterans, Xavier Rhodes and Linval Joseph, from their defense. Rhodes had a down year in 2019, but Joseph has been a fairly consistent force on their defensive line for years. The move saves them plenty of money, but now they have two positions of need to fill (which was, arguably, the case when Rhodes was still rostered, too). Luckily, the NFL has some great options floating around in free agency.
4. Michael Pierce
In 2019, Michael Pierce was given a grade of 69.1 by Pro Football Focus. It was a relatively down year for the guy who at one point obtained a rating of 91. Furthermore, he's only recorded 3.5 sacks in his career, but all of these factors demonstrate why the Vikings could get him cheap. He's the prime example of a sneaky good player. He plugs up the defensive line and demands attention, leaving his teammates free to work. He would be a valuable asset in the run defense.
3. Morris Claiborne
Claiborne missed a significant chunk of time in the Kansas City Chiefs' historic season because of an early suspension and a late injury. All signs are pointing to him leaving, and Minnesota would be a good home for him. In fact, he met with the Vikings prior to last season before signing with the Chiefs. He's a 30-year-old veteran of the league, and that kind of experience would be a nice addition to the locker room. He's shown he can be productive in the past, and if he's 100% after his injury, he could be a great and affordable option.
2. D.J. Reader
On the expensive end of things, D.J. Reader had a great 2019. He's set to get a big payday, and even if the primary factory in cutting Linval Joseph was money, they should still consider Reader, who's a vast improvement on the field, at this point in his career. He recorded 52 tackles and two and a half sacks in 2019. He's a breakout star who keeps improving. He's also six years younger than Joseph. If they want longevity and productivity, Reader is the best choice.
1. Byron Jones
Similar to Reader, the Vikings should hire Jones if they're looking to have a changing of the guard in Minnesota and upgrade. If cost isn't the main problem, Reader and Jones are simply better versions of Rhodes and Joseph. The Cowboys have to pay Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott, and if Jones gets the massive paycheck he's expected to, it's impossible for Dallas to be the ones paying it. He's worth every penny, so why doesn't Minnesota do it?