Vikings status at defensive line
Minnesota prioritized both sides of the trenches when free agency opened a month ago and did so on defense by signing Pro Bowl tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, formerly with the Commanders and 49ers. Allen and Hargrave add incredible experience to the Vikings DL room (108 and 115 starts, respectively, over eight and nine seasons) and coveted pass-rush abilities, as evidenced by their 42.0 and 45.5 career sacks.
Returning players include 2024 captain Harrison Phillips, who has played in and started all 51 possible regular-season games for Minnesota since joining the team in 2022. He has appeared in 96 overall in seven NFL seasons. The Vikings also have Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez and Taki Taimani. Those three impressed enough in training camp last season to make the initial 53-man roster and wound up playing well in varying roles, with Redmond the flashiest of the trio.
In 2024, Redmond, 26, had a sack and six tackles for loss on a smidge more than 200 snaps. Taimani, a UDFA signing last year, handled some run-down duties early in the campaign before an injury stopped him in his tracks, while 2024 seventh-rounder Drake Rodriguez shined primarily on look squads in Year 1.
The Vikings also have Travis Bell and Jonathan Harris in the fold after they signed futures contracts. Bell was a seventh-round pick of Chicago in 2023 and joined the practice squad in November. Harris, who has played in 40 NFL games, with nine starts, 91 tackles and a sack to his name, did the same in December.
Phillips (29), Allen (30) and Hargrave (32) give Minnesota essential knowledge and leadership in the DL room, plus a dynamic combination of run-stopping and pass-rushing – all of which should help its youth.
Also of note: Veteran DL Jerry Tillery departed after one season with the Vikings, signing a free-agent deal with Kansas City, and 31-year-old Jonathan Bullard is an unrestricted free agent after three seasons repping the Purple.
