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Vikings Targeting Top Defensive Tackles in Free Agency and Both Get After QBs
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- Vikings Targeting Top Defensive Tackles in Free Agency and Both Get After QBs
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The Minnesota Vikings have yet to make a decision on Sam Darnold , and whether or not to slap the franchise tag on him by the deadline, Tuesday. And while the QB mystery rightfully remains on the top of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's offseason to-do list, they continue to push forward with other tasks as well.
Outside of quarterback, the Vikings ' biggest needs are in the trenches. In 2024, this team exceeded expectations at just about every position… other than on their interior defensive and offensive lines, specifically their two guard positions on offense and defensive tackle on defense.
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Over the next two months, as the league weaves through 2025 free agency (starts March 12) and the NFL Draft (April 24-27), those at the top of the decision-making pyramid in Eagan have verbally committed to bulking up the interior in ways they have not, since this regime took over in 2022.
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Minnesota Vikings looking to add lots of talent on interior defensive line
And according to Alec Lewis (The Athletic) , the Minnesota Vikings are already locking in on at least a couple of top defensive tackles — Milton Williams (Eagles) and Javon Hargrave ( 49ers ) — who sit atop the free agency board, from a talent perspective.
But the main takeaway from Alec's iDL scoops this morning: Kwesi and defensive coordinator Brian Flores are going to make this team better on the defensive interior this offseason, and they're not trying to stop at one impact acquisition. They want multiple upgrades, and they're starting with the top two defensive interior linemen on the market, both of which specialize in putting pressure on the passer from up the middle.
Multiple team sources reiterated the team's commitment to adding players — emphasis on the plurality — to strengthen Minnesota's ability to push the interior of the pocket. Milton Williams, who starred in the Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles , could be in play depending on his asking price in free agency. Another interesting candidate who flies in the face of the Vikings' typical free-agent checklist is Javon Hargrave, who is 32 and played minimally in 2024 because of a partially torn right triceps.
Vikings targeting No. 1 free agent iDL, Milton Williams
Not only is Milton Williams the best defensive tackle available this offseason, he's a top 5 talent across the entire free agency market, according to The Athletic , which ranked him the No. 4 overall free agent, after the NFL Combine. At 26 years old , Williams is also the youngest of available interior defensive linemen this offseason.
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Related: Minnesota Vikings Zeroing in on Daniel Jones…?
One of the most intriguing aspects of Williams' upside has been his ability to stay healthy. The former 3rd round pick out of Louisiana Tech has played in all but one game of the 68 possible games the Philadelphia Eagles have played since drafting him in 2021.
In four seasons, Milton Williams has totalled 11.5 sackes and 132 tackles in those 67 total games, 25 of those tackles were for loss. According to PFF , Williams was not good as a run-stopper last season (43.1 run defense grade). In 2022 and 2023, his rush defense grades were a much more impressive 75.7 and 72.3, respectively.
Milton Williams like that 👀 pic.twitter.com/7Nqt1fLLO5
— blande (@JustBlande) March 3, 2025
Williams' ability to get after the quarterback in 2024, however, was more of a super power than it was a talent. If you believe in PFF grades , you're gonna love Williams' 90.4 pass rush grade last season. which ranked 2nd among all interior defenders.
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MN Vikings also interested in No. 2 defensive tackle, Javon Hargrave
Alec Lewis mentioned in his article that the Minnesota Vikings want to add multiple impact players on the interior defensive line, which means it's possible Kwesi and Flores double up at the top of the DT market, and sign both Milton Williams and Javon Hargrave… but don't count on it.
Hargrave would be the older option of the two. He is 32 years old , and he has played all over the NFL, starting his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers , before stops in Philadelphia and San Francisco . He made Pro Bowls in the first year of both stops. The Minnesota Vikings would love for him to continue that pattern here.
Related: Vikings Met With Top Quarterback at NFL Combine
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In three seasons between 2021-2023 , Hargrave racked up an incredible 25.5 sacks, 167 tackles and 48 QB hits. His PFF pass rush grades those seasons were 91.5, 90.8 and 87.2 respectively. As mentioned before, it's clear the Vikings are hot after interior pass rushers, this offseason, even more so than those who specialize in stopping the run.
Javon Hargrave racks up the sack! pic.twitter.com/Q0BTZq1Xy2
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) September 22, 2024
Last season, Javon Hargrave suffered a partially torn right tricep, during the Niners Week 3 game against the LA Rams on September 22, that cost him the rest of the season. Prior to that injury, he had played at least 15 games in all of his eight NFL seasons.
More than likely, the Vikings are hoping to add one of these two players, and then fill in with Harrison Phillips and another really good high-ceiling player in the draft or at a lower price in free agency. No matter, it's clear that beefing up the interior isn't just talk. They're serious about fixing this long overdue problem.
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