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One EDGE Rusher Makes the Most Sense for Vikings
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- One EDGE Rusher Makes the Most Sense for Vikings
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
While Jadeveon Clowney makes a whole lot of sense for the Minnesota Vikings ' roster in 2026 — he was damn effective in 2025 — free-agent outside linebacker Leonard Floyd might be the familiar fit due to his connection to head coach Kevin O'Connell.
Minnesota needs one more pass rusher, and Floyd checks the price, production, and familiarity boxes.
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O'Connell won a Super Bowl with Floyd in 2021, and current Vikings outside linebackers coach Thad Boragus served as the Los Angeles Rams ' assistant linebackers coach on the same squad.
Floyd's Experience Would Fit behind Van Ginkel and Turner
Would you endorse Floyd to Minnesota?
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Leonard Floyd lines up and tracks the play during a late-season matchup against the Detroit Lions, staying engaged on Dec 30, 2024, in Santa Clara, California, as the veteran edge presence contributed to defensive efforts at Levi's Stadium in a key NFC contest. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images.
The Need for an OLB3
On Friday, April 24th, the Vikings sent Jonathan Greenard and a 7th-Round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 3rd-Round pick and a 2027 3rd-Round pick. The trade transformed the Vikings' OLB room from the strongest and deepest spot on the depth chart to one that needed attention. That is — with Greenard in the mix, Minnesota EDGEs were fantastic; now, they're decent but one injury away from sheer panic.
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Therefore, probably from free agency, Minnesota needs an OLB3 to complement Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner .
Thanks to his aforementioned ties to the Vikings' coaching staff , Floyd has the preexisting link that is often present when a free agent signs with a new team. Think of it this way: O'Connell can probably call Floyd tonight without any unfamiliarity.
Floyd's Background
Floyd is battle-tested; let's just get that out there. He started 15 games for the Atlanta Falcons last year and is also one of the most durable veteran EDGEs in the league.
Here's his Pro Football Focus resume, with grades and yearly pressures:
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2025: 60.1(ATL) | Pressures: 36
2024: 53.9(SF) | Pressures: 44
2023: 58.7(BUF) | Pressures: 45
2022: 65.7(LA) | Pressures: 54
2021: 73.8(LA) | Pressures: 73
2020: 69.5(LA) | Pressures: 55
2019: 69.6(CHI) | Pressures: 39
2018: 69.6(CHI) | Pressures: 39
2017: 63.8(CHI) | Pressures: 36
2016: 66.3(CHI) | Pressures: 36
And sacks per season:
2025: 3.5(ATL)
2024: 8.5(SF)
2023: 10.5(BUF)
2022: 9.0(LA)
2021: 9.5(LA)
2020: 10.5(LA)
2019: 3.0(CHI)
2018: 4.0(CHI)
2017: 4.5(CHI)
2016: 7.0(CHI)
With these numbers, the man might be the perfect OLB3, especially at this late stage of his career.
Back in March, after the first initial wave of free agency, Fox Sports linked Floyd to the Carolina Panthers , noting, "This is ideal, as in 'ideal and reasonably within their budget.' They're not all $20 million signings, and Carolina is barely under the cap entering free agency."
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"Edge rusher is arguably the biggest positional need, and Floyd played well with the Rams in 2020-21 when Evero Eijro was there. Last season was a down year, but he'd gotten at least eight sacks in five straight years before that, and could bounce back as a solid value impact for an improved Panthers defense. Only two NFL teams had fewer sacks than Carolina's 30 last year, with no Panthers player getting more than five."
The Price
During free agency of 2025, the Falcons scooped Floyd off the open market for $10 million. Playing 15 games with 36 pressures was probably worth the investment for a club that needed a veteran outside linebacker .
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd reacts during defensive action against the Arizona Cardinals, staying active near the line of scrimmage on Dec 13, 2021, in Glendale, Arizona, as he worked to disrupt the offense at State Farm Stadium in an NFC West divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
At the moment, Minnesota is arguably in the same position. Spotrac estimates Floyd's market value at $8.9 million, which checks out, given an extra year of age for an EDGE who probably won't start for the Vikings in 2026, instead providing depth behind Van Ginkel and Turner.
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Minnesota has about $16 million in cap space as of May 6th, money that will be heavily allocated to a draft class nine players deep. Still, the Vikings can restructure a contract or two or perhaps extend some veterans while lowering their 2026 cap hits.
Floyd at $8 million or $9 million is very doable, and the value is undeniable.
Other EDGEs on the Market
What's more, if the Vikings want another outside linebacker, but Floyd isn't the best option, there are still a litany of decent routes. Excluding Floyd, the free-agent EDGE market looks like this:
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Jadeveon Clowney
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd celebrates on the field after a Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, taking in the moment on Feb 13, 2022, in Inglewood, California, as the Rams secured the Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium following a championship performance. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Clowney would also be a remarkable option, after he totaled 8.5 sacks with the Dallas Cowboys last year while playing about one-third of the Cowboys' defensive snaps.
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Based on coach ties, though, Floyd remains the safest predictive bet. He'll turn 34 right after Week 1 in September.
