2026 Free Agency and Draft: DL

The Vikings just make too much damn sense as the team to give Christian Wilkins a prove-it contract.

— Brian Flores's first draft pick in MIA? Wilkins.
— Vikings just released 2 of their starting DTs.
— High-upside, low-risk on a skinny MIN budget. pic.twitter.com/sRAusEF5C1

— Dustin Baker (@DustBaker) March 23, 2026

I was higher on him last year then now...

But man, we need IDL bodies.

For some reason I thought he's been in the league longer than he has:

2024 (LV): 17 Tackles, 2 Sacks (Through early season)
2023 (MIA): 65 Tackles, 9.0 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2022 (MIA): 98 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles
2021 (MIA): 89 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2020 (MIA): 47 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2019 (MIA): 56 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks (Rookie Season)

purplefaithful wrote:
I was higher on him last year then now... But man, we need IDL bodies.

For some reason I thought he's been in the league longer than he has:

2024 (LV): 17 Tackles, 2 Sacks (Through early season)
2023 (MIA): 65 Tackles, 9.0 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2022 (MIA): 98 Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles
2021 (MIA): 89 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2020 (MIA): 47 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
2019 (MIA): 56 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks (Rookie Season)

Same. He's another year older, but it's a lot like the Murray signing. The cost vs. potential benefit math is intriguing. If the Vikings do sign him, we would then have three of the players drafted in the top 13 that year in Kyler, TJH and Wilkins. Daniel Jones was in that group too.

It's not really saying much, but Gracen Halton might be the best pass rushing DT in this class. 

Gracen Halton being explosive pic.twitter.com/4xjwyI2TxS

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) March 14, 2026

🎥Film Breakdown🎥

Gracen Halton, DT - Oklahoma

6’3 | 193

-40-Yard Dash: 4.82s
-10-Yard Split: 1.70s
-Vertical Jump: 36.5”
-Broad Jump: 9’6”
-3-Cone Drill: 8.09s
-20-Yard Shuttle: 4.79s

30 pressures and 3.5 sacks in 2025 earning 2nd team All-SEC. pic.twitter.com/f2z8atryeC

— Chris Cooper (@ChrisCooper_NFL) March 3, 2026

Lol, how many DL put up great tape playing LSU's OL last year?

MaroonBells wrote:
https://x.com/DustBaker/status/2036102559790751763?s=20

Id bring him in immediately.  Low cost and high reward.  It's MN.  Kissing guys isn't as big of a deal as it is in Vegas and for the Raiders ;)  JOKES!

Something to think about....

Gracen Halton 6-3, 293, 4.82 forty, 1.7 split. 
Jalen Redmond 6-2, 291, 4.81 forty, 1.71 split

Currently my favorite nose in the draft...

Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter isnt a typical space eating NT. At 6'4 330 he moves well & is at his best when attacking upfield

Good short area burst to get into the backfield and has the upper body strength to push the pocket and flashes dominate reps vs run & pass #BuildingTheBoard pic.twitter.com/2iYOYRrDOj

— Steve Letizia (@CFCBears) March 7, 2026

MaroonBells wrote:
Here's a guy not many Viking fans are talking about because he's most often listed as an edge. But this is no edge. He could be a 4-3 base end or 3T, or a 3-4 5T or 4i, which is where I get interested. 

Kedric Faulk, 6-6, 276 at the combine, but has played 6-6, 285. Ran a 4.73. Is currently ranked 18th on the consensus boards. 

Some more info from NFL Draft Buzz. 

"Alignment versatility allows defensive coordinators to deploy him from 5-technique, 4i, 3-technique, or even standing up on the edge, creating pre-snap confusion and matchup advantages."

ESPN had a Rd1 mock on the radio today...

Faulk at 18 went to MN. 

I still think he's too small for an IDL, but BFlo would have a plan for him if he is drafted here. 

I also thought Emanwori was a S the Vikes should pass over, what do I know???

purplefaithful wrote:

ESPN had a Rd1 mock on the radio today...

Faulk at 18 went to MN. 

I still think he's too small for an IDL, but BFlo would have a plan for him if he is drafted here. 

I also thought Emanwori was a S the Vikes should pass over, what do I know???

He's an intriguing fit. I think "IDL" on a 3-4 is kind of a misnomer. I know we're a hybrid and use four down linemen frequently, but in the base 3-4, it's most often a nose and two 5-techs, isn't it? I think the 5t's and 4i's are typically a little taller and thinner than the typical 4-3 3T Viking fans have been watching for the better part of 60 years. 

The last one we drafted was Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

TID's combine: 6-5, 276, 33 arms, 4.86
Faulk's combine: 6-5, 276, 34 arms, 4.67

If Kayden McDonald slides to early/mid-round 2, I'd run to the podium or move up a couple spots for him. I think he's going to be a hell of a pro with NFL coaching and has more upside than a run stuffing machine. Lateral quickness underrated. He's thick as hell and moves everyone. Watch how much better TI Dawkins would get next to him. McDonald's potential reminds me of a young Javon Hargrave, motivated and confident. Just a touch less the athlete of Javon however but more stout.

StickierBuns wrote:
If Kayden McDonald slides to early/mid-round 2, I'd run to the podium or move up a couple spots for him. I think he's going to be a hell of a pro with NFL coaching and has more upside than a run stuffing machine. Lateral quickness underrated. He's thick as hell and moves everyone. Watch how much better TI Dawkins would get next to him. McDonald's potential reminds me of a young Javon Hargrave, motivated and confident. Just a touch less the athlete of Javon however but more stout.

There are three nose tackle body types that look to go somewhere in the late 1st, early 2nd. If'n Flores is ready to finally take one...

Kayden McDonald - 6-2, 326
Lee Hunter - 6-4, 318
Caleb Banks - 6-6, 327

This year's Moritz Bohringer? 

6-5, 310, 4.6 forty, 36-inch arms, 11-inch hands, 41-inch vertical, 6% body fat. 

This is the biggest freak athlete in this year’s NFL draft. I’d never heard of him till two days ago. He’s from a small village in Nigeria. He is 6-4 1/2, 306 lbs and jumps 10-10. Some folks in the NFL think he’ll go on Day 3 of the draft. Free story: https://t.co/tgiQdpjikh pic.twitter.com/aFgq5FUjNV

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 3, 2026

If K1 has any type of relationship with Calisis Campbell, I’d move heaven and earth to get him here. Still extremely productive and an excellent locker room guy. Pair him with Zx. Harris late Day 3 along with Woods or Miller in round 2. 

Giddy up

Not enough people talking about Nick Barrett #93 South Carolina. Heavy hands in the run game, violently disengages off blocks. Rushes with power and this last clip you see his athletic ability on the scoop and score pic.twitter.com/moL9uClNJu

— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) April 4, 2026

I think Caleb Banks is on my short list for the Vikings. I known people worry about the foot, but the athleticism at his size is an excellent fit for what we do.

I think what we're really looking for is a pass rushing DT that can also hold up against the run, and I think thats why he's a better fit than a guy like McDonald.

Well hey now...

ESPN sources: Giants All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade and he will not be participating in the team’s off-season workout program that opens Tuesday.

Lawrence and the Giants have been through two off seasons attempting to negotiate a contract… pic.twitter.com/WUSTNxmeGh

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2026

MaroonBells wrote:
Well hey now...

ESPN sources: Giants All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade and he will not be participating in the team’s off-season workout program that opens Tuesday.

Lawrence and the Giants have been through two off seasons attempting to negotiate a contract… pic.twitter.com/WUSTNxmeGh

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2026

Fck..

He's just what we need too.

purplefaithful wrote:

Fck..

He's just what we need too.

He sure is. DTs like Lawrence are unicorns. To paraphrase Barton Fink, we need someone who can give us that Dexter Lawrence-like impact. And since he's Dexter Lawrence, I'm guessing he has it in spades.

Well, that would certainly shore up the iDL. Get those two pending restructures done and figure out the comp. Might not be as steep as you think.