Three Different Ways the Vikings Could Bolster Their Defensive Tackle Room

Outside of quarterback, the Vikings' biggest remaining need this offseason is at defensive tackle, where they could desperately use an impact player to complement Harrison Phillips. You could also make a case for cornerback, but the addition of Shaquill Griffin to a room featuring Byron Murphy Jr. and Mekhi Blackmon at least gives Minnesota a solid starting trio. It's hard to say the same about the DT group.

The Vikings have Phillips, a solid veteran nose tackle who they hope won't have to play 800-plus snaps in 2024 like he did a year ago. They brought back Jonathan Bullard, a replacement-level run-stuffer who played over 600 snaps this past season. Jerry Tillery, the Vikings' most prominent DT addition in free agency, is a former first-round pick who has some upside but has been largely mediocre in his career. 2023 fourth-round pick Jaquelin Roy is the only other player of note in the room. At this juncture, it might be the weakest defensive tackle group in the entire league.

Here are three different ways the Vikings could provide a boost to their DT group this offseason.

Draft a DT in the first round

If the Vikings trade picks 11 and 23 (and perhaps more) to move into the top five for a quarterback, this option is off the table. But in the conceivable event that no trade materializes and they stay put, they could look to target a defensive tackle with one of their top picks and dip into the second tier of quarterbacks with the other. Either Byron Murphy II from Texas or Johnny Newton from Illinois would be a big-time addition who can rush the passer. Murphy is an option at 11, while Newton might make it to 23.

Recommended target: Byron Murphy II, Texas

Murphy could be exactly what Minnesota's defense needs, someone who can provide pressure up the middle to support new edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Plus, Brian Flores is known for dialing up exotic blitzes that confuse offensive lines which could help the Texas product rack up some easy sacks as a rookie.
Matt Holder, Bleacher Report

Draft a DT in the later rounds

If the Vikings do move up for a quarterback, they might not make another selection until Day 3. At the moment, they've got the two first-round picks but nothing in the second or third. So if they want to tap into the Day 2 tier of defensive tackles — which includes players like Braden Friske, T'Vondre Sweat, Kris Jenkins, and Ruke Orhorhoro — they would need to trade back. If not, they may have to go back to the well in the fourth or fifth round and look for a defensive tackle with upside after taking Roy in the fourth last year.

A couple intriguing options who could be available outside the top 100 picks are Ohio State's Michael Hall Jr. and Duke's DeWayne Carter.

Recommended target: DeWayne Carter, Duke

Carter is an explosive interior defender who has the upside to develop into a starter down the road. He had 47 tackles and 10 run stops last season.
Jordan Reid, ESPN

Sign another DT in free agency

The Vikings made a few minor moves to address their DT room in March, retaining Bullard while adding Tillery and Jonah Williams. Gone are Dean Lowry (Steelers) and Khyiris Tonga (Cardinals). Although the options aren't great after the first wave of free agency, there are still a handful of veterans out there who could help the Vikings and raise their floor of production up front. The most intriguing of the bunch might be Teair Tart, who was surprisingly released by the Titans last December in his fourth season with the team. Across 520 snaps in 2022, he earned a 73.1 PFF grade with 26 pressures, 1.5 sacks, and six pass breakups. Tart's a big body who would provide more pass rush juice than Bullard as a potential starter alongside Phillips.

Recommended target: Teair Tart

Teair Tart could slide in next to Harrison Phillips — or spell him as a nose tackle — and throw a big body in the middle of the defensive line. Tart had seven tackles for loss against the run last season, which ranked sixth among all defensive linemen. Any beef along the line could help Minnesota, who will use all of its smaller bodies to blitz the quarterback in Brian Flores’ defense.
Dan Pizzuta, The 33rd Team

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