The Minnesota Vikings were busy on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period, adding a pass rusher as a potential replacement for a three-time Pro Bowler.
Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported on Monday, March 13, that the Vikings had agreed in principal to a deal with edge rusher Marcus Davenport who was most recently a member of the New Orleans Saints.
#Vikings agree to sign pass rusher Marcus Davenport, which could lead to the exit of Za’Darius Smith. Davenport had nine sacks in 11 games for Saints in 2021 but just a half sack in 15 games last year. KMwX9rKQxr
— Chris Tomasson () March 14, 2023
“#Vikings agree to sign pass rusher Marcus Davenport, which could lead to the exit of Za’Darius Smith,” Tomasson wrote. “Davenport had nine sacks in 11 games for the Saints in 2021 but just a half sack in 15 games last year.”
The Vikings acquired Davenport on a bargain for exactly the reason Tomasson noted above — his major dip in production year-over-year from 2021 to 2022. Minnesota will sign the pass rusher to a one-year contract worth $13 million when the NFL free agency period officially opens on March 15.
Vikings Sign Davenport Under Market Value, Maintain Flexibility
GettyOffensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton (left) and defensive end Marcus Davenport (right) of the New Orleans Saints walk off the field after a win over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images)
The Saints selected Davenport out of the University of Texas-San Antonio with the No. 14 overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Davenport produced a breakout season during his fourth campaign in 2021, tallying 21 quarterback pressures, nine sacks and three forced fumbles, per Pro Football Reference. New Orleans had exercised the fifth-year option on the defensive end’s rookie contract the offseason prior, bringing him back to the team in 2022 at the cost of $9.55 million.
Even despite Davenport’s downward spiral last season in a contract year, Spotrac projected his market value this offseason north of $20 million annually over the span of a four-year deal. The Vikings didn’t end …read more
Source:: Heavy.com