Two Vikings rank among PFF's top free agents for the 2023 offseason
For a team having as much success as the Minnesota Vikings have had this season, it’s no surprise that multiple players are already drawing attention for the 2023 offseason. Pro Football Focus released an article on Monday naming the top free agents for the upcoming cycle. PFF’s Brad Spielberger authored the article, 2023 NFL Free […]
For a team having as much success as the Minnesota Vikings have had this season, it’s no surprise that multiple players are already drawing attention for the 2023 offseason.
Pro Football Focus released an article on Monday naming the top free agents for the upcoming cycle. PFF’s Brad Spielberger authored the article, 2023 NFL Free Agent Rankings: Top 25 players set to enter free agency.
The Vikings had two veteran playmakers crack the list in defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and cornerback Patrick Peterson.
PFF on Dalvin Tomlinson:
“Tomlinson has been shuffled around on the interior after playing mostly nose tackle with the New York Giants to start his career, with Minnesota lining him up more as a three-technique when playing alongside Michael Pierce or Harrison Phillips. Tomlinson had never missed five tackles in a season prior to 2022, with his 83.0 run-defense grade since 2017 a top-15 mark at the position, but already has five in the seven games he’s played.”
“Unfortunately, Tomlinson has been out with an injury since Week 8. He's still on pace for a career-best 80.7 pass-rush grade and a sixth straight season to start his career grading above 74.0 overall. He’s a better fit as a zero- or one-technique, with his 51 tackles for loss or no gain since 2017 the third-most among interior players and with his pass-rush upside better deployed as an added benefit but not the primary feature.”
Interior talents like Tomlinson don’t grow on trees. However, run-stopping nose tackles don’t often break the bank. According to Spotrac, Tomlinson’s market value is projected at $8.5 million per year.
PFF on Patrick Peterson:
On the other hand, Peterson has been a dominant corner since entering the league in 2011. The eight-time Pro Bowler is having one of his most efficient seasons of his 12-year career.
PFF’s excerpt on Peterson will help properly gauge just how valuable he has been in Minnesota.
“Peterson’s 82.8 grade through Week 12 would be the highest-graded season of his illustrious 12-year career, an impressive accomplishment this far down the road. Peterson has intercepted 6.5% of passes thrown into his coverage, the third-best mark in the NFL, but his value is seen outside of just the turnovers. Peterson’s 85.9 coverage grade trails only New York Jets rookie phenom Sauce Gardner, with his 0.79 yards per coverage snap allowed also a top-10 mark.”
“The Vikings' cornerback situation outside of Peterson this season has been a struggle almost every week, and his consistent performance is a major reason they’ve been able to win close games despite not looking like a true top team based on various underlying metrics.”
Spotrac lists Peterson’s market value at just $6.4 million per year, though any deal he signs from this point forward is likely a one-year contract. However, it’s clear that the 32-year-old cornerback still has plenty of gas left in his tank.
Featured image via Jeffrey Becker – USA TODAY Sports
