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The Vikings made their first big splash in free agency, signing former Giant Dalvin Tomlinson to a two-year deal valued at $22 million.
The #Vikings are signing former #Giants nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, per his agents @_SportsTrust. The top interior defensive lineman available.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2021
Source: Dalvin Tomlinson to #Vikings
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
2 years, $22M
$20M total guarantee
$16M fully guaranteed
$15M Signing Bonus
$16M First Year
Tomlinson is a 6’3”, 320 pound defensive tackle that most likely will play 3-technique next to Michael Pierce at nose tackle. The duo could prove to be the most dominant defensive tackle duo the Vikings have had since the Williams Wall of the mid-2000s.
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Dalvin Tomlinson is coming off his rookie contract, and just turned 27 last month. He was a 2nd round pick in 2017 out of Alabama, and according to PFF, Tomlinson has graded at least 75.1 in each of his four seasons with the Giants. He also has not missed a game due to injury in those four seasons.
Here is a link to a breakdown of Tomlinson’s 2020 game film.
Tomlinson can also play nose tackle, and that versatility has been valued by Vikings’ Defensive Line Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator Andre Patterson. Tomlinson’s signing puts the status of Shamar Stephen in question, as Tomlinson would likely take Stephen’s position as starting 3-technique.
This looks to be a good signing at a position, and position group, in most need after last season. The Vikings have continued to make moves to free up cap space, so there could be more Vikings free agent moves in the days to come.
Stay tuned.