Free agent defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson has agreed to a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. This signing removes one of the most sought-after defensive players off the open market this free agency period.
Source: Dalvin Tomlinson to #Vikings
2 years, $22M
$20M total guarantee
$16M fully guaranteed
$15M Signing Bonus
$16M First Year— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
Dalvin Tomlinsson, Minnesota Vikings, Agree to Contract
Tomlinson is an attractive free agent candidate because he is young (26-years old) and a dominant defender who brings instant credibility to a team’s defensive unit. No question, there were going to be plenty of suitors for his services this offseason.
The New York Giants drafted Tomlinson in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has been one of the best interior defensive linemen since his debut in the league. Tomlinson recorded 207 tackles and has not missed a game in his six-year NFL career. Plus, Tomlinson was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
He came out of Alabama as an outstanding run defender, but not much as a pass rusher. Instead of being content with the label as a “one-dimensional” player, Tomlinson went to work in becoming one of the most versatile defensive linemen in the NFL today.
He has received league-wide recognition for his hard work on the practice field and in the film room. It helped Tomlinson to improve getting to the quarterback from the defensive tackle position. He recorded 3.5 sacks in each of his last two seasons, which gives him eight sacks for his NFL career.
Opposing coaches are amazed at how proficient Tomlinson is at taking on two blockers off the snap of the football on most offensive plays. His effectiveness give teammates an open lane to tackle a ball carrier or pressure the quarterback in the pocket. Tomlinson’s outstanding play helped the Giants to become one of the top NFL red-zone defenses in 2020. The unit ranked third in touchdowns (50.8%) allowed in the league last season. Time and time again, Tomlinson was an immovable object off the line of scrimmage in short yardage situations.
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