Vikings add to Defensive Line and other notes from this week

Pending the passage of a physical, the Vikings will add another piece to their defensive line via free agency.

Former Saints defensive end and tackle Tom Johnson has agree to a one year deal with the team, according to Tom Pelissero of the USA Today, and now all that's left is for Johnson to get medically cleared.

Johnson's deal is worth approximately $845,000 according to Pelissero. Johnson, 29, was undrafted in 2006, but after being cut by the Indianapolis Colts he bounced around the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League before making his NFL debut in 2011 with the Saints.

Last year, in limited snaps Johnson managed to make 12 tackles and record two sacks for the team.

Johnson's signing is a move to add extra competition for the backup defensive tackle spot, as the Vikings had few bodies at the position outside of starter Shariff Floyd at undertackle. Johnson should be able to provide depth while pushing some younger players the team is likely to add in the coming months.

Other Vikings notes from this week:

• Jerome Simpson received a one-year, $1 million contract from the Vikings, and there's no penalties if the team decides to cut him, so one slip up and he's gone
• Free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton signed with the Cowboys on Tuesday, after meeting with the Vikings last week. It's not surprising to see Melton end up with Dallas, as Texas is home for him and the Cowboys could likely offer him more playing time.
• Offensive lineman Vlad Ducasse visited Winter Park Tuesday morning but left without a deal. Unsurprising since the team resigned guard Charlie Johnson last week.
• The entire Vikings contigent (Mike Zimmer, Norv Turner and Rick Speilman) were on hand to witness the pro days of two of the draft's top quarterbacks: Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles. Zimmer also visited Floridas's pro day Tuesday in person. The team spoke to Bridgewater privately before his workout and will likely speak to Bortles privately at some point before the draft.
• Kevin Williams is still hoping for a deal from the Vikings (or any team for that matter), but he told the Pioneer Press the team's interest has diminished after signing Linval Joseph
• The Vikings have approximately $16 million in cap space left, with the deals for C. Johnson and T. Johnson left to be counted, meaning the actual total is around $12.7 million