What initially looked like an uneventful day for the Vikings turned interesting fast when it was announced the team had come to terms with free agent defensive tackle Linval Joseph.
The former New York Giant fills a major need for the team and Mike Zimmer's brand of defense
Joseph, 25, is a massive run-stopping tackle listed at 6-feet-four-inches and 323 lbs. Joseph excels at occupying blockers and stuffing the run, and he will likely be the Vikings starter at nose tackle in 2013.
Joseph was highly rated by Pro Football Focus, and was their No. 21 overall defensive tackle in 2013. Joseph won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2011, but it seemed like the Giants thought he was too expensive to retain.
Joseph was rated at the 10th overall free agent by the Monday Morning Quarterback. NFL.com ranked him No. 21.
Joseph received a 5 year, $31.5 million deal from the Vikings according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. While the Wilfs certainly opened up their wallet, considering 30-year-old Pat Solai signed a deal with the same number of years but more money earlier I say this deal is a definite win for Speilman.
Joseph will pair with Sharrif Floyd to form a starting defensive tackle tandem the Vikings will hope is the new version of the Williams wall. Since Joseph is still young, he has the potential to develop even further under Mike Zimmer.
Joseph's signing seems to cement the Vikings starting front four in 2014: Griffen, Joseph, Floyd and Robison.
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