Vikings Sign Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to Boost Defense: NFL Free Agency Update

Mar 11, 2024, 4:46 p.m. ET

The agents of the defender, who enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023 with the Texans, reported the agreement

Los Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract with the free agent defensive end of the Houston Texans, Jonathan Greenardhis agents revealed Drew Rosenhaus y Robert Bailey a Adam Schefter de ESPN.

Los Vikings They also add the former linebacker of the Miami Dolphins, Andrew Van Ginkelfor an agreement of two seasons and 20 million dollars, including 14 million guaranteed, they said Rosenhaus y Ryan Matha a Schefter.

The agreements with Greenard y Van Ginkel They arrive with the two best quarterback rushers in the world. Vikings —Danielle Hunter y DJ Wonnum— heading into unrestricted free agency.

Jonathan Greenard led the Texans in sacks, while the defense set a team-high for sacks for a season (46) in ’23. Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Los Vikings They also added the free agent linebacker of the Texans, Blake Cashmanthrough a three-year agreement, a source informed Kevin Seifert of ESPN.

Greenard, 26, has 23 career sacks, but was at his best in his contract season, the contract year. He posted career highs in sacks (12.5), tackles (52), quarterback hits (22), tackles for loss (15) and games played (15).

He led the Texans in sacks, while the defense achieved a team record in sacks for a season (46).

Selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft for the Texans, Greenard He was also effective against the run last year. He had the third-highest run stop rate (37 percent) among wings with at least 200 snaps, and a 22.4 percent win rate against blocks on pass plays. (the sixth highest).

Editorial Selections

A problem for Greenard is that he has dealt with injuries in each of the campaigns of his career, never having played more than 15 games in a season. He has played in 48 of 67 possible games in his career. But, in his last 35 games, Greenard He has totaled 22 captures.

Van Ginkel quickly became a favorite among fans of the Dolphins in 2023, finishing with a career-high six sacks, while filling in for the injured starter Jaelan Phillips.

A fifth-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, Van GinkelThe 28-year-old recorded 31 hurries and broke up 13 pass dropbacks in 290 snaps attacking the passer. Although Dolphins count on Phillips y Bradley Chubb, Van Ginkel He proved valuable as a rotational pass rusher, showing the versatility to line up as an inside linebacker as well.

Van Ginkel signed a one-year extension last offseason after then-defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will lobby for his return to the team.

In his five campaigns with Miami, Van Ginkel He had 250 tackles, 17 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown, a 33-yard interception return as part of a win over the Washington Commanders Last season.

Cashman He had a career-high and team-leading 106 tackles last season, helping the Los Angeles defense Texans to become No. 11 in points given up, with just 21.1 per game. In Week 6, she earned honors as Defensive Player of the Week in the AFC thanks to his 15 tackles, including two for a loss of yards, against the New Orleans Saints. He managed to lead the club with 19 tackles in a Week 11 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Cashman, who turns 28 on May 10, was also effective in pass coverage. According to Next Gen Stats, he allowed the fourth-lowest passer rating among linebackers with at least 200 snaps in pass coverage when targeted (74.7) and posted a closed-window percentage of 13.3 (10th).

Los Texans they acquired Cashman in exchange of 2022 with the New York Jets, with whom he played 14 games over three seasons. He surpassed that total during his first season with Houstonplaying in 16 games — with one start — under former head coach Lovie Smith.

The time of Cashman with the coach of the Jets, Robert Salehhelped him, since the Texans employ, hand in hand with the current head coach DeMeco Ryansthe same defense that Saleh.

In five seasons, Cashman He has 181 tackles (24 for loss), 5.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception.

Information from DJ Bien-Aime, Kevin Seifert and Marcel Louis-Jacques was used in the writing of this note.

2024-03-11 21:46:00
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