Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Payments defensive finish Leonard Floyd (56) in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the 2024 AFC divisional spherical recreation at Highmark Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities
Whereas Jadeveon Clowney makes a complete lot of sense for the Minnesota Vikings’ roster in 2026 — he was rattling efficient in 2025 — free-agent exterior linebacker Leonard Floyd may be the acquainted match resulting from his connection to go coach Kevin O’Connell.
Minnesota wants yet another move rusher, and Floyd checks the value, manufacturing, and familiarity containers.
O’Connell received a Tremendous Bowl with Floyd in 2021, and present Vikings exterior linebackers coach Thad Boragus served because the Los Angeles Rams’ assistant linebackers coach on the identical squad.
Floyd’s Expertise Would Match behind Van Ginkel and Turner
Would you endorse Floyd to Minnesota?
San Francisco 49ers defensive finish Leonard Floyd strains up and tracks the play throughout a late-season matchup in opposition to the Detroit Lions, staying engaged on Dec 30, 2024, in Santa Clara, California, because the veteran edge presence contributed to defensive efforts at Levi’s Stadium in a key NFC contest. Obligatory Credit score: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Pictures.
The Want for an OLB3
On Friday, April twenty fourth, the Vikings despatched Jonathan Greenard and a Seventh-Spherical choose to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 Third-Spherical choose and a 2027 Third-Spherical choose. The commerce reworked the Vikings’ OLB room from the strongest and deepest spot on the depth chart to at least one that wanted consideration. That’s — with Greenard within the combine, Minnesota EDGEs had been unbelievable; now, they’re respectable however one harm away from sheer panic.
Subsequently, in all probability from free company, Minnesota wants an OLB3 to enrich Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
Due to his aforementioned ties to the Vikings’ teaching employees, Floyd has the preexisting hyperlink that’s typically current when a free agent indicators with a brand new workforce. Consider it this manner: O’Connell can in all probability name Floyd tonight with none unfamiliarity.
Floyd’s Background
Floyd is battle-tested; let’s simply get that on the market. He began 15 video games for the Atlanta Falcons final 12 months and can be some of the sturdy veteran EDGEs within the league.
Right here’s his Professional Soccer Focus resume, with grades and yearly pressures:
2025: 60.1 (ATL) | Pressures: 362024: 53.9 (SF) | Pressures: 442023: 58.7 (BUF) | Pressures: 452022: 65.7 (LA) | Pressures: 542021: 73.8 (LA) | Pressures: 732020: 69.5 (LA) | Pressures: 552019: 69.6 (CHI) | Pressures: 392018: 69.6 (CHI) | Pressures: 392017: 63.8 (CHI) | Pressures: 362016: 66.3 (CHI) | Pressures: 36
And sacks per season:
2025: 3.5 (ATL)2024: 8.5 (SF)2023: 10.5 (BUF)2022: 9.0 (LA)2021: 9.5 (LA)2020: 10.5 (LA)2019: 3.0 (CHI)2018: 4.0 (CHI)2017: 4.5 (CHI)2016: 7.0 (CHI)
With these numbers, the person may be the right OLB3, particularly at this late stage of his profession.
Again in March, after the primary preliminary wave of free company, Fox Sports activities linked Floyd to the Carolina Panthers, noting, “This is ideal, as in ‘ideal and reasonably within their budget.’ They’re not all $20 million signings, and Carolina is barely under the cap entering free agency.”
“Edge rusher is arguably the biggest positional need, and Floyd played well with the Rams in 2020-21 when Evero Eijro was there. Last season was a down year, but he’d gotten at least eight sacks in five straight years before that, and could bounce back as a solid value impact for an improved Panthers defense. Only two NFL teams had fewer sacks than Carolina’s 30 last year, with no Panthers player getting more than five.”
The Value
Throughout free company of 2025, the Falcons scooped Floyd off the open marketplace for $10 million. Taking part in 15 video games with 36 pressures was in all probability well worth the funding for a membership that wanted a veteran exterior linebacker.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd reacts throughout defensive motion in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals, staying energetic close to the road of scrimmage on Dec 13, 2021, in Glendale, Arizona, as he labored to disrupt the offense at State Farm Stadium in an NFC West divisional matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities.
In the meanwhile, Minnesota is arguably in the identical place. Spotrac estimates Floyd’s market worth at $8.9 million, which checks out, given an additional 12 months of age for an EDGE who in all probability received’t begin for the Vikings in 2026, as a substitute offering depth behind Van Ginkel and Turner.
Minnesota has about $16 million in cap area as of Could sixth, cash that can be closely allotted to a draft class 9 gamers deep. Nonetheless, the Vikings can restructure a contract or two or maybe lengthen some veterans whereas reducing their 2026 cap hits.
Floyd at $8 million or $9 million may be very doable, and the worth is simple.
Different EDGEs on the Market
What’s extra, if the Vikings need one other exterior linebacker, however Floyd isn’t the most suitable choice, there are nonetheless a litany of respectable routes. Excluding Floyd, the free-agent EDGE market appears to be like like this:
Joey Bosa
Jadeveon Clowney
Cameron Jordan
Von Miller
Kyle Van Noy
A.J. Epenesa
Marcus Davenport
Denico Autry
Derek Barnett
Haason Reddick
Michael Danna
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd celebrates on the sector after a Tremendous Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, taking within the second on Feb 13, 2022, in Inglewood, California, because the Rams secured the Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium following a championship efficiency. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Clowney would even be a exceptional possibility, after he totaled 8.5 sacks with the Dallas Cowboys final 12 months whereas enjoying about one-third of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps.
Based mostly on coach ties, although, Floyd stays the most secure predictive wager. He’ll flip 34 proper after Week 1 in September.
