With Ink Barely Dry on Receiver Deal, Vikings Fireplace Up a Contract to Add a 6’6″ D-Lineman – Vikings Territory

Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Viktor the Viking entertains the followers in the course of the first half of a recreation between the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs

These days, there was a variety of consideration on the choice to usher in WR Jauan Jennings. Doing so offers the Vikings a scary three-headed monster out huge for whoever is passing the pigskin.

Subsequent up for offers was the choice to toss one other younger d-lineman into the combo. Take a look at the replace from agent Brett Tessler: “The Minnesota Vikings just signed my client Smith Vilbert (DL, UNC / Penn State) to a 3-year deal after he attended their rookie minicamp this weekend.” The size, three years, is the usual for undrafted expertise. Enjoying by way of your entire contract would imply being a Vikings RFA afterwards.

Vikings Fireplace Up Subsequent Contract, Signal Younger D-Lineman

These days, there was a ton of consideration on Minnesota’s line of defense.

Most notable, after all, was the stunning resolution to go for the hulking Caleb Banks. The huge defensive sort out popping out Florida doesn’t lack for expertise. What may very well be a problem, although, is his well being and approach. Each earned concern transferring into the 2026 NFL Draft, which is to say nothing of the firestorm of criticism after utilizing No. 18 to snag him.

Subsequent up was the transfer for Domonique Orange, a nostril sort out who within reason known as “Big Citrus” as a result of his dimension and final title. Count on Mr. Orange to earn snaps early in his profession to clog working lanes. He acquired chosen within the third.

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks is chosen by the Minnesota Vikings because the quantity 18 decide in the course of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photographs

However then there was a broader effort to insert younger expertise into the combo, an method stretching again a number of years.

A few years in the past, the Vikings discovered Jalen Redmond from a rival professional league. He overcame lengthy odds to get onto the roster earlier than changing into the workforce’s most formidable defensive lineman. He’ll quickly demand meaty cash, however Minnesota has him on an insanely-cheap deal at current.

So, too, did Elijah Williams get discovered late, signed after impressing within the spring. Rugged NT Taki Taimani was a UDFA pickup who has been across the Twin Cities for a pair years already.

Even latest draftees similar to Levi Drake Rodriguez (seventh) and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (fifth) earned modest curiosity from the NFL. Minnesota, fairly evidently, is a spot the place these low-profile younger lads have an opportunity to shine.

Alec Lewis of The Athletic provided his two cents on the latest signing: “Vikings sign DL Smith Vilbert after rookie minicamp today. They’ve had very good history with some of these UDFA DL.”

Draft nerd Thor Nystrom (SKOR North) attracts a connection between UNC head coach Invoice Belichick and Vikings DC Brian Flores, writing, “And like Vikings UDFA CB Marcus Allen, Vilbert started on defense for UNC HC Bill Belichick last season. That still means something to somebody I know.”

Bob Donnan-Imagn Photographs

Throughout the 2025 season, Smith Vilbert picked up 22 tackles. He had a single sack to face alongside 6 tackles for loss. Of observe, as nicely, are his 1 pressured fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and a pair of passes defended.

Bringing within the new d-lineman follows shortly after signing veteran Eric Johnson, who boasts a powerful nickname: “The Creature.”

On PFF, Vilbert earned a modest 64.3 grade for his effort in 2025. He’s listed as being 6’6″ and 282 kilos. His path to the 53-man roster can be a troublesome one, however it begins with proving to be a succesful particular groups helper alongside somebody who can absorb snaps in run protection.

Smith performed at Penn State earlier than going to UNC.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E-mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.