3 veteran free agents the Vikings should sign to cheap contracts

1. DE Carlos Dunlap

After being openly unhappy with his reduced role, Dunlap was traded from the Bengals to the Seahawks last season. He gave Seattle some much-needed pass rush production in eight games (five sacks, 14 quarterback hits), but they released him in a clear move to open up cap space. Any idea the Seahawks would bring him back has probably gone away with the signing of Kerry Hyder this week.

Without Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen last season, due to injury and free agent departure respectively, the Vikings’ pass rush was severely lacking last season. Assuming Hunter is healthy, and his likely unhappiness with his contract is resolved, that will help. But the spot opposite him is a notable hole right now, barring using the No. 14 pick on a defensive end.

As would be the case with defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who was recently cut by the Bengals, Dunlap has history with Vikings’ head coach Mike Zimmer from Zimmer’s time as defensive coordinator in Cincinnati. Atkins might have been a fit before Tomlinson was signed, had the Vikings waited for him to inevitably be cut.

There is no such concern with signing Dunlap. He would fill a clear need, and showed he is still a productive player when he got a change of scenery last year. This should be a no-brainer for the Vikings, if Dunlap wants to reunite with Zimmer.