3 free agents Vikings can still sign this offseason

A Minnesota return could be rewarding for Sheldon Richardson and the Vikings

One of the best free agents still on the market would be a familiar face to Vikings fans in defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. The former first-round pick by the New York Jets out of Missouri spent the 2018 NFL season in Vikings uniform. After completing his one-year deal in Minnesota, Richardson signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2019 NFL free agency.

In mid-April, Richardson was released by the Browns after only completing two years of his contract. He wasn’t bad in Cleveland, as he played in 31 of a possible 32 regular-season games for the Browns. Richardson had 7.5 combined sacks over those two seasons, recording at least 62 tackles each year in the trenches. This was about on-par with what he gave the Vikings in 2018.

Because he was released by the Browns ahead of the draft and is a free agent this late into the cycle, the Vikings could be getting back the same player they had three years ago, only at a bit of a discount. This is the same defensive scheme he played in back in 2018, so there will not be any major acclimating period for him to find his footing in Minnesota. There is a chance he may return.

Ultimately, there will be other suitors for Richardson in his free agency. He will play most of the 2021 NFL season at the age of 30. While he may never be a Pro Bowler like he was during his second season in the league with the 2014 Jets, Richardson has a place in this league as a quality defensive lineman who can make a bunch of tackles, as well as generate pressure on the passer.

What free agents should the Vikings look to acquire now that the 2021 NFL Draft is finally over?