The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly found a replacement for departed nose tackle Linval Joseph.
Per Josina Anderson, Minnesota plans to sign former Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce to a three-year deal after separate reports indicated Joseph was headed west to play for the Los Angeles Chargers. The longtime Vikings interior presence was released by the Vikings just before the legal tampering period.
Pierce, 27, is still in his prime after four strong years with the Baltimore Ravens. In his first three seasons, he ranked fifth, 12th and 15th, per Pro Football Focus, amongst interior defenders before falling off analytically in 2019 as he dealt with an ankle injury for part of the season. But considering his age and past success, Pierce has the potential to be a high-impact acquisition in the middle of the Vikings’ defensive line, at least on early downs.
At 6-foot, 340 pounds, Pierce made his mark as a run-stuffer with the Ravens in a rotational role, playing between 43 and 56 percent of snaps each of the last three seasons. Per PFF, Pierce ranked 51st out of qualified defensive tackles last year. Joseph was 37th.
Pierce has appeared in 60 career games and started 30 with 3.5 career sacks after going undrafted out of Samford in 2016. Pierce was tendered a restricted free-agent contract last season before officially hitting the open market Thursday afternoon in unrestricted free agency.
