The Vikings signed veteran guard Dalton Risner and traded for running back Cam Akers, seemingly fixing holes that lead to their 0-2 start. Should nose tackle, and former Vikings terror, Akiem Hicks be next?
Vikings fans sure think so.
The outpouring of tweets even caught Hicks’ attention late Thursday night with the 33-year-old defensive lineman tweeting: “That Vikings love has been nice all day, I appreciate the interest. Always had fun strappin it on against you. As a competitor you hope to receive the respect of your opponent. The respect of the fan base is a very nice bonus #skol”
That Viking love has been nice all day, I appreciate the interest. Always had fun strappin it on against you. As a competitor you hope to receive the respect of your opponent. The respect of the fan base is a very nice bonus #skol 😅😅😅 pic.twitter.com/dLp4rMJJO8
— akiem hicks (@The_Dream99) September 22, 2023
Would it make sense for the Vikings to bring Hicks in?
Entering Week 3 the Vikings have given up the fourth most rushing yards in the league (332), a lot of that was down to the Eagles repeatedly running over the Vikings for a whopping 259 yards in the Week 2 loss. Pro Football Focus have the Vikings with the second worst rush defense grade in the league through two weeks at 47.8, only the Texans’ 38.1 is worse.
Looking at Minnesota’s roster, they don’t have a true nose tackle that’s stepped up. Khyiris Tonga was supposed to be that guy but has struggled to get on the field, just 21 snaps this season despite being healthy, and when he has, he hasn’t filled the nose tackle role well enough.
Harrison Phillips has been forced into the nose tackle role but he’s about 20 pounds too light and that was never his role to begin with; Dalvin Tomlinson filled that hole in past season for the Vikings.
From a needs standpoint it makes sense for the Vikings to take a swing. According to Over The Cap the Vikings still have $9.6 mullion in cap space to use this season.
Is Hicks the right guy though?
The veteran defensive lineman fits the mold, 6-foot-4 335-pounds, but his age and recent injury status leaves plenty of concerns. Hicks has played over 700 snaps just once since 2018.
While Hicks’ pass rush grades would mark an improvement for a struggling rush defense, they’re not what they were when he was terrorizing the Vikings as the Bears nose tackle.
Akiem Hicks’ pass rush grades:
2017 – 79.5
2018 – 92.8
2019 – 81.6
2020 – 63.2
2021 – 66.0
2022 – 65.6
The question ultimately comes down to how much the Vikings front office wants to give up developing players like Tonga and Jaquelin Roy for a shot that a 33-year-old can return to a form he hasn’t seen in four years.
