A big surprise Tuesday came when the Minnesota Vikings cut defensive tackle Armon Watts and then made a trade with the Houston Texas for defensive tackle Ross Blacklock.
Blacklock, 24, was the 40th overall pick (second round) in the 2020 NFL Draft. Watts, a sixth-round pick by the Vikings in 2020. In exchange, the Vikings are giving Houston a sixth- and a seventh-round pick.
Minnesota will send Houston a 6th-round pick for Blacklock and a 7th, per source. https://t.co/XkBceVzHtN
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 30, 2022
According to Pro Football Focus, Watts graded 74th of 224 interior defensive linemen last season, while Blacklock ranked 147th. Watts also rated higher than Blacklock in both pass-rush and run-stuffing grades.
- Blackock: 62nd pass-rush, 199th run defense
- Watts: 36th pass-rush, 170th run defense
So why the trade? Money could have something to do with it, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reports that cutting Watts and trading for Blacklock saves the team a $2.54 million cap hit.
Money a factor in decision by #Vikings to waive Armon Watts and acquire Ross Blacklock. Watts got a salary escalator for his play last year to make his base salary $2.54 million. By cutting him Vikings clear that $2.54 million on cap. Blacklock has a base salary of $1.332 million
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 30, 2022
