There has been a lot of turmoil at the linebacker position for the Minnesota Vikings. The team had to release Erin Henderson due to his legal problems and now the team may have an opportunity to get a top-flight middle linebacker to fill that spot. Last week, the Cleveland Browns released D’Qwell Jackson. He may be 30 years old but he was in on 141 tackles last season for Cleveland and would be a perfect addition to the middle of the Minnesota defense.
There is no way that the Vikings are going to go into the 2014 with Michael Mauti as their starting middle linebacker. C.J. Mosley is available in the draft and that is an option with the No. 8 overall pick and would be an upgrade at the position but what is the harm of making a run at Jackson? He was the AFC combined tackles leader in 2011 and led the NFL in combined tackles in 2008. There is a lot of talent there that could be great alongside Chad Greenway.
He may be a tough sell considering that Jackson is looking at teams like the Denver Broncos. What player wouldn’t want to go to Denver over Minnesota and that’s why the Vikings may need to come up with a big offer if they really want to make a move like this. There are so many holes on the defense though that trying to get Jackson may undermine the rest of free agency.
This is a move that could pay big dividends though especially if the Vikings can get a solid quarterback in the draft. If the defense is better with Jackson and the offense can produce some more excitement, there is no reason why Minnesota can’t be a .500 team in 2014. It seems unlikely right now with the way the roster is set up but a few moves here and there could change the team’s fortunes in a big way very quickly. There are things that need to be done for the Vikings before next season begins. A move to sign Jackson could be a solid step in the right direction trying to become relevant again in the NFC North.