Vikings sign Marcus Davenport

[Maelstrom88]

[J. Kapp 11]

He’s a monster when he’s healthy

All signs point to Za’Darius Smith heading out the door.

[makila]

Like this. Young high motor player, who can still improve, at a key position (edge). Keeps all the cap space they've cleared for next year intact. He has to stay healthy, been his issue. Prove it deal at only 1 season.

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PFF blurb (they had him as #1 FA edge):

Injuries once again hampered Davenport's season, but he's a remarkably effective pass rusher off the edge when healthy, and his talent alone could be worth the gamble in free agency - especially given the relative lack of edge rushers available. Since he entered the league in 2018, Davenport's 17.8% pass-rush win rate and 13.9% pressure percentage are both top-20 marks among edge defenders, and he's also earned a very respectable 82.1 run-defense grade for his career, which ranks 16th over the span. Davenport has five straight campaigns grading above 70.0. The issue is that he's yet to log 600 snaps in a single season. At the end of the day, top-20 edge defenders against the pass and run don't reach free agency often, and while his injury list is long, it doesn't include any devastating ligament tears.

His overall grade and rank @ edge past 3 seasons:
2022 - 490 snaps - 76.8 (26/120)
2021 - 437 snaps - 88.8 (8/110)
2020 - 440 snaps - 74.8 (20/110)

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edit, Athletic on the signing:

The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with former Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport, according to multiple reports. Here’s what you need to know:

• Davenport is landing a one-year deal worth $13 million, per NFL Network.

• The Saints traded up to No. 14 during the 2018 NFL Draft to select Davenport. He’s tallied 21 1/2 sacks during his first five NFL seasons, but is coming off a career-low with only a half-sack in 2022.

• The 26-year-old edge rusher has been riddled with injuries throughout much of his career, missing 19 regular-season games.

• NFL Network reports the Vikings are expected to move on from Pro Bowl pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, which would clear $12.2 million of cap space.

Davenport has been hit or miss

Who knows what you’re going to get with the Saints’ 2018 first-round pick? He missed 19 games through five seasons and never transitioned into an every-down defender. That said, his pressure percentage the past four seasons is 14.8 percent (via TruMedia), 10th among pass rushers with at least 800 pass rush snaps in the span. Here’s a look at his company:

Player - PRSR% - Sacks
Nick Bosa - 16.9 - 43
Joey Bosa - 16.6 - 32
Rashan Gary - 16.4 - 22.5
Von Miller - 16 - 25.5
Trey Hendrickson - 15.4 - 40
T.J. Watt - 15.4 - 57.5
Shaquil Barrett - 15.4 - 40.5
Matt Judon - 15.2 - 43.5
Myles Garrett - 14.8 - 54
Marcus Davenport - 14.8 - 17

His sack numbers, though, have been completely enigmatic, with nine sacks in 11 games in 2021 and only a half sack in 15 games in 2022. His 17 sacks through the four-year study in the above chart ranked Davenport 68th in sacks. So adding Davenport is certainly a gamble more on his potential and ability to stay healthy. — Holder

What are the Vikings getting in Marcus Davenport?

A 27-year-old pass rusher with elite tools who has not been able to stay on the field. If this sounds like the move the Vikings made last year with Za’Darius Smith, that’s because it should. It’s just that Davenport is younger and potentially even more dangerous. In the past four seasons, Davenport has a pressure percentage of 14.8 (via TruMedia). That ranks 10th among pass rushers with at least 800 pass rush snaps in the span.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder was a first-round pick in 2018 by the Saints who plays mostly on the right side of the line of scrimmage. That pairs nicely with current Vikings edge Danielle Hunter, who has impacted games for the most part on the left side. — Lewis

What does the Davenport signing mean for Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter?

If you have followed the Vikings in recent weeks, you may be familiar with Smith’s situation. He recently tweeted a “Thank you” message to the Vikings organization even though he remains under contract for the 2023 season. Smith, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, wants more compensation. The Vikings, however, have been reticent both to pay him and release him.

A trade could occur in the next couple of days, but it’s unlikely that he, Hunter and Davenport will all contribute in 2023. Hunter’s situation is interesting as well. He is only on the books for $5.5 million in 2023. At age 28, he will likely seek a longer-term deal. The Vikings may be willing to offer that but they’re currently balancing multiple salary-cap constraints. So, that move could come in the coming weeks or months. — Lewis

[VikingLord]

I always like to take a ride in the time machine and look at the pre-draft analysis for free agents and vets the Vikings acquire to see both what impressions they created entering the NFL draft as well as to see if trends like production on the field, injuries, off-field issues, etc., extended into their pro careers.

Davenport's pre-draft profile on walterfootball.com is at https://www.walterfootball.com/draft2018DE.php

There isn't anything there about injuries in college, and his production was very good even if he had a lot of edges that needed to be smoothed and polished. There might have been some competition level concerns, but he clearly had the physical attributes to play in the NFL and the Saints liked him enough to take him with the 14th pick in the 2018 draft.

His pro career has clearly tracked with his college career with the exception of time missed due to injuries (see https://www.draftsharks.com/fantasy/inj ... port/10014 for a complete summary of his injuries as pro). The injuries he's suffered vary although he seems to have a recurring issue with at least one shoulder. He's on a one-year deal, so I look at the move to sign him as fairly high reward/low risk, which is pretty consistent with the types of FA moves KAM has made so far.

I'm not really excited about Davenport. I feel about the same as when the Vikings signed Zadarius. He's a guy who will probably take our breath away at times, but is likely to be slowed down or miss games due to injury.

[Pep2Moss]

I always liked him. I hope he lights it up this year. What do they do with Smith now?

[allday1991]

This has to be one of the worst f/a moves so far this year. Let’s pay 13 million to a guy who can’t finish a season!

[JJBreaksRecords]

This was such a KAM thing to do. Cant wait till we get a good GM. It might be sooner rather than later.