The Minnesota Vikings could put defensive tackle Harrison Phillips on the trade block this offseason. According to a report, the Vikings are likely moving on from Phillips since they’ve made a lot of offseason moves to improve the trenches unit. After signing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, it does look like Phillips’s starting role will stay much longer, as the Vikings could dangle the defensive tackle to see if there’s anyone out there willing to trade for him. Originally selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the former Stanford product is still one of the most dependable stuffers in the league, but it doesn’t make sense for the Vikings to keep Phillips if they have no use for him.
The defensive tackle became the staple of this defense’s interior line at the start of the Kevin O’Connell era. While he had his moments of getting after the quarterback, it’s safe to say the Vikings will draft a defensive tackle once it’s over. Phillips might not fetch the greatest draft capital, but the Vikings could get something solid in return for his services, as the team is repairing “three-technique.” Either way, it doesn’t look like that will happen with Phillips.
REPORT: Vikings Middle Disruptor Harrison Phillips On Trade Block – 4 Suitors Emerge
Potential Destinations
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are slowly getting younger in their defensive trenches. Broderick Washington and Travis Jones are arguably their worst run stuffers in this unit, so they should be in the market to trade or draft a new defensive tackle. Despite signing Yannick Ngakoue last season, the team still let him go after finding signs of life in their defensive unit. Nnamdi Madubuike is still their best stuffer in the trenches, but someone like Phillips could be a viable pairing for him.
Los Angeles Chargers
For the Chargers, the defense will look dramatically different, and it doesn’t truly look like head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win football games in the trenches. Free-agent signee Da’Shawn Hand is more of a journeyman, so it seems odd that the Chargers didn’t make efforts to bring back Poona Ford despite his career resurgence. Teair Tart is returning, but he could use another stuffer guy as a disruptor of getting after the quarterback.
Phillips might not make much of a difference, but the Chargers have a better chance of turning him into Ford 2.0 than Hand.
Kansas City Chiefs
Meanwhile, it’s never a bad time for the Chiefs to strengthen their defensive unit. Jerry Tillery hasn’t been able to replicate what star defensive tackle Chris Jones has been able to do on the field. With that, they could open the gateways in the middle with two physical men.
Phillips joining guys like George Karlaftis and Mike Danna could be a crucial piece to what they were missing in the embarrassing Super Bowl loss.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have done phenomenally well, not only extending Chase Young to a new contract but trading for Davon Godchaux to improve its trenches despite their cap space. However, since they might have a lackluster offense this season due to the Derek Carr injury, the Saints could roll the dice on Phillips to strengthen this defense to keep them competitive.
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