MINNEAPOLIS -- We're continuing our look at the Minnesota Vikings' free-agent needs today, with a look at the defensive end position. After both Everson Griffen and Brian Robison played more than 900 snaps last season, the Vikings are in need of more depth in the group, and with Robison set to turn 32 in April, it could make sense for the Vikings to add a player who can become a starter down the road.
Defensive end
State of the position: The Vikings had hopes of a solid defensive end rotation last season, after they signed Corey Wootton and drafted Scott Crichton in the third round. But those two players combined for just 301 defensive snaps last season, leaving Griffen and Robison on the field most of the time. Robison, in particular, seemed to struggle against the run late in the season. He had been asked to change his game in Mike Zimmer's defense last season, and Zimmer complimented Robison on his willingness to adapt late last season. But at the very least, the Vikings could use another player who could help keep Robison and Griffen fresh.
Draft vs. free agency: USC's Leonard Williams, Nebraska's Randy Gregory and Missouri's Shane Ray are all projected to go in the top 10, but if one of them slipped, the Vikings could think about adding him at No. 11. Florida's Dante Fowler seems to be climbing draft boards, as well, but it's tantalizing to think about the speed of a defense with him, Griffen and Anthony Barr. Kentucky's Bud Dupree met with the Vikings at the NFL scouting combine, and UCLA's Owamagbe Odighizuwa -- a former college teammate of Barr's -- has been compared to Griffen. There are some solid options available in the draft, though some of them could turn out to be outside linebackers in the NFL. The free agent class isn't stacked, particularly if Jerry Hughes gets a new deal from Buffalo, but the Vikings figure to be value shopping at this position, and they could find some good options there.
Cream of the crop: The New York Giants put the franchise tag on Jason Pierre-Paul on Monday, all but eliminating the chance the 26-year-old is leaving in free agency. Hughes did not get the franchise tag on Monday, but would also command a lucrative deal.
Other options: Dallas' George Selvie did a solid job against the run last season, playing left defensive end for the Cowboys, and could be a natural fit to spell Robison in the Vikings' defense. Tampa Bay's Adrian Clayborn missed 15 games last season with a biceps injury, and was out for all of 2012, but if he's healthy, he could add some pass-rushing ability to the Vikings' defense. And Philadelphia's Brandon Graham had 5.5 sacks in just 524 snaps last season. He seems like a better fit as a 4-3 defensive end than a 3-4 linebacker, and did a good job against the run last season. He'd be the type of player the Vikings could bring in this year and develop to replace Robison a year from now.
Growth from within: Crichton declared for the draft a year early last spring so he could provide for his parents; his father, Lucky, had to have his leg amputated because of an infection while he was still living in Western Samoa. It was a noble move by Crichton, but he made it knowing he was probably a year away from contributing in the NFL, and he struggled to get on the field as he learned the Vikings' system, which asks defensive ends to engage blockers on the way to the quarterback. If Crichton can show a better understanding of the Vikings' system in Year 2, he'll get chances to work his way into their rotation, and could see some time as an interior pass-rusher in nickel situations.