The Minnesota Vikings agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson on Tuesday. Richardson returns to Minnesota after playing for them in 2018, recording 49 tackles (six for loss) and 4.5 sacks in 16 games. The 30-year-old played the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns but was released to clear salary cap space. Originally a first-round pick (13th overall) by the New York Jets in 2013 out of Missouri, Richardson spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with Gang Green before landing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017. Richardson had a combined 7.5 sacks in the last two seasons with Cleveland and should serve in a rotational role on Minnesota's defensive line as they look to improve up front after a miserable season in 2020.
The Cleveland Browns released defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson on Friday. Richardson was due more than $12 million this season, and he was no longer needed after the club recently signed pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney for essentially the same salary. Richardson signed with the Browns as an unrestricted free agent in 2019 and started all 16 games last season, recording 64 tackles, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He was a first-round pick by the New York Jets in 2013 and was voted as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Richardson made the Pro Bowl in 2014 when he tallied 67 tackles (11 for loss), 21 QB hits and eight sacks over a full season. The 30-year-old should latch on rather quickly with another organization.
The Cleveland Browns are expected to sign free-agent defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, on Tuesday morning. Richardson will reportedly sign a three-year deal on Wednesday when free agency opens. The former No. 13 overall draft pick appeared in all 16 games for the Vikings in 2018, racking up 49 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He will join Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, and Emmanuel Ogbah to form a fearsome front four for the Browns. Cleveland still has plenty of cap space available and should continue to be active in free agency over the next few days.
Free-agent defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, according to a source. Already a top fantasy defense heading into the 2018 season, the Vikings just got considerably better on the defensive line with the addition of Richardson. He had just 2.5 sacks the last two years but will be a force on the interior, mainly helping to slow down the run.
The Seattle Seahawks offered free-agent defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson $11 million a year, but he's seeking $15 million. That's a sizeable gap, and Richardson is sure to have other suitors on the open market. The 27-year-old had just 2.5 sacks the last two seasons, but Seattle would like to keep him around after losing Michael Bennett to the Eagles. However, signing Ndamukong Suh on the defensive line could make Richardson expendable.
The Minnesota Vikings have inquired about free-agent defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Richardson was acquired mid-season by the Seahawks and Seattle also has interest in retaining him. The Vikings need to get quarterback Kirk Cousins to put his name on a contract, but it is clear that it will be Super Bowl or bust this coming season. Richardson is a disruptive force on the interior and would be just another weapon on a defense that is loaded with them. Richardson is sure to garner interest from several teams as the free agency process plays out.
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said the team doesn't plan to use the franchise tag on impending free-agent defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson "at this point." In his first season with the Seahawks in 2017, Richardson combined for 44 tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries and one interception. With or without Richardson in 2018, Seattle's defense should be one of the better fantasy units to target.
Sheldon Richardson
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Vikings
