The Vikings are bringing in former Dolphins outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel on a two-year, $20 million contract that includes a $14 million guarantee. Minnesota is adding to its roster by acquiring an underappreciated gem in Van Ginkel, following their signing of great edge rusher Jonathan Greenard earlier in the day.
This could out to be a very significant pickup for the Vikings. This summer, Van Ginkel will turn 29 years old. He is the perfect example of a successful, adaptable, and all-around football player. He has the ability to pressure the passer, stop the run, and drop into coverage to make plays. Brian Flores, who is starting his second season as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator, will value him highly as a chess piece.
Van Ginkel has a lot of familiarity with Flores, having played for him in Miami for the first three years of his NFL career. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2019 draft out of Wisconsin, and by his sophomore season, he had established himself as a starter. Van Ginkel packed the stat sheet throughout his five years and 73 games in Miami: 17 sacks, 31 total tackles for loss, 21 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 2 touchdowns. To further increase his value, he participates in special teams play.
The most productive year in Van Ginkel’s career was the previous season. In addition to playing in all 17 games, he recorded career highs in sacks (6) and passes defended (8). He also added a pick-six to cap it all. Having played more than 700 defensive snaps, Van Ginkel’s 91.1 PFF grade placed him sixth among all NFL edge rushers. He finished with 53 pressures, a 90.6 pass rush grade, and an 87.3 coverage grade.
The Vikings, who might lose Marcus Davenport, D.J. Wonnum, and Danielle Hunter to free agency, have a very strong EDGE combo in Greenard and Van Ginkel.
