EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings made a big move to fortify their defensive line Monday, announcing a trade for Yannick Ngakoue.
The trade is pending a physical after Ngakoue completes NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 testing requirements. The Vikings sent a 2021 second-round pick and a 2022 conditional fifth-round pick to the Jaguars.
The standout defensive end spent the past four seasons in Jacksonville, where he racked up 37.5 total sacks and forced a whopping 14 fumbles.
Ngakoue has recorded at least 8.0 sacks in each of his four seasons in the NFL, and his 14 forced fumbles are the fourth-most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2016.
Ngakoue has made 62 career starts in 63 appearances. He has 122 career tackles (105 solo) with two interceptions, nine passes defensed, three fumble recoveries and 42 tackles for loss.
Ngakoue's 37.5 sacks are the most by a Jaguars player through 63 games with the team and rank second in franchise history behind Tony Brackens (55 from 1996-2003).
The 25-year-old Ngakoue, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 242 pounds, was a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Maryland.
The Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Ngakoue this offseason, but he did not sign it and did not report to Jacksonville's training camp.
Ngakoue's best season came in 2017, when he anchored a stout Jaguars defense that helped Jacksonville make it to the AFC Championship Game. (The Vikings reached the NFC title game the same season).
Ngakoue earned his lone Pro Bowl selection that season, tallying a career-high 12.0 sacks to go along with a league-best six forced fumbles. He also recorded 10 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries, including one he returned 67 yards for a touchdown.
The addition of Ngakoue helps boost a Vikings defensive line that already features defensive end Danielle Hunter, a two-time Pro-Bowler who has recorded 14.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons. Hunter has not practiced since August 14 because of what Head Coach Mike Zimmer has referred to as a "tweak."
View photos of new Vikings DE Yannick Ngakoue who was recently traded to the team.
Ngakoue also joins fellow defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo, who had 7.0 sacks in 2019, on the roster, along with Jalyn Holmes, Eddie Yarbrough, Anthony Zettel, Stacy Keely and rookies D.J. Wonnum and Kenny Willekes.
Minnesota also lost some defensive end depth since the end of the 2019 season. Everson Griffen is now in Dallas, while Stephen Weatherly is in Carolina.
