Linval Joseph

Joseph joins the Chargers on a two-year, $17 million deal after a productive six-year stretch with the Vikings. The two-time Pro Bowler is expected to fill in Brandon Mebane at nose tackle, and should help shore up a running defense that has faltered in recent campaigns.

Joseph is a hefty tackle (6-4, 329) who sees too many double-teams to make a big pass-rushing impact, but he can provide floor-setting production as a secondary defensive line IDP due to his ability to find ballcarriers. As much as his career-high four sacks is thoroughly unexciting, Joseph's standout athleticism and conditioning allow him to accumulate much better tackle volume than most DTs, with the upside scenario being his production from 2017. A knee tweak slowed him in 2018, but a return to his peak form is possible this year.

Joseph is generally overlooked by NFL fans and media, but he's one of the league's most feared interior linemen. Standing at a hulking 6-4, 329, Joseph is actually one of the league's most athletic defensive tackles, and he's plenty disruptive despite his nose tackle appearance. For three years in a row he's averaged more than one tackle for every 10 snaps played (56 on 532, 77 on 720, and 68 on 664), which means he should provide mainstream DL2 utility so long as he's seeing his standard workload.

Joseph is one of the league's better run-stopping interior linemen. He only has 16.5 sacks in 97 career games, however, so his IDP value is limited. Still, he's a key player on Minnesota's defense.

Linval may have been the best nose tackle in football last season with 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one-half sack, 26 quarterback hurries and defended a pass. He started just 12 games as he struggled with turf toe. His stats don't make him an option in most IDP leagues, but he's a key player on Minnesota's defense.

Joseph is a starting defensive tackle and strong against the run, but doesn't rate as well as a pass rusher. He's averaged three sacks over the past four seasons.

Joseph has been a very consistent player over the last three years, averaging 55.7 tackles per season while also recording nine sacks in that span. He's a big body that is primary focused on stopping the run, although his sack total shows that he can break through into the backfield. With the departure of Jared Allen in the offseason, the Vikings will be desperate for someone to fill the pass-rushing void. Joseph isn't likely to get close to 10 sacks, but half may not be unreasonable.

Starting interior defensive lineman.

Starting interior lineman, one of the keys to the team's run defense.

Starting defensive tackle will clog the run and try to generate some push up the middle.

Rookie tackle will be in the defensive line rotation as a reserve.