Yannick Ngakoue and the Minnesota Vikings are parting ways after a short stint. Apparently, the franchise from Minneapolis is finalizing a trade with the Baltimore Ravens that will see the defensive end in Maryland.
According to the sources from within the NFL, the Ravens will send their 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional fifth-round pick. The player is expected to went through all the needed medical tests before completing the entire deal.
This is an acceptable bargain for Minnesota, as Vikings themselves sent a similar package to Jacksonville Jaguars once acquiring the player. They got Ngakoue for a second-round pick at the 2021 NFL draft and the conditional fifth-rounder from 2022.
The move also signifies that Mike Zimmer’s team is probably saying goodbye to all the high plans they had for this campaign. After starting 1-5, the Vikes’ fans and management are frustrated with the entire situation. Trading Ngakoue indicates that Minnesota gave up on this season and began preparing for the next one.
Ngakoue, meanwhile, finally reached his desired destination. Ever since things between him and the Jags got intense, he was trying to land in Baltimore. The 25-year old is from Bowie, Maryland, and was attending the Maryland University, hoping all along that the Ravens would draft him.
However, his destiny was to head in the opposite direction, ending up down south in Florida. During his four-year stay in Jacksonville, he became a Pro-Bowl player, and one of the best in the league at his position.
In 63 appearances with the Vikes, he posted 37.5 sacks, had 14 forced fumbles, and 109 tackles. He was a part of the 2017 Jags’ unit that reached the AF Championship game, which they lost to the New England Patriots.
Ngakoue was solid in Minnesota where he had 5 sacks in six matches, with two forced fumbles. It is safe to say that he presented the only bright spot in Vikings’ defense since the campaign began.
The Ravens got a fantastic addition, which will undoubtedly improve their chances of dethroning the Kansas City Chiefs. Another plus for John Harbaugh’s side is that Ngakoue reunites with DE Calais Campbell, with whom he played for three years in Jacksonville.
This duo was one of the most feared in the league during their stint with the Jags, and they have another chance to terrorize the rivals’ offenses.
The Ravens meet Steelers this Sunday.