The Vikings opened up one spot in their defensive line rotation when they cut Jimmy Kennedy and they filled it Wednesday by signing defensive tackle Remi Ayodele away from the Saints.
Ayodele signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Vikes, according to Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. With Kennedy out of the picture and Pat Williams unsigned, Ayodele will move to the front of the list of players looking to start alongside Kevin Williams this season. At 6-2 and 317 pounds, Ayodele should be able to man that nose tackle spot as he played a similar role for the Saints in the past.
Ayodele went undrafted in 2006 and bounced around the Patriots, Ravens, Cowboys and Falcons before finding a home with the Saints in 2008. He started all 16 games for them last season, accounting for 37 tackles and a sack, and also started for them during their run to the Super Bowl, recovering a fumble in the NFC Championship Game.
