Shamar

Stephen

Although he was a starter the past two seasons in Minnesota, Stephen was far from an impact player, earning his walking papers in March. Now on the wrong side of 30, Stephen will be looking to carve out a rotational role on the interior of Denver’s line. He is going from one good defensive mind in Mike Zimmer to another in Vic Fangio.

It was only a matter of time after the organization signed Dalvin Tomlinson, who’s now in line to start as Minnesota’s 3-tech option, to a two-year deal. The move saves the team $3.75 million in cap space.

Stephen spent the first four years of his career in Minnesota after being a 2014 seventh-round pick. He signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks last offseason but is now coming back to rejoin the Vikings. Stephen was in on 538 snaps last year but made minimal impact. He’s a rotational piece.

Stephen has good size at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds but isn’t very athletic. He’ll try to earn a spot behind Linval Joseph, Sharrif Floyd, and Fred Evans. Corey Wootton and Scott Crichton can also play on the interior line in a pinch.

Stephen (6-foot-4 7/8, 309) was a three-year starter for the Huskies, finishing his career with 17 tackles for loss and five sacks. More clogger-container than pass rusher, Stephen managed a 5.23 forty at the Combine with an 8-foot-7 broad jump and 25 reps on the bench. Stephen is a five-technique prospect who could contribute as a Kendall Langford-style run stopper. He’ll man the interior in Mike Zimmer’s 4-3. Already 23 1/2 years old, Stephen’s long-range ceiling is limited.

A 2014 seventh-rounder, Stephen had played 67 snaps on defense this season, getting dismantled by the run. He’ll be back to compete for one of the Vikings’ final roster spots in 2016.

Stephen was a starter for the Vikings in 2016 but played just 384 snaps last season. He’ll add defensive line depth as a run stopping nose tackle. Stephen is recovering from meniscus surgery but is expected to be ready for OTAs.

Stephen is coming off a down 2017 and recovering from a meniscus injury, but he’s the leading candidate to replace Sheldon Richardson at three-technique. A two-down run stopper, Seattle should use Stephen in a committee with Tom Johnson.