NFL free agency: Dalvin Tomlinson signs mammoth deal with Vikings

The NY Giants lose a homegrown talent, and cornerstone of the defensive line as Dalvin Tomlinson signs a monster contract with the Minnesota Vikings on the eve of free agency

The NY Giants defensive line will have a major hole to fill, after defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson signed a mammoth contract with the Minnesota Vikings Monday evening, two days before NFL free agency begins.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first to report the news of Tomlinson’s signing.

A homegrown talent and a cornerstone of the Giants‘ defense the past four seasons, Tomlinson‘s deal is a two-year pact worth up to $22 million that includes $16 million fully guaranteed, a $15 million signing bonus, is worth $15 million the first season.

Through the first four seasons of his career, Tomlinson produced 207 total tackles and eight sacks.

One of the NY Giants’ most consistently dominant defenders, Tomlinson produced a 75.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus last season, while generating 28 total pressures, including a career-high four sacks and 18 hurries.

There was a market for Tomlinson prior to last fall’s trade deadline when the Green Bay Packers were among the teams trying to make a deal, and Giants general manager Dave Gettleman opted to hold Tomlinson through the end of the season.

The NY Giants missed an opportunity to commit to Tomlinson long-term when they were unable to come to terms on a new pact last offseason, and his departure was telegraphed earlier Monday when the organization re-signed interior lineman Austin Johnson to a two-year contract.

While the NY Giants would have preferred to retain Tomlinson, it seems it wasn’t feasible under the constraints of this offseason’s dramatically lower salary cap of $183.5 million.

Now, it is incumbent on the NY Giants coming to terms on a long-term contract with Leonard Williams, who was franchise tagged last week, Williams’ cap charge on the tag is $19.35 million, the highest on the roster.

Whether Williams plays out the season on the tag, which would some prohibitive, or signs on long-term, the NY Giants were unable to keep both of their defensive line building blocks and chose Williams over Tomlinson.

Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.