NFL Rumors: Vikings' Danielle Hunter Linked to Jaguars, Broncos Ahead of 2024 NFL FA

Minnesota Vikings defensive end and impending free agent Danielle Hunter should draw significant interest from other teams next spring as he cruises through a dominant 2023 season in which he co-leads the NFL with 11 sacks.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, two of those interested teams are expected to be the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos.

"No one has helped their free agency profile more than Hunter, who is tracking for nearly 19 sacks on the season. Hunter will be 29 to start the 2024 season, paving the way for a lucrative three- or four-year deal at well above $20 million per season. Jacksonville has long been a fan of Hunter's game, but Denver also could bolster its pass rush -- the Broncos are typically unafraid to spend in March."

The eight-year NFL veteran has played his entire career with the Vikings. He's a three-time Pro Bowler with 82 sacks and 427 tackles to his name.

Hunter will surely command a massive haul in free agency. Last year, the top-paid defensive lineman in free agency (defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to the San Francisco 49ers) received $84 million over four years.

As a top star at a premium position on the right side of 30, Hunter could vault well over that average annual value mark. His production and track record merits it, quite frankly, and he's putting in a case to be named the Associated Press' Defensive Player of the Year.

Hunter and the Vikings got into a contract dispute last offseason, but the two sides ultimately agreed on a one-year, $17 million guaranteed deal with another possible $3 million in incentives.

This season will surely lead to more long-term security and money, however. It's just a matter of where Hunter finds that contract next season.