2012 NFL Free-Agent Signings: Minnesota Vikings Ink LB Erin Henderson

At least one Henderson brother will be sticking with the Minnesota Vikings next season. 

While E.J. Henderson remains unsigned, the Vikings agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with free-agent linebacker Erin Henderson Friday afternoon. The St. Paul Pioneer-Press were the first to report the signing. 

Only 25 years old, Henderson returns on a low-risk, high-reward deal for the Vikings. 

While taken off the field on many passing downs last season, Henderson quickly emerged as one of the NFL's most underrated 4-3 outside linebackers.

According to Pro Football Focus, Henderson was rated as the No. 4 overall outside linebacker in a 4-3 last season, behind just Von Miller, Daryl Smith and Kamerion Wimbley. His biggest value came against the run, where Henderson graded out as the third best run-stopper at his position. 

He also missed just five tackles and contributed 38 "stops," which PFF describes as a tackle that constitutes an offensive failure. 

Nothing more than a special teams player his first three seasons, Henderson started 11 games in 2011 and tallied 75 total tackles.

A one-year, $2 million deal is pocket change for the production Minnesota got out of him last year, but teams simply aren't willing to pay players like Henderson—a top linebacker against the run, but one that provides little more against the pass.

Henderson returns to combine with Chad Greenway among Minnesota's linebackers, but time will tell if the Vikings are willing to bring back E.J. Henderson to man the middle. Erin's brother is also an unrestricted free agent.

The only risk in this deal for the Vikings could be down the road. As Jeremy Fowler of the Pioneer-Press writes, Henderson could continue to increase his value for 2013 if he continues to build on his breakout performance from last season.  

A two- or three-year deal might have made sense, but it's hard to argue with retaining a productive player for just $2 million. If Henderson produces again next season, it's a win-win deal for both sides.