Oct 31, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Paul Soliai (96) and defensive tackle Jared Odrick (98) celebrate defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime 22-20 at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings are deep in the process of retooling their defensive line. Right now, only two of last year’s key D-line contributors – Brian Robison and Sharrif Floyd – are still under contract. Starters Jared Allen and Kevin Williams are both headed to free agency, and Letroy Guion was recently cut.

Free agency will play a big part in filling the holes along the line. Michael Johnson is the big name on everyone’s mind, and the Vikings are believed to be one of the early bidders for his services.

Another player to keep an eye on is defensive tackle Paul Soliai of the Dolphins. Darren Wolfson confirms the Vikings are interested in Soliai.

Nose tackle is basically an empty void right now for the Vikings, with Fred Evans hitting free agency and Letroy Guion hitting the road. Neither of those guys was ever a true nose, but Paul Soliai is.

At 340 pounds, Soliai is in the old school tackle mold, big and powerful and able to provide an anchor. The Vikings haven’t had a specimen like him on the roster since Pat Williams.

As we’ve been informed multiple times in recent days, Mike Zimmer’s defensive approach favors disciplined run stopping along the D-line over up-the-field pass rushing. Soliai could give them the physical presence they need at the nose, a presence that just was not there when the undersized Guion was starting in Leslie Frazier’s system.

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