The Vikings first priority the past few years has been their own in-house free agents before moving on to players that spent the last season with another team. The Vikings have a total of 19 unrestricted free agents this year, including 12 that started at least one game for the Vikings last year.
The big question is, who should stay and who should go? I try to answer that all-important question below, trying to predict which free agents are likely to re-sign and which will seek employment elsewhere.
Matt Cassel - QB
The best quarterback on the Vikings roster last season, Cassel started six games and played in another three. While Cassel is by no means a franchise quarterback, he is still productive as a starter, and could fit well into Norv Tuner's offensive scheme. The Vikings have made it clear they want Cassel back, likely either as their starting quarterback or as a mentor to a draft pick.
Would be nice to Keep
Jerome Simpson - WR
Simpson almost certainly would have made the priority list, if he couldn't stop getting in his own way. Fully healthy this season, Simpson finished with 726 receiving yards this season, good for second on the team. While passed up by Cordarelle Patterson on the depth chart near the end of the season, Simpson could still be a productive receiver for the team, if they feel he's worth the headache.
Everson Griffen - DE
Griffen presents a very interesting case, as his potential is huge but his production has not matched that yet. An extremely athletic lineman, Griffen has served as Jared Allen's backup for the past four years, but some feel his future would be brighter as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. The Vikings certainly don't want a player with his potential to just walk away, but how would he fit in Mike Zimmer's defense? And how much do you pay a player who could be a star but also a square peg in a round hole?
Fred Evans - DT
Evans will not be reaching a Pro Bowl anytime soon, but he has been a decent role player for the Vikings as a run-stuffing tackle the past few years. With most of the Vikings defensive line set to hit free agency, keeping a guy like Evans on at least for depth would be a smart move for the Vikings.
Kevin Williams - DT
A future Ring of Honor member, Williams has been one of the best to ever don purple and gold, but is reaching the end of his career at age 33 (and he will be 34 before the season starts). Williams is not the player he once was, but he could still be productive in limited action. Of course, at his age, he will only be resigned on a team friendly deal.
Unlikely to Resign
Jared Allen - DE
Allen has been one of the most productive pass rushers of this era, but age seemed to catch up with him last season, when he seemed to wear down and lose some of his quick initial burst. It will be interesting to see what kind of contract he brings on the market, as many teams may not see him as an every down player anymore. Allen knows his career is near its end as well, so he may look to sign with a team he feels is close to a Super Bowl.
Toby Gerhart - RB
Gerhart has been a very good soldier for the Vikings since drafted as Adrian Peterson's backup, but now it's time for him to go out and produce on his own. He may not become a lead back next year, but he will sign with a team that will at least feature in a rotation more heavily than he was in Minnesota.
Solid Depth to Have
Joe Berger - C/OG
Versatile veteran lineman who can back up multiple positions for the Vikings. Was a spot starter for the Vikings when injuries hit and handled himself well enough to stick around somewhere.
Marvin Mitchell - LB
Solid special teams player who started at weakside linebacker at the beginning of the year. Should not be a defensive starter, but provides quality special teams depth.
Likely to be Moving On
Josh Freeman - QB
Showed nothing in his one start and did not seem to work hard behind the scenes. Still has plenty of potential, but it'll be someone else trying to work with that next year.
Chris Cook - CB
No interceptions in four years with the Vikings, and seemed to be frequently burned towards the end of last year. Cook does not seem capable to be a starting NFL cornerback and the Vikings will probably let him sign a deal elsewhere while they try to rebuild their secondary without him.
Charlie Johnson - OG
The Vikings starter at left guard last season, Johnson was easily the worst starter on the offensive line last year. With some young players and solid depth at the guard position, the Vikings will likely try to upgrade at guard rather than bring back Johnson.
Erin Henderson - LB
Cut by the Vikings earlier this year due to numerous off the field incidents, Henderson appears to have left Winter Park forever. The Vikings will try to move past Henderson and pick up an upgrade either in free agency or the draft this year.
Joe Webb - WR
The Vikings former backup quarterback, Webb tried to make the transition to wide receiver this year to take advantage of his athleticism. Webb did not show a ton of potential at the position last season, and the Vikings are probably best served to look elsewhere for depth at the receiver position.
Desmond Bishop - LB
A smart depth signing for the Vikings this offseason, Bishop tore his ACL early in the season this year and his career appears to be in jeopardy. The Vikings may still resign him if they feel he can get back on the field, but it seems like a very risky signing at this point in time.
Seth Olsen - OG
Solid depth, but not exceptional. Olsen could very well be back, or the Vikings could look somewhere else for offensive line depth.
Larry Dean - LB
Special teams player who offers little on defense. Likely to be replaced by a younger player with more defensive talent.
J'Marcus Webb - OT
Depth signing late in the offseason for the Vikings who never played that well. A big liability in pass protection.
Those are my thoughts on how the Vikings view their in-house free agents. Soon, I'll take a lot at potential outside free agents the Vikings could look to target starting March 11.
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