The Vikings have approximately $32 million in cap space to spend this offseason, the seventh most in the league. The Vikings could potentially create even more space for themselves will likely personnel moves like restructuring linebacker Chad Greenway's contract (currently an $8.2 million cap hit) or cutting unproductive defensive tackle Letroy Guion ($4.3 million).
The good news for the Vikings is that they have plenty of space, and unlike some teams, they have few players coming down the pike who have earned a large extension (of course, that could be considered a bad thing too). Any extensions the Vikings may be ready to pursue in the near future as well (for instance, Matt Kalil, available for an extension next offseason), will likely be easily balanced by their current cap structure (cutting John Carlson could create plenty of room next year, for instance).
All of this adds up to say the Vikings are in a good position to spend. But will they? Rick Speilman has not typically been very aggressive in the free agency period, and with a rebuilding team that will be playing in a college stadium the next two years he may not have a ton to sell potential targets on.
What the Vikings may be able to seel to them, at least on defense, is Mike Zimmer. Zimmer has almost universal respect around the league, so it will be interesting to see if players have potential interest in playing under him. Norv Turner could also be an attractive selling point to offensive players, though the Vikings aren't likely going to be as active on that side of the ball.
A number of Zimmer's old players from the Bengals that are free agents this offseason have already been linked as fits for the Vikings, so it will be very interesting to see if some of them end up rejoining him. Not only could the Vikings get some potential impact players, but Zimmer could have players who know his system help explain it to the rest of the locker room.
Here's some potential players at positions of need for the Vikings, with a few targets at each position. By no means is this a comprehensive list, but it should give you an idea of what Rick Speilman could be looking for this offseason (a full list of NFL free agents can be found here:(http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000316435/article/2014-nfl-free-agents-by-team)
All the free agents listed should at least have a shot of being signed by the Vikings. If the player is likely to be franchised tagged or seen as a priority for their current team (ex. Greg Hardy) they won't be on this list. Also off the list are potentially productive players who are above the age of 30, since the Vikings tend to avoid paying older players large sums of money (ex. Shaun Philips).
Positions the Vikings will likely ignore in FA: RB, FB, TE, OT
Positions they will likely wait to address: WR, OG, S
Positions the Vikings are likely to make a priority:
Quarterback
The Vikings have made it clear they want to add a veteran passer to potentially start for them, or at least help mentor a young quarterback they add through the draft. They've made it clear they'd like that quarterback to be Matt Cassel, but here are some other potential options for them if Cassel goes elsewhere.
Matt Schaub, 32 - Houston Texans (likely to be cut)
Schaub imploded for the Texans last year, and bad quarterback play was a main reason the team ended up with the No. 1 overall pick. While Schaub has never been exceptional, he has been very productive most of his seasons as a starter and would be a solid starter if the Vikings need him to be.
Michael Vick, 33 - Philadelphia Eagles
Vick certainly had his issues in the past, but he handled himself exceptionally well in Philadelphia last year when he lost his starting job to Nick Foles. Vick still has a strong arm that could fit well in Norv Turner's vertical offense, though Vick's propensity for turnovers could prove frustrating.
Defensive End
With Jared Allen likely to walk in free agency and with Everson Griffen also a free agent, the Vikings are in need of a pass rusher to pressure opposing quarterbacks. While they may resign Everson Griffen for that purpose, they would also be wise to consider adding a rotational player when Griffen or Brian Robison need a rest.
Michael Johnson, 27 - Cincinnati Bengals
Johnson has been linked to the Vikings and his former coordinator Zimmer frequently throughout the offseason, with the USA Today's Tom Pelissero reporting from the combine there seemed to be a chance of a reunion. Johnson is an exceptional run defender and is a quality pass rusher (though his sack totals dropped off in 2013, he still recorded plenty of quarterback pressures), the only question would be how much the Vikings would be willing to pay him.
Robert Ayers, 29 - Denver Broncos
Ayers would be a solid rotational signing if the Vikings chose to resign Griffen. A former first round pick, Ayers has largely been disappointing in his career but recorded 5.5 sacks in 2013 rotating with Shaun Philips. Zimmer has had success with reclamation projects in the past, and could be eager to work with Ayer's potential.
Defensive Tackle
While the Vikings drafted Sharrif Floyd in the first round last year to take over for Kevin Williams, they are still in need of a large run-stuffing defensive tackle in the mold of Pat Williams. Fred Evans is a current free agent at the position, but he's a guy you want more for depth, not as a starter.
Linval Joseph, 25 - New York Giants
Joseph has been a monster in the middle for the Giants since he was drafted, winning a Super Bowl with the team two years ago. The Giants would very much like to keep him, but he may price himself out of their range. If so, the Vikings would likely have high interest if Speilman could spare the cash.
B.J. Raji, 28 - Green Bay Packers
A big nose tackle in the Packers 3-4 system, Raji declined a contract extension from the Packers last year and now they seem likely to let him walk. Raji has been inconsistent throughout his career, but his big size and lack of athleticism may make it easy for him to transition to a run-plugging 4-3 tackle.
Linebacker
The Vikings had a shoddy group of linebackers last year, with Erin Henderson proving to be a bad fit in the middle and Chad Greenway having one of the worst seasons in his career. What the Vikings do at this position will be largely dependent on how they view the options already on their roster. Do they need completely new options or are they confident 2013 rookies Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti can develop?
Jon Beason, 29 - Carolina Panthers/New York Giants
Traded to the Giants in the beginning of October, Beason helped solidify the New York defense, as the unit gave up about half as many points per game with him on the field (18.3 compared to 36.5).While that improvement cannot be credited entirely to Beason, his addition clearly made an impact. No longer a major athlete at this point in his career, Beason is a proven leader who can make an impact in the right system.
Wesley Woodyard, 27 - Denver Broncos
An atheltic and versatile linebacker, Woodyard was able to play both inside and outside linebacker in the Broncos system. Woodyard made his share of big plays, but he was not a consistent player and didn't always light up the stat sheet. Still, he'd be an upgrade at just about every linebacker spot for the Vikings.
Cornerback
The Vikings need to upgrade their 31st ranked pass defense, and to do that, they need new bodies to plug in opposite Xavier Rhodes at corner. Depth and talent were a big issue at the position in 2013, and multiple new bodies are likely to be on the 2014 depth chart here.
Alterraun Verner, 25 - Tennessee Titans
A Pro Bowler last year, signing Verner would be the biggest splash the Vikings could make this offseason outside of signing Johnson. The Vikings will likely have to enter a bidding war to get Verner however, and Speilman may be reluctant to do that with so many holes on the roster.
Captain Munnerlyn, 26 - Carolina Panthers
A playmaker from the slot cornerback position, Munnerlyn is known for getting big returns when he gets his hands on the ball. Munnerlyn is not an exceptional talent, but is a very solid starter at a position the Vikings were very weak at last year.
Tarell Brown, 29 - San Francisco 49ers
Cut by the 49ers due to his bloated salary, Brown would be considered a top cornerback if he came to the Vikings. His best years are probably behind him, but he'd still be better than most of the Vikings in-house options at the position.
Brandon Ghee, 26 - Cincinnati Bengals
Former cornerback for the Bengals who could be looking to rejoin his old coach in Minnesota. While he likely wouldn't start for the Vikings, it certainly couldn't hurt to add him as competition at the position for training camp.
Free agency will officially open on March 11. It won't be clear until then how active the Vikings will decide to be in free agency, and how many players they may actually try to sign off this list.
With their cap space though, you hope they would at least entertain signing one if not several of these players. The Vikings probably need multiple defensive lineman from free agency, and I would hope they would seriously consider signing at least one veteran corner as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment