With free agency only about a week away, it's time to look at how the Vikings roster currently shakes out to see what improvements need to be made. Each breakdown will look at a specific position group to see how the Vikings shake out there before the official start of the new league year.
First up, the most important position of all: quarterback
It should come as no surprise to anyone that quarterback should be extremely high on the Vikings priority list for 2014. Christian Ponder just didn't develop as people hoped in 20132, and it seems fair to say now that Ponder is officially a bust after the Vikings selected him 12th overall in 2011. The Vikings clearly have the worst quarterback situation in their division and one of the worst in the NFL, as they currently have no proven veterans on the team or a younger passer with upside. Yikes.
On the Roster: Christian Ponder
As stated above, it seems the Vikings have admitted they whiffed on Ponder back in 2011, but right now, he's all they've got. Ponder never developed in reading the field with the Vikings, and his arm just may not be up to scratch when it comes to an NFL starter. This doesn't mean Ponder has the ability to be a backup with some upside, but that's all he is at this point, and he may not even achieve that with the Vikings. Rick Speilman is probably going to shop Ponder for whatever he can get over the summer, as both he and the team could use a fresh start.
Free Agents: Matt Cassel, Josh Freeman
Matt Cassel is nothing more than an average at best quarterback in the NFL, but the Vikings offense seemed to click a lot more with him under center in 2013. Cassel makes some bad decisions and has plenty of physical limitations, but he was able to distribute the ball effectively for the Vikings and get multiple people involved in the offense, something Ponder was incapable of doing. Cassel will likely never be a consistent starter, much less a franchise quarterback, but he is a valuable veteran who can be productive when called upon.
Josh Freeman was a high upside signing for the Vikings midway through the season, but it looks like he'll amount to just about nothing in Minnesota. Freeman has all the physical tools scouts covet in quarterbacks, but he has just never put it together in his NFL career, and he certainly hit rock bottom with the Vikings. Freeman started one game for the Vikings immediately after signing, performed horribly, and then was never heard from again. There were rumors and reports coming out of Winter Park that questioned Freeman's work ethic, and ultimately this signing looks like a swing and a miss for Speilman. You can't blame him for taking the at bat, but now it's time to get someone else out there.
What should Rick do? (WSRD?)
If it isn't completely obvious, the Vikings need to invest heavily in this position during the 2014 offseason. Christian Ponder is the only quarterback on the roster right now, and Speilman should do everything in his power this offseason to move him to give a fresh start to both Ponder and himself. The Vikings need both a veteran at this position to possibly start for the short term, and a younger passer to hopefully groom for the future. If Ponder is moved, the Vikings could even add a third body as a developmental backup to stash on the practice squad if the Vikings deem him worth. In an ideal scenario, the Vikings would re-sign Cassel or sign Matt Schaub in free agency, draft a rookie in the first three rounds, and then spend another pick on a quarterback in the seventh round or sign one in undrafted free agency. This position needs a complete overhaul, and until Rick gets this right the Vikings won't be able to catch up to the other franchises in their division.
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