The NFL’s free agency period begins later today, after the three-day warmup of what many call the “legal tampering period”, where teams can contact and negotiate with pending free agents, but only contracts for players returning to their current teams can be finalized. Minnesota, for example, re-signed long snapper Cullen Loeffler and backup defensive tackle Tom Johnson over the last few days.
The Vikings currently hold the #11 pick in the first round of the NFL draft later this spring, but Vikings general manager “Trader Rick” Spielman has been a very active participant in swapping draft picks in each of the last three drafts, so I think it’s highly likely that unless the team has identified an overriding requirement for a particular player they’ll be looking to trade back at least a few spots in the first round to gain additional later round picks. Spielman has said on more than one occasion that he likes to have 9-10 picks every draft, and has managed to obtain multiple first round picks in each of the last three drafts (Kalil and Smith in 2012, Floyd, Rhodes, and Patterson in 2013, and Barr and Bridgewater in 2014). You can only get extra picks through shrewd deal-making, and Spielman has proven that he’s quite shrewd.
Between free agency and the draft, the Vikings need to address certain positional weaknesses and/or add depth to cope with injuries or other events preventing players from taking the field (*cough* Adrian Peterson *cough*). Here are the areas I think the team will concentrate on once the madness of full free agency begins.
Middle linebacker
Need: Last year’s starter Jasper Brinkley’s contract is up, and the defensive line could use a better run-stopper behind them to shoot the A-gaps or to drop into coverage on passing downs. Audie Cole had an excellent game in place of Brinkley at the end of the season, but it’s not clear whether the coaches feel he can perform at that level over a full season. I’ve seen no reports yet that the team has contacted Brinkley about returning for this season.
Under contract for 2015: Audie Cole, Michael Mauti.
Wide receiver
Need: Cordarrelle Patterson did not grow into the player he was expected to be in his sophomore year, and has been assigned an off-season mentor to try to get him back on track. Greg Jennings is owed a lot of money, but has not provided the expected return on the investment (but improved as Bridgewater began to take control of his own game). There’s been a fair bit of buzz that the Vikings may try to re-unite Teddy Bridgewater with his favourite college receiver (Louisville’s DeVante Parker) but Parker may not be available if the Vikings trade out of their current #11 spot. 49ers free agent Michael Crabtree has been mentioned as a player the Vikings have contacted.
Under contract for 2015: Greg Jennings, Charles Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Jarius Wright, Adam Thielen, Donte Foster, Kain Colter.
Guard
Need: Charlie Johnson was cut at the end of February, which was no surprise as he had not been playing at an acceptable level for his salary and experience. Vlad Ducasse didn’t show much value in spot coverage and is not expected to be re-signed. Rookie David Yankey was expected to challenge Johnson for the starting role, but ended up only suiting up for a few games and saw almost no action. Backup Joe Berger filled in well at both guard positions (he’s nominally the backup to centre John Sullivan), and is also a free agent this year, but reports indicate the team hasn’t offered enough to interest Berger yet. Cincinnati’s Clint Boling is one free agent that the Vikings have indicated an interest in signing, and would be a definite upgrade from Johnson.
Under contract for 2015: Brandon Fusco, David Yankey, Austin Wentworth.
Outside linebacker
Need: Rookie Anthony Barr had a great season, although he is still developing and learning. Long-time strong linebacker Chad Greenway is nearing the end of his career, and may not be with the team unless he renegotiates his salary for a more team-friendly cap figure. Gerald Hodges played in Greenway’s position at the end of the season with Greenway injured and held up quite well.
Under contract for 2015: Gerald Hodges, Brandon Watts, Dom Decicco, Josh Kaddu, Brian Peters.
Safety
Need: Robert Blanton and Andrew Sendejo both saw the field last season with rising star Harrison Smith, but the coaching staff didn’t seem convinced that either one was the answer. The team will almost certainly pick up Smith’s fifth year option and/or sign him to an extension. A free agent or drafted replacement would help improve the deep secondary. Former Denver Bronco Rahim Moore and former Bengal Taylor Mays have been mentioned as being contacted by the Vikings.
Under contract for 2015: Harrison Smith, Robert Blanton, Andrew Sendejo, Antone Exum, Ahmad Dixon, Pierre Warren.
Running back (if Adrian Peterson doesn’t return to the team)
Need: Peterson’s appeal was successful, but the league immediately placed him back on commisioner’s exempt list and the launched an appeal to a higher court, which won’t be heard for some time (potentially several months). While on the list, Peterson can’t take part in normal off-season activities but he is able to communicate with the team and is eligible to be traded or cut. Rumour through his agent and Peterson’s father imply that he has no interest in renegotiating his deal and/or wants out of Minnesota (Dallas and Arizona are among the teams mentioned as possible destinations). If Peterson doesn’t return to the team, it’s not like there’s nobody to tote the rock in his place, as Jerick McKinnon showed great promise as a change-of-pace back, but he may have the frame to play as an every-down running back. Matt Asiata showed that he can function quite well as a goal-line runner and has reportedly agreed to return for 2015 on a one-year deal.
Under contract for 2015: (Adrian Peterson), Jerick McKinnon, Joe Banyard, Henry Josey, Zach Line (FB).
Cornerback
Need: Xavier Rhodes is well on the way to becoming a true shut-down corner, but the other cornerback position is still up for grabs. Captain Munnerlyn had a bad first season with the Vikings and really does seem to be far better in the slot than on the outside. Josh Robinson bounced back from a truly terrible 2013 season (where he played out-of-position in the slot), but he still was victimized too frequently by the NFC North’s tall receivers. The team has reportedly contacted cornerbacks Bradley Fletcher (Philadelphia) and Davon House (Green Bay). In several mock drafts, the Vikings have been identified as likely picking MSU cornerback Trae Waynes at #11.
Under contract for 2015: Xavier Rhodes, Captain Munnerlyn, Josh Robinson, Marcus Sherels, Shaun Prater, Chris Greenwood, Jalil Carter, DeMarcus Van Dyke.
Quarterback
Need: With Christian Ponder’s fifth year option not picked up and Matt Cassel being traded to Buffalo, the Vikings only have Teddy Bridgewater and Pat Devlin under contract. Expect both a free-agent signing and a draft pick to be used to restock the quarterback position and determine who will back-up Bridgewater this year. Reports indicate that Shaun Hill, who started his career with the Vikings, has been offered a contract to come in as Teddy’s backup. Another former Viking in the free agent market is Tarvaris Jackson, who has indicated he’d be interested in returning to the Twin Cities.
Under contract for 2015: Teddy Bridgewater, Pat Devlin.
