First Step To 2013

Most people think of the start of NFL free agency as that midnight hour in March when teams can start throwing money at the free agents from other teams. It really starts when the team's season ends. The Minnesota Vikings took that first step to 2013 on Monday when they re-signed all eight players from the practice squad to reserve/future contracts. This keeps defensive tackle Chase Baker, receivers LaMark Brown and Chris Summers, running back Joe Banyard, corner Bobby Felder, tight end Chase Ford and offensive linemen Kevin Murphy and Tyler Holmes under contract through the offseason. It's a start.

The Vikings have 10 players that can become unrestricted free agents in March. Right tackle Phil Loadholt and Pro Bowl fullback Jerome Felton top that list. They are likely the Vikings top re-signing priority. Safety Jamarca Sanford played well this year. He's been a terrific special teams performer for several years but he really stepped up in the secondary this year. I'm pretty sure that the Vikings will try to get him signed. Linebackers Jasper Brinkley and Erin Henderson might get the opportunity to look around. I think that the Vikings would like to bring them back but I don't think that they'll get into a bidding war with other teams. Both have been solid football players. I hope that guard Geoff Schwartz is re-signed. He lost the battle at right guard to Brandon Fusco in training camp but he still got some playing time during the season. If one of the two can play on the left side, I like Fusco and Schwartz as the Vikings guards for a long time. Offensive lineman Joe Berger will likely be allowed to sign elsewhere in favor of younger linemen. Receivers Jerome Simpson and Devin Aromashadu are the last of the pending unrestricted free agents. Simpson was expected to make a greater downfield impact. He struggled early with injuries and didn't make many plays until the end of the season. Receiver is the Vikings greatest need. If the Vikings open up the checkbook in free agency I expect that it will be at receiver. They'll likely draft a receiver at the top of the draft. Those additions might not leave room for Simpson and Aromashadu. Corners Marcus Sherels and A.J. Jefferson, safety Andrew Sendejo and tackle Troy Kropog will be restricted free agents so they'll likely be back.

Those are the first steps to building the 2013 Minnesota Vikings roster. It may not be as exciting as what starts in March but it can be as important.