Viking Moves

The start of free agency is a month away. The Minnesota Vikings have some work to do before they even get to that day. There's draft meetings and then the NFL Scouting Combine that will take most of the next couple of weeks. When they get to thinking about free agents they have to start with their own.
In my opinion, these are the Vikings free agents-to-be that must be re-signed:
T    Phil Loadholt
FB Jerome Felton
S   Jamarca Sanford

After those three, there area a few players that could be brought back at the right price:
WR Jerome Simpson
G    Geoff Schwartz
LB  Erin Henderson
LB  Jasper Brinkley

Simpson had a difficult season. It started with a suspension. Injuries took away most of the rest of his season. He never completely recovered and was never able to get in sync with the rest of the offense. He was brought in to be a deep threat. It never happened. He has some unique physical skills. He just has to stay on the field long enough to show it. As for Henderson and Brinkley, it's difficult to to lose 2/3 of your starting linebackers but the Vikings need to get more impact from players not named Chad Greenway. I can see one of Brinkley and Henderson being re-signed. If I had to guess, that player would be Henderson.

On March 12, the free-for-all that is NFL Free Agency begins. The Vikings currently have anywhere from 10-15 million under the salary cap. That number will change due to the hopeful signings of their own free agents and possible restructuring of existing contracts. The Vikings greatest needs are at receiver, middle linebacker and defensive tackle. There's always a need at corner. General manager Rick Spielman prefers to build through the draft. He'll spend in free agency, even spend big for the right player, but he more than likely will concentrate on the second tier of players coming out of their rookie contracts. As much as some fans want to see receivers like Mike Wallace and Dwayne Bowe signed, I don't see it happening. Greg Jennings is one receiver that might get some interest from the Vikings. He's a bit older than the team might like but that might be enough to put him in their price range. If the Vikings spend big on a player, I kinda hope that it might be for Miami Dolphins corner Sean Smith. More likely, I see a free agent class looking more like this:
LB    Brad Jones
WRs  Brian Hartline and/or Ramses Barden
DT   Vance Walker

This isn't a big name catch but I like the potential. Hartline had a breakout season last season. His best years are likely in front of him. I liked Barden when he came out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2009. He hasn't gotten a lot of playing time being a part of the New York Giants stable of receivers. I'd like to see what he can do with more time on the field. At 6'6", Barden is a huge receiver. Jones and Walker would be two nice additions to an improving defense.

The most significant offseason move for the Vikings would be signing receiver Percy Harvin to a contract extension. If for no other reason, this would stop all the idiotic rumors.