A Fine Vikings Free Agency?

When thinking about an NFL team’s free agency experience one thinks about adding players. Sitting about $15 million over the salary cap, the Minnesota Vikings have some work to do before they can even think about adding players. They will do that work. The Vikings have roster holes to fill. Hopefully, the efforts to get under the salary cap doesn’t create more holes. 

From my seat, the Vikings greatest roster need is at cornerback. A quick glance at the team’s current 2022 depth chart at the position shines a bright light on that need.

Cameron Dantzler

Kris Boyd

Harrison Hand

Parry Nickerson

Nice group. 

Any thoughts on what the Vikings might do this offseason starts with the cornerbacks. They probably won’t have the cap space to entertain thoughts of adding J.C. Jackson, Stephon Gilmore, or Carlton Davis.  But who knows? Maybe there’ll be some big surprises in the coming days. 

In thinking about a fine Vikings free agency, I’m going with the assumption that the Vikings won’t be able to afford the more “high-end” players. So, the focus is on the next tier. 

A Fine Vikings Free Agency:

D.J. Reed, CB, Seattle Seahawks

Donte Jackson, CB, Carolina Panthers

Lorenzo Carter, Edge, New York Giants

Folorunso Fatukasi, DT, New York Jets

Adding D.J. Reed and Donte Jackson might not settle the significant need at corner but it would ease the need to focus on the position in the draft. Reed would be a fine addition. He makes up for his lack of size with feisty competitiveness. Jackson might be a gamble. I really liked him in the 2018 NFL Draft. He hasn’t lived up to his second-round selection. Maybe a change of scenery will help him do so. He has the talent to be a quality football player. Lorenzo Carter is another player that I really liked in the 2018 NFL Draft. I like him still. The Vikings have several intriguing but unproven players vying for the open edge spot opposite Danielle Hunter. Carter would immediately jump to the top of the rotation. I doubt that the Vikings will spend more free agency dollars on another defensive tackle. I can’t help adding Folorunso Fatukasi to this fine free agency fantasy. He’d provide great competition and depth with Michael Pierce to be the big guy in the middle of the Vikings new 3-4 defense. Plus, Fatukasi has an outstanding name. 

I have no offensive players in this fine offseason. It’s not that I don’t see a need to add offensive players. The Vikings need someone to step up at right guard. That’s one of the team’s greatest needs. I hope that Wyatt Davis is that player in his second season. If the Vikings turn to free agency for the position’s answer, I like the age and potential of James Daniels. That age and potential will probably price him out of the Vikings grasp. Laken Tomlinson and Austin Corbett are more experienced options. As such, they might be more affordable options. If Tyler Conklin leaves in free agency, the Vikings will need a TE2. I prefer Conklin over any of the free agent tight ends that didn’t receive a franchise tag. 

The legal tampering window is only a weekend away.