Needs:
Pretty much everywhere on defense
-linebacker
-cornerback
-defensive tackle
-edge
Center
Receiver
Dream Additions:
Linebackers:
David Long Jr, Tennessee Titans
Azeez Al-Shaair, San Francisco 49ers
Devin Bush, Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Edwards, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tremaine Edmunds, Buffalo Bills
Cornerbacks:
Cameron Sutton, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rock Ya-Sin, Las Vegas Raiders
Nik Needham, Miami Dolphins
Isaiah Oliver, Atlanta Falcons
Tavierre Thomas, Houston Texans
Emmanuel Mosley, San Francisco 49ers
Greedy Williams, Cleveland Browns
Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Defensive Tackle:
-re-sign Dalvin Tomlinson
Center:
-re-sign Garrett Bradbury
Receiver:
DJ Chark, Detroit Lions
Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs
Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts
Darius Slayton, New York Giants
There was a time when my free agency dreams for the Vikings started with Jamel Dean and Tremaine Edmunds. That was shooting way too high. Both could be among the big winners of free agency. Vikings salary cap guru Rob Brzezinski would have to work some minor miracles to afford one, let alone both. Now, my free agency dreams for the Vikings start with David Long Jr. With the release of Eric Kendricks and potentially Jordan Hicks, it’s a new linebacker day in Minnesota. 2022 third-round pick Brian Asomoah is penciled in as one of the starters. I’d prefer a more experienced player with some starting experience next to him. Long could be that linebacker. He’s had a steady career progression during his four years with the Titans, culminating in a very productive 2022 season. He was arguably more productive than Edmunds last season. I like the thought of Asomoah and Long in the middle of the Vikings defense. I don’t think backs, receivers, and tight ends will be running past and from those two linebackers like they did so easily last season. As for cornerback, perhaps the help will come from a re-signing of Patrick Peterson. If the Vikings want to go younger, adding Cameron Sutton, Rock Ya-Sin, or Nik Needham to the team’s very young group would be a good thing. Greedy Williams could be an interesting addition. He hasn’t been the same player since a training camp injury wiped out his 2020 season. Maybe a change of scenery will bring out the talent that made him one of the top corners in the 2019 NFL Draft.
As for defensive tackle and center, the best options could be re-signing Dalvin Tomlinson and Garrett Bradbury. Tomlinson might be a priority re-signing. As for Bradbury, he’s had difficulties since the Vikings selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. His best season was last season. Perhaps future seasons in the same offense will be even better. Of the free agent centers, the familiar Bradbury might be the best option. A better option at center might be found in the draft. There are several centers at the top of the 2023 NFL Draft with the talent and potential to start immediately. As for receiver, Parris Campbell is an intriguing option. He was an explosive player in college at Ohio State. He was a second-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2019 NFL Draft. Last season was his first relatively injury-free season. He caught 63 passes. He has terrific speed. A deep threat would be a nice thing for the Vikings to have with so much attention paid to Justin Jefferson on an every down basis.
So, my Minnesota Vikings free agency dreams, at the moment, probably start with the additions of:
David Long Jr., LB
Cameron Sutton
Parris Campbell
The free agency fun starts soon.
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