The Minnesota Vikings have 17 players that are scheduled to enter free agency in some fashion.
Unrestricted Free Agents
Chad Greenway, LB
Terrence Newman, CB
Rhett Ellison, TE
Mike Harris, OL
Andrew Sendejo, S
Matt Asiata, RB
Audie Cole, LB
Marcus Sherels, CB/PR
Justin Trattou, DE
Robert Blanton, S
Josh Robinson, CB
Kenrick Ellis, DT
Casey Matthews, LB
Jason Trusnick, LB
Restricted Free Agents
Zach Line, FB
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
Adam Thielen, WR
Carter Bykowski, OT
17 is a significant number of free agents. The interesting thing about that number is that Rhett Ellison is the only player that I feel is a must-sign free agent. And he's coming off a significant injury in the season finale. A torn patellar injury that has an expected rehab of at least six months. That time frame has Ellison back in time for training camp but it probably throws a twist in a contract extension. I'd like to see most of these free agents but that's not always possible. I'm assuming that the Vikings will bring back their restricted and exclusive rights free agents and it shouldn't cost much to do so. Zach Line and Adam Thielen have established roles with the team and they are roles that could expand moving forward. Injuries have kept Carter Bykowski off the field but he has some intriguing potential. Here's how I'd prioritize the Vikings unrestricted free agents.
1. Rhett Ellison, TE
2. Chad Greenway, LB
3. Terrence Newman, CB
4. Mike Harris, T
5. Marcus Sherels, CB
6. Audie Cole. LB
7. Matt Asiata
8. Justin Trattou
9. Andrew Sendejo
10. Josh Robinson
11. Robert Blanton
12. Casey Matthews
13. Jason Trusnick
14. Kenrick Ellis
Rhett Ellison is so important to so many things that the Vikings do on offense. He doesn't get credit for much because not much that he does shows up on stat sheets. He does the dirty work so that others can fill the stat sheets. Chad Greenway and Terrence Newman are veteran players that are at the year-to-year point of their careers. Each had a strong year last year and the same can be expected next year. Greenway isn't an every down linebacker now with the emergence of young linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks but he can still make plays. Newman could make a move to safety next year as last year's top pick Trae Waynes should be ready to take on a starting cornerback role. Greenway and Newman are important players on and off the field for the Vikings. Either or both could retire but I think each still has some football left and I'd like to see them play that football with the Vikings. Mike Harris started at right guard all season and was mostly solid. The Vikings #1 priority this offseason is improving the offensive line. Whether Harris is expected to be part of that improvement will be revealed in the contract that he may/may not be offered by the Vikings. The remaining free agents are special teams players and back-ups. Marcus Sherels is an excellent punt returner so that should be reason enough to bring him back for another camp battle. Andrew Sendejo started at safety last year but he seems to be at his ceiling as a full-time player and the Vikings need a player that can offer more than that ceiling. He provides decent depth and solid special teams play. As does Audie Cole and Justin Trattou. Each could be brought simply because the Vikings know what they have with them. Josh Robinson is fast, has some talent, and has starting experience. He also missed nearly all of last season with a torn pectoral injury. The Vikings know what they have with him and that probably isn't better than fourth or fifth on the depth chart at this point. That's the sort of depth that they will probably find from a younger player and he'll probably look for more than that from another team. Robert Blanton is probably in the same spot as Sendejo with less starting experience. Casey Matthews spent the entire season, and most of training camp, on injured reserve. Jason Trusnick, and Kenrick Ellis came to the Vikings as street free agents during the season. The team was desperate for them at the time.
There shouldn't be any tough negotiating battles with anyone from this group of free agents. The Vikings might spend more time working on contract extensions for players like Harrison Smith and Matt Kalil.
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