For the first time in a long time, perhaps ever, the Vikings have enough salary cap space to be significant players in the free agent market. The excellent contract/salary cap sites (Spotrac and Over the Cap) have the Vikings with ~$63 million with which to play. That amount ranks sixth in the league. With significant needs on the interior of the offensive and defensive lines as well as cornerback, the Vikings have some work to do. It’s a good thing they have that cap space. The work likely won’t come cheap. Here’s a free agency dream for the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings could get things started with a contract extension for cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. His re-signing is reportedly a priority. Murphy is expected to receive a contract approaching, perhaps exceeding, $20 million. That means that there are two paths for the Vikings. One with Murphy. One without Murphy. I continually flip back and forth between the two. I’d love to have Murphy back. He fits and knows Brian Flores’ defensive system. There’s also the possibility that the Vikings could sign two quality corners for a little more than just re-signing Murphy. Which is the better route? I’m glad that it’s not my decision.
With Murphy:
Re-sign:
Byron Murphy Jr., CB
Sign:
Jonathan Allen, DT
Will Fries, G
Paulson Adebo, CB
Without Murphy:
Sign:
Jonathan Allen, DT
Will Fries, G
D.J. Reed, CB
Paulson Adebo, CB
Since the end of the season, I’d been absolutely sold on pursuing Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams. With his excellent play in the postseason, he probably pushed his next deal to, at least, $25 million. While I wouldn’t be opposed to his signing, I’m leaning toward the addition of Jonathan Allen as the better option. At 30, he’s more than four years older than Williams. While that’s not ideal, Allen still has at least a couple more years of solid, even elite, play in him. Combine him with a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Harrison Phillips, and youngsters Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez and the Vikings have a much improved defensive line. Allen will command a decent contract but it should be much less than the one coming Williams’ way. Another plus to signing Allen is that his signing wouldn’t factor into the compensatory pick formula.
Signing Will Fries is an easy decision. The Vikings must improve the interior offensive line. With the Kansas City Chiefs using the franchise tag to secure Trey Smith, Fries is the top free agent guard. He’d fit in nicely between right tackle Brian O’Neill and center Garrett Bradbury. It’s not a high bar but Fries would be the Vikings best guard since Steve Hutchinson departed after the 2011 season. It’s sad that it’s been more than a decade since the Vikings have had a guard of Fries quality.
Before his injury (broken leg) early last season, I really liked the trajectory of Paulson Adebo. If not for that injury, I’m guessing that he’d be in line for a contract similar to the one Byron Murphy Jr. is apparently going to get. Coming off an injury probably means a lighter, but shorter, deal. I believe that Adebo is still an ascending player.
In the above scenarios, it comes down to Byron Murphy Jr. or D.J. Reed. If it were truly that simple, the decision is easy. Re-sign Murphy. It would be more expensive but I’d feel better about the Vikings cornerbacks situation with Murphy part of it.
If the Vikings can add Jonathan Allen, Will Fries, and Paulson Adebo over the next few days, that would be an outstanding start to the offseason.
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