James Pierre, CB
Kyler Murray, QB
Other than the fireworks of signing a quarterback of Kyler Murray’s stature, it’s been a pretty quiet few days in Minnesota. It was mostly expected. The Vikings didn’t have a lot of cap space. They even had to shed and massage contracts to get to the limited cap space that they do have. They also had to luck into a league-minimum $1.3 million contract for their splashy quarterback signing. If the Vikings had to pay Murray’s market-rate contract, it wouldn’t happen. Through five days of free agency, the Vikings have handed out something like $7 million in guaranteed money. They passed that mark in past years before the first day of tampering was done.
Again, this wasn’t expected to be an active free agency for the Vikings. It wasn’t because of a lack of needs. They have plenty of needs. Most are going to be addressed in the draft. The Vikings must reverse their recent draft woes. Those woes resulted in a reliance on free agency. That’s an expensive way to exist in the NFL. The roster isn’t peppered with young, home-grown talent. That’s the main reason Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is working in San Francisco and no longer directing drafts in Minnesota. Still, there are a few needs that should be addressed in the remaining days of free agency. Here are some that I see,
QB3
WR3
Safety
Defensive Line
Head coach Kevin O’Connell and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski have both mentioned the need to create the strongest quarterback room possible. That’s a good strategy. Even after signing Kyler Murray to “compete” with J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings need a very capable #3. No more trotting out an ill-prepared Jaren Hall or Max Brosmer for must-win regular season games. Or any regular season games. With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the top of the receiver group is outstanding. Jalen Nailor’s departure opened the need for a third receiver. Perhaps, last year’s third-round pick Tai Felton makes that role his own. Even if that happens, the Vikings need some quality depth. A couple years ago, safety was a strength in both quality and quantity. Cam Bynum departed last offseason. Harrison Smith may or may not retire this offseason. I can’t imagine a Vikings defense without #22. I don’t want to see a Vikings defense without #22. Whether he returns or retires, the position is in transition. I expect safety to be addressed in the first couple rounds of the draft. It’d be nice to add a veteran in free agency. As for defensive line, the Vikings currently roster a very young and intriguing collection of undrafted, underrated, unheralded football players. I’m so taken by this group that, despite their unheralded status, I’d rather see the Vikings add to the group than replace them. A veteran addition could help. So, with those positions in mind, here are some of the players I wouldn’t mind seeing the Vikings sign.
Carson Wentz, QB
Juaun Jennings/Christian Kirk, WR
Kyle Dugger, S
AJ Epenesa, DL
The league-wide free agent activity of the first week has left slim pickings. With what’s left, those players stand out. I’d like to see Carson Wentz re-signed. A quarterback room of Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, and Carson Wentz would make it easier to sleep at night. The most pricey of the above is probably Juaun Jennings. I’m actually surprised that he’s still available. Perhaps his demands are higher than the Vikings, and other teams, can or are willing to pay. Christian Kirk is perhaps a cheaper alternative that knows Murray well. I’ve been a fan of Kyle Dugger since the 2020 pre-draft process. He played the last half of the past season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. New Vikings secondary coach Gerald Alexander coached the Steelers defensive backs last season. Alexander should know if Dugger can add something to the Vikings defense. AJ Epenesa was a sold defensive presence for the Buffalo Bills and could be a very good rotational player on the Vikings defensive line.
I believe that the above signings would set the Vikings up nicely for the draft. That should be the purpose of free agency. Fill some holes in free agency. Fill the roster with young, strong draft picks.
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