Busy Offseason Looms for the Minnesota Vikings
Sep 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs the ball against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
It’s that time in the offseason where the hangover from the Super Bowl has worn off, everything has settled, and teams are looking to address needs going into next season. While the Vikings have a young core of talent that shows both promise and production, there are still gaping holes that need to be filled in order for this team to take the next step. The Vikings enter this offseason with the excitement that they haven’t carried in quite some time. For once, they don’t have to address the Quarterback issue. On the other hand, they have to address the running back position – a position that has not been in question for nearly a decade until this offseason. On top of that, they have some serious offensive line issues (particularly along the left side), a secondary that could use some depth, a linebacking corps that is aging, and a wide receiving corps that lacks a number one wide receiver. To say the least, an interesting offseason looms for General Manager Rick Spielman and his team.
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One thing I’ve learned over Rick Spielman’s tenure as General Manager is that he is aggressive. His aggressiveness has been shown especially in the last 3 drafts, accumulating 7 first round picks in the process. The wonderful thing about that aggressiveness is that it has paid off in the Vikings’ favor. With these successful results, don’t be surprised if Spielman does much the same in this upcoming draft.
Of course, the draft hinges on what we do in free agency. So what positions do we address in free agency and what positions do we address in the draft? Well, in my humble opinion, I think that offensive line, or more specifically left guard, is a need that should be addressed in free agency. When I look at some of the talent that are currently free agents at left guard, two names stick out to me: San Francisco’s Mike Iupati and Seattle’s James Carpenter. The Vikings have moved on from left guard Charlie Johnson, and find a replacement to help protect our young quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. If the Vikings could sign a talent like Carpenter or Iupati to a 5 year deal in the range of 6 million a year, that would significantly boost our offensive line.
After signing a left guard, I think the Vikings need to add some depth on the defensive side. A guy that comes to mind is Michael Johnson, defensive end/linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If you can remember, the Vikings tried to sign Johnson last offseason due to his familiarity and production with Mike Zimmer’s defense. In the end, Johnson ended up signing with Tampa Bay, and the Vikings retained Everson Griffen, which has shown a strong return thus far. While Johnson is not a free agent, he is subject to being released after a disappointing year, and what better way to get him to produce then to put him with the coach that got the most out of him (Mike Zimmer)? If the rumors are true and Johnson is indeed cut, I think it would be a perfect fit to bring Johnson in as a pass rusher who can play both linebacker and defensive end. Essentially, Johnson could split time with Brian Robison at defensive end, and also get some work at outside linebacker, opposite of Anthony Barr. Johnson’s market won’t be as extreme as it was last offseason, but he could still command a contract at about 5 million a year, which I still think is a steal if Zimmer can get him to produce the way he did in Cincinnati. Johnson is still only 28, and would be a welcome addition to the defense.
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If the Vikings do indeed address defensive line and offensive line in free agency, the next order of business is to figure out the running back situation. As far as the running back position is concerned, there is not a lack of talent by any means. However, there’s question as to if that talent, more specifically Adrian Peterson, wants to stick around. In Peterson’s court hearing a couple weeks ago, Peterson was asked if he would like to return to the Vikings, in which he replied, “of course”. Although, recently there have been reports from ESPN and various sports sites that Peterson wants out and that he is uncomfortable coming back to the Vikings. The situation will get interesting as the offseason goes on, but my personal belief is that Adrian Peterson will be the Minnesota Vikings starting running back next year, backed up by Jerick McKinnon. I simply believe this because not many teams are willing to trade for a running back who is almost 30 years old and is getting paid about 13 million. Moreover, it’s hard to see Peterson clamoring to get cut because in the open market he probably won’t get half the amount of money the Vikings are giving him. It’s not that Peterson lacks the talent, it’s just that free agent running backs typically don’t get much in the open market anymore, especially this year with a deep running back class in the draft. If the Vikings and Peterson can work out their issues as far as money is concerned, and he is indeed reinstated by the NFL, there’s no question to me that he can produce the way he has in the past. Simply put, the Vikings running game will not be an issue if Peterson is back.
Once the Adrian Peterson situation is resolved, the draft process will be a clearer one. Hypothetically, going into the draft the Vikings could have their defensive line, offensive line, and running back positions figured out via free agency and reinstatement. What does that leave for needs going into the draft? Well, the obvious needs to me are safety, cornerback, linebacker, and wide receiver. It’s fair to say that most Vikings fans would love to see them draft a wide receiver in the first round. Wide receiver is always a sexy pick, and there are some top-level talents in this year’s draft, such as Amari Cooper, Kevin White, and DeVante Parker. My hope is that the Vikings can snag 1 of these 3 top-tier talents in the first round, then address the secondary in the second and third rounds.
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Going into the second round, the Vikings could be looking at secondary players such as cornerback P.J. Williams (Florida State), safety Cody Prewitt (Ole Miss), and safety Gerrod Holliman (Louisville). At this point, I would love to see the Vikings get a big, physical corner such as P.J. Williams to be our number 2 cornerback. In the third round, it’s possible that a talent like Prewitt could still be there, in which case I hope we draft him to be our safety alongside Harrison Smith. If the Vikings address wide receiver, cornerback and safety in the first three rounds of the draft, it’s safe to say that they can use the rest of the draft to find depth and hidden talent. While linebacker might be an area of need, signing Michael Johnson might lessen the burden in the front 7, and having Greenway, Barr, and Johnson at linebacker is a solid linebacking corps. However, if the Vikings want to add a linebacker to take over the reins for Greenway in a year or two, it would be smart to add one in a draft that is very deep in pass rushing. If the Vikings indeed can add some depth in rounds 4th through 7th, they could find some hidden gems.
All in all, this is a crucial offseason for the Vikings with the decision of Adrian Peterson lingering in the back of everyone’s mind, and with the needs at offensive line, defensive secondary, and wide receiver, it will be interesting to see what type of talent they can bring in. It will be an interesting offseason to say the least, but in the end it’s about having complete faith in our scouting to bring in supreme talent. If the last 3 years have taught us anything, it’s that they will be able to get the job done and continue to build on this young and talented team.