Teams Minnesota Vikings - Skol Vikings

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JDavey said:
For mine in FA:
1. QB Cassell
2. DE Griffen
3. CB (Please Verner, Please)
4. DT (NT) Joseph
5. G (I think we address this in the draft)

Looks like draft needs will sit as:

1. QB
2. CB
3. MLB
4. OG
5. RB


I think we've done a good job at spreading the cash we had to cover a few holes and take care of depth rather then splurging on a big star. FA today was interesting, some real bargains going to contending teams, and then other teams just making some super questionable moves.
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I'd be thinking OLB rather than a middle and there'S currently a need for a WR, but otherwise you're on the mark. Let's see what day 2 of FA brings. Time to find the gems in the rough.
 
JDavey said:
Hopefully one of Teddy/Watkins/Mack falls to us ;)
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The Vikings will definitely take best player available at pick 8, or trade down. Free agency is all about creating flexibility in the draft
 

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Contract details for the Vikings free agnets are starting to be released.

Everson Griffen

Contract: 5 yr(s)/$42,500,000, Signing Bonus $6,000,000, Guaranteed: $19,800,000

Base Salaries of $6.9million for the first 4 years and then $8.4million in the final year. A $100,00 worout bonus applies each year. The contract is guaranteed for the first two years.

Matt Cassell

Contract: 2 yr(s)/$10,500,000, No Signing Bonus, Guaranteed: $5,650,000

Cassell has a $2.65 million base salary in 2014, a roster bonus of $3million and a workout bonus of $100,000 (total 2014 5.75million). In 2015 his base is $4.15million with $600,000 of bonuses.

Cassell is effectively on another one year deal with the Vikings that is automatically extended if the Vikings want to keep him. There is no dead money if he's cut in 2015.


With Linval Joseph, Jasper Brinkley, Joe Berger, and Larry Dean contracts yet to be cornfirmed the Vikkings are just over $26 million under the cap.
 
The Vikings have signed ex Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn to a three-year deal worth $14.25 million with $7 million guaranteed.

Munnerlyn played the slot (#3 CB) position for the Panthers but could be asked to play the #2 position. We'll see if that comes to fruition after the pecking order is solidified after the draft, OTAs and pre-season.

The Vikings also re-signed DT Fred Evans today. Evans will be the backup to Linvel Joseph.
 
In other news defensive tackle Henry Melton (Bears) and guard Vladimir Ducasse (Jets) are visiting the Vikings.

Ducasse is an interesting one. He was selected in the 2nd round and was considered a bust, but has bloomed in the last season or so - could be worth a flyer IMO
 
It's a one year deal for Fred Evans

The Vikings have also signed CB Derek Cox (ex Chargers) - a quick read on Cox (coutesy 100espn) had him rated as the seventh-worst rated cornerback according to ProFootballFocus.com out of 110 rated corners last season. Maybe the Vikings think they can turn him around....
 
Weekend moves by the vikings:

Jamarca Sanford, Chad Greenway, and Jerome Felton all had their contracts restructured.

WR Jerome Felton and OG Charlie Johnson re-signed. Looks like the Vikings felt more comfortable going with players they had experience with rather than from other teams.

OLB and SS still need an upgrade, but otherwise most immediate needs have been addressed so far.

IMO the priorities in the draft would still be QB, OLB, CB, OG, and SS. Later priorities include DE, WR, DT
 
Vikings free agency to date: (courtesy PFT)

Signed: DT Linval Joseph (Giants); CB Captain Munnerlyn (Panthers); CB Derek Cox (Chargers); LB Jasper Brinkley (Cardinals).

Lost: CB Chris Cook (49ers); RB Toby Gerhart (Jaguars).

Re-signed: RB Matt Asiata; C Joe Berger; QB Matt Cassel; DT Fred Evans; DE Everson Griffen; CB Marcus Sherels; WR Jerome Simpson; G Charlie Johnson; LB Larry Dean.

Cut: TE John Carlson (Cardinals); LB Erin Henderson, DT Letroy Guion (Packers).

Unsigned: DE Jared Allen; LB Desmond Bishop; QB Josh Freeman; LB Marvin Mitchell; OL J’Marcus Webb; WR Joe Webb; DT Kevin Williams.
 
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Free agency update:

Players Re-signed/tendered

DE Everson Griffen: UFA; $42.5M/5 yrs, $6M SB/$19.8M guaranteed
QB Matt Cassel: Potential UFA; $10.5M/2 yrs $5.65M guaranteed
LG Charlie Johnson: UFA; $5M/2 yrs
C/G Joe Berger: UFA; $920k/1 yr
LB Larry Dean: Potential RFA; $2M/2 yrs
NT Fred Evans: UFA; $1M/1 yr
CB/PR Marcus Sherels: Potential RFA; $2.2M/2 yrs
WR Jerome Simpson: UFA; $1M/1 yr
RB Matt Asiata: (ERFA) tendered at $570,000

Players Added

DT Linval Joseph: UFA Giants; $31.5M/5 yrs. $3M SB/$12.5M guaranteed
CB Captain Munnerlyn: UFA Panthers; $11/5M/3 yrs, $1M SB/$4.45 guaranteed
DE Corey Wootton: UFA Bears; $1.5M/1 yr
DT Tom Johnson: Not tendered as RFA by Saints; $845,000/1 yr
LB Jasper Brinkley: FA Cardinals; $830,000/1 yr
CB Derek Cox: FA Chargers; $780,000/1 yr
G Vladimir Ducasse: UFA Jets; 1 yr, terms unknown.

Players Lost

TE John Carlson (released - signed by Cardinals).
CB Chris Cook: UFA 49ers; 1 yr, terms unknown.
RB Toby Gerhart: UFA signed by Jaguars
WR Joe Webb: UFA Panthers; terms unknown.
DE Jared Allen (UFA - signed by the Bears)
DT Letroy Guion (released).
LB Erin Henderson (released).
WR Greg Childs (released).

Unsigned Free Agents

LB Desmond Bishop
QB Josh Freeman
LB Marvin Mitchell
OT J'Marcus Webb
DT Kevin Williams

According to the NFLPA the Vikings are $11.4million under the cap which ranks them 13th as far as cap space is concerned. The Browns ($31.8M), Jets ($28.7M, Bengals ($26.3M), and Jaguars ($25.1M) lead the pack and are the only teams with over $20M of cap space remaining.

The Vikings are going to need about $7 million to sign their rookies, which leaves them with about $4.5M for signings/extensions.
 
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The Vikings pre-training camp schedule has been announced:

Since the Vikings have hired a new coaching staff, they get a two week head start over other NFL teams. Players can report on Monday, April 7, but per the CBA activities will be limited to “strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation,” according to NFL.com.

After two weeks of “Phase One,” as the CBA calls it, the Vikings will hold a voluntary minicamp for players before the draft April 29-May 1.

These minicamps are for individual player drills and instruction, as well as team practice where offensive and defensive players are separated. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense is allowed.
After that, OTA’s will take place after the draft from May 28-30, June 3-5 and June 9-12. No live contact can take place at OTA’s, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-11 drills are allowed.

There will then be a voluntary minicamp for players June 17-19, before the team takes a break before training camp.
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As it stands more and more people are having Bridgewater slide down the board to us, some even have him going past us.
Also seen rumors that we have Bortles and Carr as 1 and 2 on our QB list.

My preference is Bridgewater at #8 if hes there, otherwise trade down and draft D if Mack isn't available (doubt he will be).

Out of the second tier of QB's I like Mettenberger still.
 
The more I look at it, the more I am convinced that the Vikings should take OLB Anthony Barr if they can't trade down. There's only two elite OLBs in the draft, and the Vikings have done nothing to address the position during free agency. At the moment Hodges is the starter and he has no starting experience and underwhelmed last season.
 
Sven said:
The more I look at it, the more I am convinced that the Vikings should take OLB Anthony Barr if they can't trade down. There's only two elite OLBs in the draft, and the Vikings have done nothing to address the position during free agency. At the moment Hodges is the starter and he has no starting experience and underwhelmed last season.
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There are so many holes I think they go BPA for ILB/OLB/CB at #8 if they cant trade down. Outside chance at a DT as Zimmer likes deep rotations through the position.
 
2014 NFL Draft Primer - Vikings Team Needs

1500espn has run a couple of articles that look at the current Vikings depth chart on offence and defence following free agency and look at where the team might go in the draft.

In summary the Vikings draft priorities are projected to be as follows:

Quarterbacks - Level of need: HIGH (Rounds 1-2)
Linebackers - Level of need: HIGH (rounds 1-3)
Offensive line - Level of need: MODERATE (Rounds 3-7)
Running backs - Level of need: MODERATE (Rounds 3-7)
Defensive line - Level of need: MODERATE (rounds 3-7)
Cornerbacks - Level of need: MODERATE (rounds 3-7)
Safeties - Level of need: MODERATE (rounds 3-7)
Receivers - Level of need: LOW (Rounds 5-7)
Fullbacks - Level of need: VERY LOW (---)
Tight ends - Level of need: VERY LOW (---)

The list above is only a guide, and I can assure you that Rick Spielman definitely comes from the best player available school which means that any player that upgrades the squad that is the best player available at the time will be taken.

Quarterbacks
Projected starter: Matt Cassel
On the team: Christian Ponder
Near the cut: ----------
Level of need: HIGH (Rounds 1-2)
Breakdown: Pending a breakout star in training camp, Matt Cassel is likely the Week 1 starter under center for the Minnesota Vikings after signing a two-year, $10 million deal in March. Cassel went 3-3 in six starts for the Vikings last season, not counting a comeback win on Dec. 1 against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings are one of a handful of teams pegged to draft a quarterback next week, but it's unclear if they'll spend the No. 8 overall pick, trade back or wait until Day 2 to take one in the second or third round. Former 12th-overall pick Christian Ponder did not have his fifth-year option picked up by the Vikings and considering the low risk for a team to do so, it's safely assumed Ponder should serve as a third-string emergency backup all season. We'll provide a detailed draft list of quarterback prospects on Monday.
Offensive line
Projected starters: T Matt Kalil, G Charlie Johnson, C John Sullivan, G Brandon Fusco, T Phil Loadholt
On the team: G/C Joe Berger, G/C Jeff Baca
Near the cut: T/G Vlad Ducasse, T Kevin Murphy, T Mike Remmers, G Josh Samuda
Level of need: MODERATE (Rounds 3-7)
Breakdown: The Vikings return their entire starting offensive line for the third consecutive season in 2014. Guard Charlie Johnson re-signed with a two-year, $5 million deal and should command the starting spot at left guard again unless second-year guard Jeff Baca makes a push this summer. Guard Brandon Fusco enters the final year of his rookie deal after a breakout season along the right side in 2013. He'll look to keep that trajectory upward before offseason contract negotiations.
General Manager Rick Spielman said in March the Vikings would look to the draft for depth at guard, but their swing tackle situation is also a need. The Vikings tried to add depth with the signings of Vlad Ducasse and Josh Samuda, but unless Ducasse can try his hand at tackle (like he did at UMass), the Vikings are stuck with Kevin Murphy as the third tackle after last year's failed experiment with J'Marcus Webb.
Running backs
Projected starter: Adrian Peterson
On the team: Matt Asiata
Near the cut: Joe Banyard, Bradley Randle
Level of need: MODERATE (Rounds 3-7)
Breakdown: Toby Gerhart moved on and the Minnesota Vikings are now in the market for a backup to Adrian Peterson. There are too many other areas of need for the Vikings to spend a second round draft pick like they did with Gerhart in 2010. Look for a Day 3 pick somewhere in rounds four through seven for the Vikings to supplement Peterson and jockey with Matt Asiata for the No. 2 role. Keep an eye on guys like Wisconsin's James White or Stanford's Tyler Gaffney, who are both projected as late-round picks.
Fullbacks
Projected starter: Jerome Felton
On the team: Zach Line
Near the cut: ------------
Level of need: VERY LOW (---)
Breakdown: "I think a lot of what's happening in football now is the field is being spread a lot more. The fullback still has got a role, but it's not as big a role in this league. You like to have that physical presence. Sometimes you get that out of a tight end, sometimes you get that out of a pure fullback," -- Norv Turner in his introductory press conference with the Cleveland Browns in January 2013. That all still rings true for fullbacks as NFL teams adopt a no-huddle, vertical-passing approach that is more conducive to stretching the field than lining up 10 in the box. Even after Jerome Felton returned from his three-game suspension last season, the Vikings only used him 35.7 percent of snaps (per ProFootballFocus.com). Turner's variations of the "Air Coryell" offense he runs still uses bruisers, but that can come in the form of a Rhett Ellison-type H-back, which provides a fullback-sized player that can play receiver, tight end, fullback and running back. I believe Zach Line eventually makes the cut in his second year because of his catch-and-run ability, possibly molding him into another H-back.
Receivers
Projected starters: Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings
On the team: Jarius Wright, Jerome Simpson
Near the cut: Lestar Jean, Kamar Jorden, Rodney Smith, Adam Thielen
Level of need: LOW (Rounds 5-7)
Breakdown: Jerome Simpson could face a possible suspension to open the season, like Felton did last year, due to his arrest last November. In his second year, Cordarrelle Patterson should leap into the starting split end spot ahead of Simpson to go along with Greg Jennings at the "Z" or flanker position. Jarius Wright is one of the better deals in the league as a solid slot receiver the Vikings picked up in the fourth round in 2012. Rodney Smith showed flashes in last year's preseason and could be a possible fifth option on the gameday roster after spending last year on both the active roster and practice squad. There's very little need in the draft outside of a late Day 3 pickup in the fourth through seventh round.
Tight ends
Projected starter: Kyle Rudolph
On the team: Rhett Ellison
Near the cut: Chase Ford, Allen Reisner
Level of need: VERY LOW (---)
Breakdown: Entering the final year of his rookie deal, tight end Kyle Rudolph is one candidate for a breakout season with tight-end friendly Norv Turner on the offensive controls. Rudolph has yet to top 500 receiving yards in a season or catch for more than 100 yards in a single game. Turner, with a dose of reliability from Cassel, should help turn around Rudolph's fortunes if he can stay healthy after breaking two bones in his foot last November. Rhett Ellison, who changed his number from 40 to 85 this offseason, should stick with his utility at the H-back position while Chase Ford and Allen Reisner compete for the third spot above the cut.
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Defensive line
Projected starters: DE Brian Robison, NT Linval Joseph, DT Sharrif Floyd, DE Everson Griffen
On the team: DE Corey Wootton, DT Fred Evans, DT Tom Johnson
Near the cut: DE Justin Trattou, DT Chase Baker, DE Spencer Nealy, DT Kheeston Randall
Level of need: MODERATE (rounds 3-7)
Breakdown: As Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen are set to make $6.6 and $8.2 million this season, respectively, both should be key starters along the Vikings defensive line that returns one starter in Brian Robison. Sharrif Floyd's development will be crucial at the three technique spot that Kevin Williams occupied for more than a decade. First-year head coach Mike Zimmer and several players have already vowed that run defense will be a key focus for the Vikings this season. Rightfully so, as Minnesota has not had a top-10 rushing defense since Pat Williams retired in 2010.
The Vikings signed former Chicago Bears defensive end Corey Wootton to a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Wootton started 15 games for the Bears last season and had hip surgery in January. The Vikings also added journeyman Tom Johnson, who should compete with Chase Baker for a final spot in the defensive line rotation. Minnesota could also elect to draft another three-technique in Day 3 of the draft for extra competition.
Linebackers
Projected starters: Audie Cole, Jasper Brinkley, Chad Greenway
On the team: Michael Mauti, Larry Dean, Gerald Hodges
Near the cut: Terrell Manning, Simoni Lawrence
Level of need: HIGH (rounds 1-3)
Breakdown: The Vikings have 20 years of experience for the seven linebackers not named Chad Greenway in this list. It's a very untested and green group that could use a high draft pick to bolster the competition. At the team's pre-draft minicamp, Cole (S), Brinkley (M) and Greenway (W) started with the first-team defense, but that's generally arbitrary as teams install schemes this early in the offseason. Second-year linebacker Michael Mauti impressed on special teams last season and could make a push for a starting role if he can stay healthy, while last year's fourth-round pick in Hodges tries to turn some heads after a quiet rookie season. If Minnesota can't trade No. 8 on Thursday, the obvious decision is to pick up an immediate impact player on defense. Linebackers like Khalil Mack and C.J. Mosley fit the mold.
Cornerbacks
Projected starters: Xavier Rhodes, Captain Munnerlyn
On the team: Marcus Sherels, Derek Cox, Josh Robinson
Near the cut: Shaun Prater, Robert Steeples, Kip Edwards
Level of need: MODERATE (rounds 3-7)
Breakdown: Another extremely young position group for the Vikings, cornerback is top-heavy on this squad. Outside of Rhodes and Munnerlyn, the talent level drops off as Derek Cox and Josh Robinson battle for the No. 3 spot along with any rookies. Munnerlyn should solve the team's need in the slot, but the Vikings are likely looking to draft another body somewhere in Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft. Robinson is still young enough to develop, but he seemed to struggle most last year in press coverage, which is one of the staple concepts in Zimmer's coverages. Cornerback Shaun Prater came on strong when he was needed last season, even grabbing an interception against his former team in Philadelphia, but pending a breakout training camp, Zimmer will need more to fix one of the NFL's worst secondaries from last season.
Safeties
Projected starters: Harrison Smith, Jamarca Sanford
On the team: Andrew Sendejo, Robert Blanton, Kurt Coleman
Near the cut: Mistral Raymond, Brandan Bishop
Level of need: MODERATE (rounds 3-7)
Breakdown: Harrison Smith enters his third year as the only definite starter for the Vikings at safety. Jamarca Sanford already took a paycut this offseason after he split time starting with Andrew Sendejo in Smith's absence last season. Sendejo, a main special teams contributor, could contend for a starting spot, but the Vikings should also be in the market for another safety on draft day, probably Day 3. Robert Blanton had a mixed bag of results for the Vikings at both safety and cornerback last season, while Mistral Raymond is likely on his last training camp to prove himself as he's a free agent in 2015. The Vikings added Coleman this offseason for much-needed depth after Minnesota started four safeties last season.
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Happy with Barr too.

Liked the emphasis on defence.

Let's hope we got a few gems
 
2014 Vikings Draft Class

(1) No. 9 LB Anthony Barr
(1) No. 32 QB Teddy Bridgewater
(3) No. 72 DE Scott Crichton
(3) No. 96 RB Jerick McKinnon
(5) No. 145 G David Yankey
(6) No. 182 S Antone Exum
(6) No. 184 CB Kendall James
(7) No. 220 DT Shamar Stephen
(7) No. 223 LB Brandon Watts
(7) No. 225 CB Jabari Price

I love the Anthony Barr pick, and the trade up for Bridgewater was pure Spielman genius. With the Vikings going into the draft with Gerald Hodges #1 on the depth chart at WLB and a big fall off in talent at OLB I was hoping the Vikings would take either Mack or Barr and that's exactly how it panned ut.

I hear that McKinnon will take over kick returns (from Patterson) and Yankey in the 5th and Exum in the 6th were great picks.

Any 2014 draft that included 4 DL (2 LBs, a DE,and a DT) and 3 DBs (2 CBs and a Safety) for the Vikings is spot on in my mind.

UDFAs
AC Leonard, TE Tennessee State
Kain Coulter, WR Northwestern
Antonio Richardson, OT Tennessee
Zac Kerin, OC Toledo
Pierce Burton, OT Mississippi
Matt Hall, OT Belhaven
Austin Wentworth, OG Fresno State
Isame Faciane, NT Florida International
Dominique Williams, HB Wagner
Jake Snyder, DE Virginia
Erik Lora, WR Eastern Illinois
Tyler Scott, DE Northwestern
Donte Foster, WR Ohio
Rakim Cox, DE Villanova
Conor Boffeli, OG Iowa

The UDFAs that jump out at you are TE AC Leonard and OT Antonio Richardson. I'll post more info on the UDFAs wen I get some time.
 
Tiny Richardson in particular jumps out at me. Bit confused that we didn't draft ILB AGAIN but I guess there was no one that they really liked at the positions available.

One thing that screams out at me in this draft is we've got a lot of athletically gifted individuals who have raw technique - will be interesting to see if Zimmer can work some magic.
 
Minnesota has been awarded the 2018 Super Bowl!

A sure sign that the NFL rewards teams that can negotiate new stadium deals. With the new stadium opening in 2016 the facility will be nice and shiny for the event...
 
The biggest news about the first of the Vikings OTAs was all about who wasn't there: Bridgewater (rookie symposium), and Anthony Barr, Scott Crichton and David Yankey (still at school) were all missing.

I'm sure the 2nd OTA, which has just kicked off, will be far more interesting.
 
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