Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

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fiestavike
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Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

Post by fiestavike »

PURE CREATIVE SPECULATION DISCLAIMER

In looking at the Vikings defensive backfield, there are going to be some valuable pieces that aren't going to be on this team come week 1. At Cornerback, Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander, and Hughes are players who will not be cut. Marcus Sherels and Terrance Newman could be fighting for the last spot (depending on how many they keep), and Holton Hill has an outside chance to beat out one or both of them. They may keep them all and reduce the roster somewhere else, tab Sherels a specialist, cut Kearse and have Newman backup both S and CB, but that seems unlikely given that Kearse is also a core special teams player who still has a lot of upside. One solution might be to cut Terrance Newman given his future with the team is limited to this year, but he provides so much versatility and leadership that I can't see that happening. Trying to slip Hill onto the practice squard is a gamble the Vikings could (and likely will) take, but its possible his play in the preseason will make the success of that gamble unlikely.They may try to trade one of their bubble players for a 6th or 7th round pick to take away a bit of the sting of losing a good player, but thats often easier said than done. Or, they may do something drastic, and trade a potential starter (Waynes or Alexander perhaps) for a pick or position player leading into this season. Just for fun, lets assume that player in Trae Waynes because not only would you get the most for him, but he would also provide the most cap relief. Obviously, you wouldn't trade Waynes just so you could keep Sherels, but if you could keep Sherels, get a 1st round pick, plus have the cap room to retain Stefon Diggs or Danielle Hunter, well...now it might be interesting.

Spotrac has Anthony Barr's next contract at an estimated 5 years for 38.4 million which averages to about 7.6 million. That seems low to me, but even if its an accurate market value, It would be tough to sign him for that number when he's making 12 million in 2018, and the franchise mark is around 15 million. Without a large pile of guranteed money, it might be hard to reach a deal with the former #9 overall pick heading into this season. If the vikings had more quality depth at LB, one could entertain the same speculation about Barr as I am tossing out for consideration with regard to Waynes. Danielle Hunter and Stefon Diggs on the other hand, have planty or reason to sign extensions now. Both are in the last year of their repective deals, and both are being paid just under 2 million dollars. If they avoid injury, both can expect hefty increases in their salaries in 2019. Having the players currently rostered, the Vikings have the unique opportunity to advance that payday to 2018, but in order to sign both of them, they would need some additional cap room. The security of money in hand and guranteed money on a contract is a pretty big motivation for players who are only earning 1.9 this year and stand to see their earnings potential drop significantly on the back of a single play. They should be able to secure one of those players even under their current cap constraints, but being able to lock both those players in now, then addressing Barr and Richardson after this year, all while having two first round picks in your back pocket is something that would have to be seriously considered. Making a move like that might come down to how much trust the Vikings have in Hughes and Alexander, and how 40+ year old Newman looks in camp. Another silver lining is that it could lead the Vikings use another 1st round pick on a CB in next years draft, causing a near total meltdown among the Vikings faithful. :rofl:
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S197
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Re: Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

Post by S197 »

No secret Zim likes his corners and he keeps a lot of them on the roster. I think we keep 6 corners and 4 safeties. I agree with you that Kearse has done well in ST's and I think that earns him his spot. Harris looked okay in relief when Sendejo went down.

I could see Sherels spot in jeopardy given Hughes' ability to do returns but I think it's only likely if Hill plays really well. A 1st for Waynes seems really steep. He made some good strides last year but I still don't see another team wanting him that badly. I think the Vikings are better off seeing how well he does this year and also how quickly Hughes can get up to speed.

You're probably right in that Diggs or Hunter are the best shot at getting extended this year. They could give one of them a big signing bonus (which gets spread out across the contract for cap space purposes) and front load it a bit.
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Re: Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

Post by MikethePurple »

I'd agree that getting either Hunter and/or Diggs under contract this year is a move that hopefully will be made. I think those two are much more important than either Waynes or Barr. While Waynes has made strides, I still watch the plays he's covering and he doesn't seem to be able to track the ball well on a consistent basis. He gets his head around at the last second and is able to disrupt plays at the last second, but rarely do you seem him make plays on the ball. Barr has been inconsistent, and while he's a good player that I'd love to see continue with the Vikes for years, I think with the difficult decisions the Vikes are having to make due to salaries, he is more expendable than either Hunter or Diggs.

Hunter is very young and could be a core member of this defense for a long time to come - eventually taking over for Griffen on the right side. I think the only knock on Diggs is his ability to stay healthy and the fact that he has consistently missed games in his career. The team has been spending big money on the defensive side and keeping Diggs is pretty essential to make sure the team stays balanced and can compete from the offensive side. However, given the paydays that some lesser players IMO made this offseason at the receiver position, I'm hoping that the market doesn't make it impossible to keep him.
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Re: Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

Post by Pondering Her Percy »

MikethePurple wrote: Fri May 18, 2018 1:36 pm I'd agree that getting either Hunter and/or Diggs under contract this year is a move that hopefully will be made. I think those two are much more important than either Waynes or Barr. While Waynes has made strides, I still watch the plays he's covering and he doesn't seem to be able to track the ball well on a consistent basis. He gets his head around at the last second and is able to disrupt plays at the last second, but rarely do you seem him make plays on the ball. Barr has been inconsistent, and while he's a good player that I'd love to see continue with the Vikes for years, I think with the difficult decisions the Vikes are having to make due to salaries, he is more expendable than either Hunter or Diggs.

Hunter is very young and could be a core member of this defense for a long time to come - eventually taking over for Griffen on the right side. I think the only knock on Diggs is his ability to stay healthy and the fact that he has consistently missed games in his career. The team has been spending big money on the defensive side and keeping Diggs is pretty essential to make sure the team stays balanced and can compete from the offensive side. However, given the paydays that some lesser players IMO made this offseason at the receiver position, I'm hoping that the market doesn't make it impossible to keep him.
Diggs and Hunter are definitely my top two. Followed by Waynes then Barr. All I've heard is that "Barr is next". I'd rather it be Diggs or Hunter. Waynes becomes a little more expendable by adding Hughes. Barr is easily replaceable IMO. Diggs is a must. Hunter is up there and I've said from the day we signed him, dont be surprised if Richardson has a good year and we try to lock him up
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Re: Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

Post by S197 »

The other consideration is if we pay Diggs, Thielen is going to be vastly underpaid. I mean, he already is but it will be more magnified if Diggs gets a big paycheck. Thielen seems like a standup guy, lifelong Viking fan, but this is still his livelihood. I'm not saying he's going to make a fuss about it but it is an added wrinkle to an already complex situation.
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Re: Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

Post by MikethePurple »

S197 wrote: Fri May 18, 2018 2:44 pm The other consideration is if we pay Diggs, Thielen is going to be vastly underpaid. I mean, he already is but it will be more magnified if Diggs gets a big paycheck. Thielen seems like a standup guy, lifelong Viking fan, but this is still his livelihood. I'm not saying he's going to make a fuss about it but it is an added wrinkle to an already complex situation.
Agree 100% The Vikes got a steal with his contract and it's definitely going to have to be addressed if they pay Diggs. The question is, if you were going to pay one of the two, who would you pay? Honestly, I don't know that answer. If I was going by talent alone, I'd say Diggs, but Thielen has been more durable so far. Tough decisions coming up for the front office.
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Re: Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

Post by Maelstrom88 »

I'd lock up Hunter first. Good pass rushers are very hard to find and I expect him to have a double digit sacks year. I'd rather Thielen than Diggs but I do hope they can keep both.
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fiestavike
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Re: Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

Post by fiestavike »

A lot of noise about Diggs being the odd man out among Vikings fans. Its hard for me to see them letting him go. I would gladly sacrifice Waynes and Rudolph to get Diggs locked in.
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Re: Cornerbacks, Salary Cap, and more

Post by Pondering Her Percy »

fiestavike wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 7:57 am A lot of noise about Diggs being the odd man out among Vikings fans. Its hard for me to see them letting him go. I would gladly sacrifice Waynes and Rudolph to get Diggs locked in.
Same here but I havent heard that noise. I just got an update on my phone via rotoworld that the Vikings are looking into getting Diggs and Barr locked up
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