2015 Offseason - Free Agent/Draft Tracker

[S197]

How did you guys think of the DLine depth? I liked the guys that went out there, it seems like they all contributed. They seemed to slow down a little, but hopefully next year they can be as dominant as they were at the beginning of the year.

Stephen and Johnson (assuming they can resign him) were good depth. DE was a bit thin, Wooton was alright, Crichton never really got much playing time.

[frosted]

How did you guys think of the DLine depth? I liked the guys that went out there, it seems like they all contributed. They seemed to slow down a little, but hopefully next year they can be as dominant as they were at the beginning of the year.

I think any team can always use more talented defensive lineman. Defense is won and lost in the trenches IMO, and I'm probably in the minority, but if they could get a big and well rounded (adept at pass rushing and stopping the run) defensive end at #11, I'd be all for it. I like B-Rob, but I think he'd be more effective with fewer reps.

[Purple bruise]

I think any team can always use more talented defensive lineman. Defense is won and lost in the trenches IMO, and I'm probably in the minority, but if they could get a big and well rounded (adept at pass rushing and stopping the run) defensive end at #11, I'd be all for it. I like B-Rob, but I think he'd be more effective with fewer reps.

Wow, if they "wasted" the 11th pick on a DE I would burn my jerseys. This team, on it's list of needs, has very good/capable DE's and lots of bigger needs at OL and receivers. IMO.

[Demi]

I think any team can always use more talented defensive lineman. Defense is won and lost in the trenches IMO, and I'm probably in the minority, but if they could get a big and well rounded (adept at pass rushing and stopping the run) defensive end at #11, I'd be all for it. I like B-Rob, but I think he'd be more effective with fewer reps.

He's also on the wrong side of 30. We saw little downgrade when his backups came in. They also moved our ends inside on occasion.

[VikingPaul73]

He's also on the wrong side of 30. We saw little downgrade when his backups came in. They also moved our ends inside on occasion.

Agreed but what about Chrichton? I was hoping to see something from him this year, was disappointed that he never played.

[JD_Fiction]

I don't know about you guys but i am sick of watching Jeff Locke SHANK punt after punt, i hope we find another punter this year.

[Demi]

I don't know about you guys but i am sick of watching Jeff Locke SHANK punt after punt, i hope we find another punter this year.

Did you see a couple of these punters in the playoffs? ugh! Bet they wish they had Kluwe!

[Damian Necronamous]

Longtime lurker, first time poster here...

In my opinion, the two areas we need the most improvement are our offensive line and our LB corp. I think that in all likelihood, we'll release Peterson and Felton, and will restructure Greenway's contract. That being said, G Mike Iupati is the guy I'd like to see us go after in free agency. I'd also like to see us replace Brian Robison at the other DE position. Greg Hardy is obviously the best player available there, but we certainly won't be jumping out of one media circus and into another. We seem to have had some success plucking players out of Buffalo recently, and Jerry Hughes would be a big upgrade. As for the draft, I'd like to see us snag another LB, so Shaq Thompson would be a great addition. In the second round, I'd love a WR like Jaelen Strong or Ty Montgomery.

QB: Teddy Bridgewater
RB: Jerick McKinnon / Matt Asiata / Joe Banyard
FB: Zach Line
LT: Matt Kalil
LG: Mike Iupati
C: John Sullivan
RG: Brandon Fusco
RT: Phil Loadholt
TE: Kyle Rudolph / Rhett Ellison
WR1: Greg Jennings / Cordarrelle Patterson
WR2: Charles Johnson / Jarius Wright / (2nd Rd Pick)

LDE: Jerry Hughes / Brian Robison
DT: Linval Joseph / Shamar Stephen
DT: Sharrif Floyd
RDE: Everson Griffen / Scott Crichton
WLB: Shaq Thompson / Gerald Hodges
MLB: Chad Greenway / Audie Cole
SLB: Anthony Barr
CB: Xavier Rhodes / Captain Munnerlyn / Josh Robinson / Jabari Price
SS: Robert Blanton / Antone Exum
FS: Harrison Smith / Andre Sendejo

I think that defense would rank as one of the best in the league, with another year of growth from Barr, Griffen, Floyd, Rhodes and Smith. Throw in the additions of Thompson and Hughes, and there is a whole lot of speed. The offense, of course, would rest entirely on Teddy's shoulders. Iupati would be a major upgrade over Charlie Johnson, and you hope that a healthier unit is a stronger one.

[maembe]

Did you see a couple of these punters in the playoffs? ugh! Bet they wish they had Kluwe!

It is kind of unbelievable how terrible the Cardinals punter was. I mean, you could almost certainly pick up an FA punter off the street that could do a better job. Then again, you could say the same thing about their QB...

[Purple bruise]

It is kind of unbelievable how terrible the Cardinals punter was. I mean, you could almost certainly pick up an FA punter off the street that could do a better job. Then again, you could say the same thing about their QB...

Actually, Locke is not that bad of a punter. Statisically he is right about average or better. He is one of the last problems that the Vikes should be worrying about IMO

[Pondering Her Percy]

Actually, Locke is not that bad of a punter. Statisically he is right about average or better. He is one of the last problems that the Vikes should be worrying about IMO

Agreed. I mean he does drive me crazy sometimes but we have way bigger needs. Bring in some cheap competition and roll with it

[frosted]

Wow, if they "wasted" the 11th pick on a DE I would burn my jerseys. This team, on it's list of needs, has very good/capable DE's and lots of bigger needs at OL and receivers. IMO.

Harsh. I would have to wholeheartedly disagree with you regarding it being a waste to take a potential stud defensive end at #11, but I would agree we have bigger needs. That said, if there's a blue chip defensive end prospect available, I'd rather they take that player than reach for a lesser talent, just because it feels a need.

Pass rushers are like money - you can never have enough.

But, if it suits you...

[IIsweet]

Longtime lurker, first time poster here...

In my opinion, the two areas we need the most improvement are our offensive line and our LB corp. I think that in all likelihood, we'll release Peterson and Felton, and will restructure Greenway's contract. That being said, G Mike Iupati is the guy I'd like to see us go after in free agency. I'd also like to see us replace Brian Robison at the other DE position. Greg Hardy is obviously the best player available there, but we certainly won't be jumping out of one media circus and into another. We seem to have had some success plucking players out of Buffalo recently, and Jerry Hughes would be a big upgrade. As for the draft, I'd like to see us snag another LB, so Shaq Thompson would be a great addition. In the second round, I'd love a WR like Jaelen Strong or Ty Montgomery.

QB: Teddy Bridgewater
RB: Jerick McKinnon / Matt Asiata / Joe Banyard
FB: Zach Line
LT: Matt Kalil
LG: Mike Iupati
C: John Sullivan
RG: Brandon Fusco
RT: Phil Loadholt
TE: Kyle Rudolph / Rhett Ellison
WR1: Greg Jennings / Cordarrelle Patterson
WR2: Charles Johnson / Jarius Wright / (2nd Rd Pick)

LDE: Jerry Hughes / Brian Robison
DT: Linval Joseph / Shamar Stephen
DT: Sharrif Floyd
RDE: Everson Griffen / Scott Crichton
WLB: Shaq Thompson / Gerald Hodges
MLB: Chad Greenway / Audie Cole
SLB: Anthony Barr
CB: Xavier Rhodes / Captain Munnerlyn / Josh Robinson / Jabari Price
SS: Robert Blanton / Antone Exum
FS: Harrison Smith / Andre Sendejo

I think that defense would rank as one of the best in the league, with another year of growth from Barr, Griffen, Floyd, Rhodes and Smith. Throw in the additions of Thompson and Hughes, and there is a whole lot of speed. The offense, of course, would rest entirely on Teddy's shoulders. Iupati would be a major upgrade over Charlie Johnson, and you hope that a healthier unit is a stronger one.

I really like your thought process but must add some thought....
I like the Iupati addition, but have to restructure Greenway to free up $.
AD will not be released !!! He may be traded, but not released. I think a team like Indy or Dallas view themselves as that 1 guy from multiple Super Bowls, and even though AD is near 30, they cannot afford to give a 2nd because someone else will. So I think he's a legit late 1st rder. Shaq Thompson is available there. At 11, I add CB Trae Waynes or WR Parker. Add Thompson with late 1st rd pick.
Also, I release Robison. We have Crichton, add Hughes, which I LOVE this idea and here we go on D.
We lose AD, but this defense is younger, faster, and exciting.
On offense, we are counting on TB and are more pass oriented with 3wr sets more often. Parker, Johnson, and Jennngs.
Love this !

[cromulus]

https://twitter.com/VikingsPR/status/552220298854932480

The #Vikings announce DT Chigbo Anunoby (chi-BOO an-uh-NO-bee), DE Leon Mackey and CB DeMarcus Van Dyke sign as reserve/future free agents.

http://thevikingage.com/2015/01/05/repo ... -van-dyke/

Van Dyke has blazing speed as you would expect from someone who was drafted by the Raiders. He ran a 4.25 40 at the combine in 2011. He also has decent size at 6-1.

Seems like an interesting prospect to push our current CBs but never has been a good NFL player (cut from Raiders). Hopefully Zimmer can work some magic. He has the height and speed but needs a lot of work (and some muscle/weight).

[Mothman]

Brinkley wants to stay, but can Vikings do better?

Jasper Brinkley did everything the Vikings asked him to do this past season, though it wasn’t a ton.

Brinkley was the starting middle linebacker in the team’s base defense, but while he played in all 16 games, he only played 42.5 percent of the defensive snaps. Third cornerback Josh Robinson and reserve linebacker Gerald Hodges, who ended up starting seven games due to injury, played more.

“I was happy with the opportunities I was given,” Brinkley said last week. “It’s all I could ask for.”

While Brinkley said as he cleaned out his locker that “everybody wants to be an every-down guy,” he is also a team player who is aware of his limitations (and will continue to work hard to try to keep them from being limitations in the future). And even if the Vikings decide to replace Brinkley as a starter, there may still be a role for him as a reserve here, where he started his career in 2009.

“[We’ll] just see where it goes, man,” Brinkley, who turns 30 this summer, said when asked about his future. “See where the wind blows. Hopefully it’s back here again, because I have a lot of ties to this place. It’s where I was drafted as a rookie. I’ve played a fair amount of football here.”