PFF Free Agency Tracker

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Dwayne Bowe - WR - Chiefs

ESPN's Adam Schefter "figures" that the Vikings would be interested if free agent Dwayne Bowe reached the open market.

Schefter does not expect Kansas City to let Bowe walk, but notes that the Vikings spent all last offseason trying to find a receiver and are arguably in even worse shape at the position now. Schefter also mentions the Dolphins as potential Bowe suitors, but they are expected to prioritize Mike Wallace.
Source: ESPN Insider

Can someone refresh my memory? Why did we choose to target Pierre Garcon instead of Vincent Jackson? I am not trying to be funny, I seriously don't remember.

[Crax]

Not sure, both signed 5 year deals and garcon ended up about 13 million cheaper. Maybe money.

[Mothman]

Can someone refresh my memory? Why did we choose to target Pierre Garcon instead of Vincent Jackson? I am not trying to be funny, I seriously don't remember.

My guess is the difference in age. Garcon is 4 years younger. Less mileage on the tires...

[mansquatch]

My guess is the difference in age. Garcon is 4 years younger. Less mileage on the tires...

That and cost. Jackson was the marquee FA WR last season. People need to also remember that going into 2012 FA we were in full rebuild mode. Signing an aging FA WR who is demanding top dollar probably wasn't considered the wisest move at that point. Even now, going into 2013 FA, such a signing would raise some eyebrows. Sure, we need a WR, but I would want a guy in his mid 20s, not early 30s.

This is just a guess, but my thought is that by next season our WR group will be far better in most fan's minds than it was this season or last.

IMO: There are 5 things for Spielman to accomplish this offseason:
1.) Turn WR into a strength
2.) Upgrade OLB (Henderson)
3.) Upgrade MLB (Brinkley)
4.) Add talent at CB
5.) Add talent at OG

IMO, it will be hard to solve all 5 of these issues for next season. I think 4 and 5 can be addressed via mid to late round picks who can be developed. Guard more than CB. WR is obviously a top priority, which IMO, means one of the 2 LB needs is probably going to get pushed unless we see significant FA signings. What I think folks also need to consider is that the "right fit" type of guy needs to be out there. I think this is less of an issue at WR, but could be a problem at LB.

[Mothman]

This is just a guess, but my thought is that by next season our WR group will be far better in most fan's minds than it was this season or last.

That would be nice!

IMO: There are 5 things for Spielman to accomplish this offseason:
1.) Turn WR into a strength
2.) Upgrade OLB (Henderson)
3.) Upgrade MLB (Brinkley)
4.) Add talent at CB
5.) Add talent at OG

IMO, it will be hard to solve all 5 of these issues for next season. I think 4 and 5 can be addressed via mid to late round picks who can be developed. Guard more than CB. WR is obviously a top priority, which IMO, means one of the 2 LB needs is probably going to get pushed unless we see significant FA signings. What I think folks also need to consider is that the "right fit" type of guy needs to be out there. I think this is less of an issue at WR, but could be a problem at LB.

Finding the right fit is always important.

Your list of things Spielman needs to accomplish this offseason is interesting. I agree that it would be great if he could make all of those things happen. As you said, WR is obviously a priority. I expect at least one of those LBs to be back. Honestly, I'd love it if they could re-sign both Brinkley and Henderson as backups. If they can just upgrade the starter at one of those two positions (preferably MLB) it would make a real difference. The other could wait until 2014 if necessary since both Brinkley and Henderson are serviceable LBs.

I'd change adding talent at CB to adding talent at DB, especially if they don't re-sign Sanford. They need to keep bringing in competition and trying to upgrade at CB and safety. Neither unit should be consider "set" yet. Ditto for OG. However, you left something off your list that I think is easily one of Spielman's top priorities this offseason: upgrading the talent at defensive tackle. I believe that needs to happen sooner rather than later and honestly, I consider it important enough that I put DT right up there with LB and WR as positions worthy of early round attention in the draft.

Another thing Spielman really needs to do this offseason is upgrade the depth at QB. The man should be very busy for the next 6 months!

[dead_poet]

Sean Smith - DB - Dolphins

GM Jeff Ireland said the Dolphins will likely use the franchise tag.

Furthermore, Ireland hinted that he already knows who he is going to tag, but declined to reveal a name. The two most logical candidates are CB Sean Smith and DT Randy Starks, although the Miami Herald has been reporting that Smith will not be tagged. Jake Long is also a free agent, but tagging him would cost $15.365 million.
Source: Miami Herald

[mansquatch]

My apologies on the DT, that was accidental omission on my part. I actually think there is an outside chance they draft DT in the first round given the depth of talent at that position in this draft. KWill needs his heir apparent, plus they haven't had a true NT since Big Pat left. Both are positions that will need attention sooner rather than later.

My guess is I omitted it since the mediocrity at LB is far more apparent.

You know somethign we leave out (and I admit to not having an answer to) is what is the strength of this draft vs. the strength of next year's draft? This year is very strong at DL, but rather weak at LB. Does a team's draft forecast (if they have one) cause them to postpone addressing needs depening on what might be coming down the pike? Just conjecture on my part, but I suspect this plays into the whole BPA thing.

[headless_norseman]

My apologies on the DT, that was accidental omission on my part. I actually think there is an outside chance they draft DT in the first round given the depth of talent at that position in this draft. KWill needs his heir apparent, plus they haven't had a true NT since Big Pat left. Both are positions that will need attention sooner rather than later.

My guess is I omitted it since the mediocrity at LB is far more apparent.

You know somethign we leave out (and I admit to not having an answer to) is what is the strength of this draft vs. the strength of next year's draft? This year is very strong at DL, but rather weak at LB. Does a team's draft forecast (if they have one) cause them to postpone addressing needs depening on what might be coming down the pike? Just conjecture on my part, but I suspect this plays into the whole BPA thing.

Drafting as late as we do in a deep DT field lets us draft a DT in the mid rounds, if not by day #2. There's only 2-3 difference makers at DT and they will be long gone by the time we get our first pick.

[headless_norseman]

Can someone refresh my memory? Why did we choose to target Pierre Garcon instead of Vincent Jackson? I am not trying to be funny, I seriously don't remember.

I'm sure QB and location played a part, even though Jackson was after the best money he could get.

[Mothman]

My apologies on the DT, that was accidental omission on my part. I actually think there is an outside chance they draft DT in the first round given the depth of talent at that position in this draft. KWill needs his heir apparent, plus they haven't had a true NT since Big Pat left. Both are positions that will need attention sooner rather than later.

Agreed!

You know somethign we leave out (and I admit to not having an answer to) is what is the strength of this draft vs. the strength of next year's draft? This year is very strong at DL, but rather weak at LB. Does a team's draft forecast (if they have one) cause them to postpone addressing needs depening on what might be coming down the pike? Just conjecture on my part, but I suspect this plays into the whole BPA thing.

I honestly don't know if that's a factor or not.

Jim

[Demi]

IMO: There are 5 things for Spielman to accomplish this offseason:
1.) Turn WR into a strength
2.) Upgrade OLB (Henderson)
3.) Upgrade MLB (Brinkley)
4.) Add talent at CB
5.) Add talent at OG

IMO, it will be hard to solve all 5 of these issues for next season.

I disagree. Well accept for #1 which is a crap shoot even if he tries to address the position. The lack of talent at the other four makes me believe it wouldn't take much to address them all. Maybe not find bona fide starters at every position of need. But definitely get some upgrades. At least now we have a much clearer picture of what this team needs then it feels like we've had in the previous number of years.

I'd love for them to sign Jennings for a few years while we work through what we're going to end up bringing in, in the mean time. Bowe has had issues mentally, questions about focus. Wallace's biggest weapon, his deep speed, would be wasted on this team. And while he's improved in other areas both he and Bowe are going to demand large contracts. Bring in Jennings! SKOL VIKINGS!

[Mothman]

It has to be a factor! A GM is going to have a forecast for the future and what the next group of draftees are going to look like.

Sure, in a scouting sense they need to have an idea of what's ahead but does that mean a GM can afford to put off addressing a need because of the perceived strengths of players that won't be available to draft for another year? My guess is there are too many variables for the 2014 draft class to have a significant impact on the choices a GM will make in 2013. There's no way to know which of the 2014 players will be healthy, how they will perform in 2013, which underclassmen will come out in 2014, where the Vikes will be drafting, who other teams will draft and so on. There are good players at every position in every draft so although a team needs to think ahead, I'm thinking they probably prioritize, do everything they can and then do the same the following year.

But hey, I could be completely wrong!

Spielman also said that this draft is not going to be the sexy draft that the fans want to see but there will be a lot of players that will make instant impact on teams... When he said that it got me thinking that he is really going to go BPA. At first I wanted to believe it but at the same time, part of me for sure thought WR or LB or DT. But it could be vaccaro at safety, some guard, rhodes at corner, etc.

It could be but I have absolutely no doubt the Vikings will address their WR position this offseason so if they don't do it in free agency prior to the draft, I think we can count on them drafting a WR in the first 2 rounds. I'll be pretty stunned if they don't draft a DT at some point too. However, this team is still firmly in rebuilding mode with enough needs to take a BPA approach simply because they still need upgrades of all over the field.

I don't know about you guys but I am freaking stoked for the future of this franchise. Spielman might have screwed up with Carlson, but this guy is going to make us a playoff contender for years to come.

I hope so.

[Mothman]

I disagree, I think that for example, if this draft class is stacked with DT and OL , then you address those positions, along with WR. But if there is a consensus that next years draft class is stacked with LB's, then you have to consider holding off from drafting a LB early even though it is a need. We have too many positions of need to reach.

I agree but I wasn't talking about reaching. Every draft has good players at every position, although I don't mean that every draft is the same. There are drafts where the options at particular positions are stronger or weaker than in other drafts. Anyway, my point is that a GM doesn't need to select players based on the strengths or weaknesses of the draft. In fact, I don't think he should. When drafting, a team has to dig deeper than that and their assessment of the particular individuals available should be their primary consideration, not the overall strength of the position. The latter is a consideration, of course, but to use the example you gave above, if the Vikes think one of the LBs in this draft is the best choice for them when one of their picks comes up, they shouldn't pass on him just because they think next year's draft will be strong at LB and this year's draft is stronger at other positions.

I dont know if you misunderstood me, but I feel like from previous conversations you would agree that reaching for someone in the 1st with how much potential there is at some other positions, is a horrible idea.

It is but again, I wasn't talking about reaching.

I have no doubt wither. In no way in my previous comments did I meant to make you think that we will not address the WR position, I consider that the most important position of need on our team.

I'm betting Christian Ponder does too!

[dead_poet]

Pass for that.

Greg Jennings - WR - Packers

Tom Pelissero of ESPN Twin Cities "heard" at the Combine that free agent Greg Jennings is seeking $14 million a year.

$14 million annually would make Jennings the NFL's third highest paid wide receiver behind Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. No one is going to pay that much for an injury-prone wideout entering his age-30 season. Per Pelissero, there is a "popular theory" among NFL front offices that wide receivers will "sit on the market" like inside linebackers did last year. In other words, they may price themselves out of the initial wave of free agency.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter

[Dark]

Well it looks like jennings is off of our list... oh well