2014 Impending and Potential Free Agent Targets

[Pondering Her Percy]

This thread is to discuss 2014 free agents and who the Vikings could possibly target. The purpose of this thread is to keep all 2014 impending and potential free agent targets within and not having to create multiple threads regarding the subject. I came from another forum and they had a similar thread that generated a lot of good discussion.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I would say one of my biggest targets is Jarius Byrd. I feel that having him back there with Harrison Smith would improve our defensive backfield tremendously. I like Alterraun Verner and Walter Thurmond III for CB's as well. I really think we need to sign a veteran starter within our defensive backfield. Losing Winfield definitely hurt us.

I am also intrigued by Linval Joseph and Terrence Cody as a potential NT for us.

[dead_poet]

I would say one of my biggest targets is Jarius Byrd. I feel that having him back there with Harrison Smith would improve our defensive backfield tremendously. I like Alterraun Verner and Walter Thurmond III for CB's as well. I really think we need to sign a veteran starter within our defensive backfield. Losing Winfield definitely hurt us.

I am also intrigued by Linval Joseph and Terrence Cody as a potential NT for us.

Byrd wants to be the highest paid safety in the league. The Vikings will have to pony up for Harrison Smith in a few years and I highly doubt they tie that much money into the safety position. I'd love it, but I don't think it's realistic.

Verner is an interesting prospect. He's shorter (5'10), but has played his best year as a pro this season. He's taken to the Titan's new press-man scheme very well. If the Vikings want to continue to up the press, he'd be well worth a look (he's also solid in run support). Thurmond III would be a bit of a gamble as he's already been suspended for weed and has had trouble staying healthy. But those two things might help keep his price reasonable (especially after this past free agent signing period how surprisingly affordable the majority of corners ended up being). I think either would be a solid signing and be immediate upgrades to the secondary and are on the top of my free agent list.

Another name to consider: Chris Harris.

I'd be absolutely thrilled with Joseph, though I imagine the Giants will work hard to get him extended. He'd be an immediate upgrade and help shore up the middle. I'd pass on Cody.

A guard to consider to replace Charlie Johnson would be Jon Asamoah.

LBs I'd take a long look at: Brandon Spikes, Wesley Woodyard and, heck, why not at least look into Orakpo if he somehow makes it to FA?

[Pondering Her Percy]

Byrd wants to be the highest paid safety in the league. The Vikings will have to pony up for Harrison Smith in a few years and I highly doubt they tie that much money into the safety position. I'd love it, but I don't think it's realistic.

Verner is an interesting prospect. He's shorter (5'10), but has played his best year as a pro this season. He's taken to the Titan's new press-man scheme very well. If the Vikings want to continue to up the press, he'd be well worth a look (he's also solid in run support). Thurmond III would be a bit of a gamble as he's already been suspended for weed and has had trouble staying healthy. But those two things might help keep his price reasonable (especially after this past free agent signing period how surprisingly affordable the majority of corners ended up being). I think either would be a solid signing and be immediate upgrades to the secondary and are on the top of my free agent list.

Another name to consider: Chris Harris.

I'd be absolutely thrilled with Joseph, though I imagine the Giants will work hard to get him extended. He'd be an immediate upgrade and help shore up the middle. I'd pass on Cody.

A guard to consider to replace Charlie Johnson would be Jon Asamoah.

LBs I'd take a long look at: Brandon Spikes, Wesley Woodyard and, heck, why not at least look into Orakpo if he somehow makes it to FA?

I like Asamoah as well but he's the best FA guard out there and will likely command Andy Levitre type money. I don't think it's necessary to pay a guard that much money when you can just find a guy in the 3rd/4th. Look at Fusco, he was drafted even later than that and has quietly been our best lineman this year. I would much rather draft a guard and spend our money on a good veteran defensive back.

[dead_poet]

I like Asamoah as well but he's the best FA guard out there and will likely command Andy Levitre type money.

I doubt he gets that much, but it might be close.

I don't think it's necessary to pay a guard that much money when you can just find a guy in the 3rd/4th.

Except it's not that easy. You just can't plug a third-fourth round guy in there and assume he's going to be a strong starter. It's not necessarily easier finding a good guard in the mid to late rounds than it is a strong starter at any other position.

Look at Fusco, he was drafted even later than that and has quietly been our best lineman this year.

Sadly, that's not really saying much.

I would much rather draft a guard and spend our money on a good veteran defensive back.

I generally agree with you, but the Vikings haven't drafted many mid-higher-round guards in awhile and (depending who's available) I find it hard to believe they'll draft one higher than the fourth or fifth round again. They haven't put much emphasis on the position outside of Hutch in years. If you have a back as talented and expensive as AD, I'd want to give him every chance to succeed. I doubt we'll be in the market for Asamoah, but, frankly, I'm desperate for an upgrade over Johnson and from what I've seen this aren't going to be a lot of starting-caliber guards available in FA.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I doubt he gets that much, but it might be close.
Except it's not that easy. You just can't plug a third-fourth round guy in there and assume he's going to be a strong starter. It's not necessarily easier finding a good guard in the mid to late rounds than it is a strong starter at any other position.
Sadly, that's not really saying much.
I generally agree with you, but the Vikings haven't drafted many mid-higher-round guards in awhile and (depending who's available) I find it hard to believe they'll draft one higher than the fourth or fifth round again. They haven't put much emphasis on the position outside of Hutch in years. If you have a back as talented and expensive as AD, I'd want to give him every chance to succeed. I doubt we'll be in the market for Asamoah, but, frankly, I'm desperate for an upgrade over Johnson and from what I've seen this aren't going to be a lot of starting-caliber guards available in FA.

With 2 3rd round picks this year, I think it's very possible we draft a guard. We don't have many needs on offense outside of guard and QB. Many guards are found in later rounds. I think a 3rd round guard would be able to be a solid starter here no doubt. If AP can succeed with Johnson in front of him, he could with a 3rd-4th round guard. Just because we haven't drafted a guy early as of late doesn't mean we can't do it now

[dead_poet]

With 2 3rd round picks this year, I think it's very possible we draft a guard.

Possible. Or that second will be used as ammo.

We don't have many needs on offense outside of guard and QB.

No, but we have many needs on defense. RB might be a need in the mid to later rounds as well and our offensive tackle depth is troubling.

Many guards are found in later rounds.

Yes, but how many above-average ones?

I think a 3rd round guard would be able to be a solid starter here no doubt.

Why?

If AP can succeed with Johnson in front of him, he could with a 3rd-4th round guard.

What assurance do you have that this third-fourth-round guard will be an upgrade on Charlie Johnson?

Just because we haven't drafted a guy early as of late doesn't mean we can't do it now

True, but with so many other priorities and their draft history it doesn't suggest they'll invest that high. But you never know. It all depends on who's there and their board.

[mondry]

I generally agree with you, but the Vikings haven't drafted many mid-higher-round guards in awhile and (depending who's available) I find it hard to believe they'll draft one higher than the fourth or fifth round again. They haven't put much emphasis on the position outside of Hutch in years. If you have a back as talented and expensive as AD, I'd want to give him every chance to succeed. I doubt we'll be in the market for Asamoah, but, frankly, I'm desperate for an upgrade over Johnson and from what I've seen this aren't going to be a lot of starting-caliber guards available in FA.

Another problem with drafting a late guard is it usually takes them a while to learn the NFL game, improve their bodies / strength, and learn all of our blocking concepts / schemes. Sure fucso looks serviceable now but it's taken until his 3rd year for him to get to the point where he would be an upgrade over someone. I'm not saying a 4th round guard or later isn't worth the investment, I'm just saying you're not going to see the immediate results you would from signing a good veteran FA.

[Pondering Her Percy]

What assurance do you have that this third-fourth-round guard will be an upgrade on Charlie Johnson?

When it comes to the whole OG predicament:

The OL is already pretty decent (outside of Johnson) and LG is a position where rookies and low-drafted players can succeed.


Pro Football Focus' top 10 OGs include:

3rd round-Mathis, Vasquez and Warford
4th round- Sitton
6th round- Slauson and Fusco.

...That's SEVEN out of the top 10!!!

The Vikings have done a solid job developing interior offensive lineman over the years. I think they draft another OG in the 3rd-4th rounds and save the money to spend elsewhere. And we also have Baca which is a possibility.

If they're going to spend a good chunk of money on a FA this year, I really hope it is on defense (NT, LB, or a DB)

[Pondering Her Percy]

THIS IS ALL THE CURRENT SALARIES OF EVERY VIKINGS PLAYER. THIS INCLUDES AVAILABLE CAP ROOM, FREE AGENTS, ETC

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv? ... =drive_web

[mondry]

THIS IS ALL THE CURRENT SALARIES OF EVERY VIKINGS PLAYER. THIS INCLUDES AVAILABLE CAP ROOM, FREE AGENTS, ETC

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv? ... =drive_web

Couple things that caught my eye right away are John Carlson at 5 million (rudolph at 1.4 mil haha), Greenway at 8 million, Erin Henderson at 2.25 million, Ponder at 3.23 million, Mistral Raymond 669k, Letroy Guion 4.5 million, Jamarca Sanford 2.75 million.

Is there a way to tell how much of that cap hit is guaranteed money?

Other than that bunch I don't see anything too out of the ordinary. Hopefully we can free up a little more when all is said and done and get close to 30 million. Then we could sign a "splash" player for say 7-8 million, 2 average / won't break the bank guys at 3-4 million, and some guys for depth at vet minimum to 1 million on one year deals. Leaving about 13 million to re-sign EG, Dean, Sherels, and Berger.

It's a good idea to keep in mind the future as well, guys like Harrison Smith and Kyle Rudolph will probably need to be paid a bit more to keep them when their rookie deals are done. As much fun as it could be to blow our cap load this year, you don't want to lock yourself into the wrong guys long term.

[Demi]

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/minnesota-vi ... -hit/2014/

Not sure if that's any different than the other one, can't seem to get that one to load.

[losperros]

I would say one of my biggest targets is Jarius Byrd. I feel that having him back there with Harrison Smith would improve our defensive backfield tremendously. I like Alterraun Verner and Walter Thurmond III for CB's as well. I really think we need to sign a veteran starter within our defensive backfield. Losing Winfield definitely hurt us.

I am also intrigued by Linval Joseph and Terrence Cody as a potential NT for us.

Interesting targets for the FA.

The more I think about it, the more I agree with you that it's imperative to get a veteran CB as a starter. At first I was thinking that maybe the Vikings could draft another CB (and they still can) but you're right about them missing Winfield's experience and professional know how. A smart veteran CB would really be a good acquisition. The team needs it.

[mondry]

Interesting targets for the FA.

The more I think about it, the more I agree with you that it's imperative to get a veteran CB as a starter. At first I was thinking that maybe the Vikings could draft another CB (and they still can) but you're right about them missing Winfield's experience and professional know how. A smart veteran CB would really be a good acquisition. The team needs it.

I'd go as far to say it's a top priority to get a veteran corner, perhaps one that can even play the slot although that'd just be gravy. We have Rhodes but then a lot of question marks. I don't think you can really trust Robinson, especially not in the slot. I'm not sure you even want to bring Chris Cook back at all either.

If we did draft one, it'd have to be high, like within the first or second round to expect him to come in and be some what decent.

[Demi]

Is an elite CB like Verner going to be willing to come to Minnesota and play outdoors? On a 5 win team? With a new coach? Going to cost significantly more than market value.

Depends on the coach too. And the defensive system.

I guess I find it hard to believe we end up with a damn good young corner like Verner with the team in the shape it is...short of horribly over paying.