PHP's "Pre-Combine" Mock Offseason

[Pondering Her Percy]

As you guys can probably tell by now....I enjoy doing these. Granted, my mind will change after the combine but I've been thinking this one over for the past few days. Hope you guys enjoy!!



UFA's Retained

QB- Matt Cassel (Does not opt out of contract)
OG- Joe Berger- 1 year
OT- J'Marcus Webb- 1 year
DT- Fred Evans- 2 years
DT- Kevin Williams- 2 years (fairly cheap)
DE- Everson Griffen- 4 years


RFA's Retained
LB- Larry Dean
CB- Marcus Sherels


Players Released/Cut
DT- Letroy Guion
LB- Erin Henderson


Players Retired
TE- John Carlson


Free Agency


CB- Captain Munnerlyn- 4 years- Munnerlyn is coming off of the best season in his career. He is smaller and is best suited in the slot and will bump Josh Robinson to our #4 CB (because of someone we are taking in the draft). Outside of that, Munnerlyn can do it all. He is a playmaking corner that is very physical for being a smaller guy and is a solid tackler. He has had 10 caused turnovers and 5 sacks in his career.





LB- Arthur Moats- 3 years- Moats was somewhat buried on Buffalo's depth chart but still managed to have a solid season. Moats is a LB that can play inside or outside which is very intriguing. He has also shown flashes of getting to the QB and causing turnovers early in his career. Moats was the one that nearly killed Brett Favre in 2010





LG- Zane Beadles- 3 years- Beadles is currently Peyton's left guard and has been solid throughout his career. He has started 62 out of 64 games in his career. He will be an immediate upgrade over Charlie Johnson.





WR- Brandon Tate- 1 year- Tate is simply a depth signing after letting Simpson and Webb walk. He will be our #5 WR.





2014 NFL Draft


TRADE- The Vikings trade their 1st round pick (8th overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers for their 1st (15th overall), 3rd round pick, and 2015 5th round pick.


Round 1 (15th) via Pittsburgh

NT- Louis Nix III- Notre Dame- We are able to trade down and still get our guy. Nix will be an immediate starter next to Shariff Floyd and will create one of the best young interior tandems. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcJiW47eHrk





TRADE- The Vikings trade their 2nd round pick (36th overall) and their 4th round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for their 1st round pick (32nd overall)


Round 1 (32nd) via Seattle

QB- Jimmy Garoppolo- Eastern Illinois- Some might not agree trading up for Garoppolo but we have to remember, there are some QB needy teams that will be picking ahead of us in the 2nd that will NOT take a QB in the 1st. Spielman makes this trade in order to jump those teams and assure to get the guy that he wants. Also, this would be something we can afford to do after trading down from our 1st pick and gaining an extra 3rd round pick.

Garoppolo has all the tools to be a franchise QB. He has a lightning quick release, great footwork and is a pure pocket passer. He is also very athletic as well. One thing that scouts knocked him for was his hand size but after the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl, this was quickly shot down and was no longer a worry. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xm-Ezr7E3Y





Round 3

CB- Stanley Jean-Baptiste- Nebraska- Jean-Baptiste is my favorite CB in this draft. I feel like he is tremendously underrated and can be a big time sleeper in this draft. He is a monster CB standing at 6'3 220 lbs. He is a very physical corner that has a lot of play-making ability. I think he can come in and become an immediate starter opposite Xavier Rhodes. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq-FztyrMqQ





Round 3 via Pittsburgh

LB- Telvin Smith- Florida St.- I believe Smith is another big sleeper in this years draft. He has played some MIKE LB but was moved to WILL LB this year. He's an absolute freak athlete with a very high-motor and great leadership skills. I can see him being a stud under Zimmer. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb6YTCFpHjc





Round 3 via Seattle

DE- Chris Smith- Arkansas- Smith has had a good season this year but it has been overlooked because of how bad Arkansas was. He will come in as a rotational DE. Similar to what Everson did this year. The Vikings were talking with him often at the Senior Bowl. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYHjnUJoze8





Round 5

S- Marqueston Huff- Wyoming- Huff's stock has risen somewhat following the Senior Bowl. Huff is a VERY physical safety and was among the nation's leaders in tackles. Huff will come in and give Sanford a run for his money. I think he has a solid chance to become the starter. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TWd7En8-m0





Round 6

RB- James White- Wisconsin- We need a RB to back-up AP. White has the potential to play the "Chester Taylor" role in our offense. He is a solid change of pace RB that was overshadowed by Melvin Gordon all season. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCyp0eqNmU0





Round 7

WR- Cody Hoffman- BYU- Hoffman will come in and compete with guys like Childs, Smith, and Tate for a roster spot. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSGHyipXbtc




....Hope you guys enjoyed the read!!!

[JD_Fiction]

Why would we trade out of the 8th for anything less than a 1st and 2nd? I believe Micheal Johnson could and should be signed, D is the way to go in the Draft but passing on Barr and Mack for a 3rd is not the way to go.

[smoothoperator]

wouldnt mind that offseason at all. although i believe we will get michael johnson and we are expected to go for Verner, who i would much rather have over munnerlyn. but good work!

[Pondering Her Percy]

Why would we trade out of the 8th for anything less than a 1st and 2nd? I believe Micheal Johnson could and should be signed, D is the way to go in the Draft but passing on Barr and Mack for a 3rd is not the way to go.

A 1st and 3rd are probably the best we can can get being at 8th. The Dolphins gave the Raiders a 1st and a 2nd to move from 12 to 3. 3 carries much more value than 8. Plus the Raiders moved down 9 spots. We would only be moving down 7 spots. That's still good value.

As for Barr, he's a better fit in a 3-4 scheme than anything. I'll pass. I really like Mack but if we can trade down and we can get Nix along with extra picks I think that's just as good or even better value.

Remember, not everyone throws their draft away like the Washington Redskins

[Pondering Her Percy]

wouldnt mind that offseason at all. although i believe we will get michael johnson and we are expected to go for Verner, who i would much rather have over munnerlyn. but good work!

Thanks! I had Verner in my last mock and I agree, we have a chance getting Johnson but I highly doubt we land both. They are both going to command a solid pay day. Also if we give Griffen a good sized contract and sign Johnson, we will have 3 DEs under big contracts. I'm not sure how I feel about that. If we let Griffen walk, I think Johnson is almost a guarantee.

[dead_poet]

FWIW:

Letroy Guion - DL - Vikings

ESPN Vikings blogger Ben Goessling considers NT Letroy Guion a candidate to be released.

Guion, 26, started all 13 games he appeared in and notched a meager 21 tackles and one sack from the nose tackle spot. He split time there with Fred Evans and Kevin Williams. Entering the final year of a three-year deal, Guion is scheduled to count $4.3 million against the cap. The Vikings could save $4 million by cutting him. Minnesota needs to upgrade its defense however possible.
Source: ESPN.com

[Pondering Her Percy]

FWIW:

Letroy Guion - DL - Vikings

ESPN Vikings blogger Ben Goessling considers NT Letroy Guion a candidate to be released.

Guion, 26, started all 13 games he appeared in and notched a meager 21 tackles and one sack from the nose tackle spot. He split time there with Fred Evans and Kevin Williams. Entering the final year of a three-year deal, Guion is scheduled to count $4.3 million against the cap. The Vikings could save $4 million by cutting him. Minnesota needs to upgrade its defense however possible.
Source: ESPN.com

Yeah I think he's good as gone. Thanks for the update!

[Mothman]

Yeah I think he's good as gone. Thanks for the update!

It's a cut that would make sense. He's had a chance to define his role with the team and he really hasn't seized it. They can probably use the cap space the cut would make available to upgrade the position.

[Eli]

What would the Steelers do with the #8 pick?

Is there a financial reason to release Letroy Guion in the off season rather than bringing him into camp and letting him compete for a job? He doesn't have a roster bonus due. It should be stating the obvious, but the Vikings have very little behind the unproven Sharrif Floyd at DT. Maybe they re-sign Kevin Williams. Maybe they re-sign Fred Evans. Those three combined don't add up to much.

[Pondering Her Percy]

What would the Steelers do with the #8 pick?

Is there a financial reason to release Letroy Guion in the off season rather than bringing him into camp and letting him compete for a job? He doesn't have a roster bonus due. It should be stating the obvious, but the Vikings have very little behind the unproven Sharrif Floyd at DT. Maybe they re-sign Kevin Williams. Maybe they re-sign Fred Evans. Those three combined don't add up to much.

The steelers could definitely use offensive line help and go after Matthews or Robinson or get a guy like Mike Evans. And yeah we don't have much outside of Floyd but why on earth would you keep Guion for $ 4.3 million? He's a well below average player that is getting paid wayyyy too much. Hence, why I have us taking Nix in the 1st. Maybe we could get KWill back cheap or if not we can look for cheap depth in UDFA or FA. Either way, it's hard to believe Floyd and Nix wouldn't be a good tandem.

[Pondering Her Percy]

It's a cut that would make sense. He's had a chance to define his role with the team and he really hasn't seized it. They can probably use the cap space the cut would make available to upgrade the position.

I wouldn't mind KWill back cheap to be a reliever for Floyd and have Evans backup Nix

[Eli]

I'm afraid my expectations for Floyd aren't quite what they were when we drafted him. Hopefully, he has a breakout season.

Is there any reason why Guion's contract couldn't be renegotiated? The numbers make it plain that he's not a $4M DT, so it shouldn't be a hard sell. The opportunity for him to play is better here than most other places, so that too would be a reason for him to want to come back.

I also don't see Erin Henderson being released, unless someone emerges big time at LB. Yeah, he stinks, but so did nearly everyone on the Vikings' defense last year. Guion and Henderson aren't yet at the age where you release them without a second thought while rebuilding. They're both far from the worst players at their positions on the current roster.

[dead_poet]

Nice writeup. I agree a bit more here than the last one. A couple things:

1) I worry about Munnerlyn. At 5'8/186 he makes me nervous on the outside matching up twice/year with guys like Calvin Johnson (6'5/236), Brandon Marshall (6'4/230), Alshon Jeffery (6'3/216) and Jordy Nelson (6'3/217). I guess my preference in Verner isn't much better (5'10), and Verner will likely be even more costly. While Munnerlyn had a good year, I'm curious the type of talent he faced this season and how much can be attributed to a ferocious pass-rush. He certainly didn't have a good game against Boldin in the divisional round. But from what I've read he's a tough guy, takes pride in his work and is a hard worker. That was the type of player the last staff wanted and I'd wager he still has the characteristics Spielman (and Zimmer) is looking for. He also doesn't allow many receiving TDs and is adept at rushing the passer, when asked.

Per PFF:

has not allowed a touchdown when covering the slot receiver. And while quarterbacks throwing to slot receivers in Munnerlyn’s coverage have earned a mediocre QB rating of 81.9, they have thrown for a combined 449 yards, with more than half of them coming after the catch.

and

When working against the slot, Munnerlyn has been targeted more than all but two other corners (Brandon Boykin and Tracy Porter) and has given up 42 catches, also a Bottom-5 figure. With 371 slot snaps spent in coverage, though, his per-snap numbers for targets and receptions have him around the middle of the pack. Among the 22 corners who’ve spent at least 250 snaps covering the slot, Munnerlyn’s 79.9 passer rating allowed ranks ninth and he’s one of a handful to not have given up a touchdown yet this year.

I'm also quite curious about Sam Shields. Talib and Vontae Davis make me worry with off-the-field stuff the Vikings can ill-afford. They'll likely be too pricey anyway and re-up with New England and Indy, respectively. It's quite curious the comments made by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, which calls into question his commitment. His history of under-achieving and injury woes are a red flag for me. So I suppose I'd be really curious about Shields, Verner and Munnerlyn if we (hopefully) bring in some (reasonably-priced) corner help. Like most, it'll likely come down to money. But the presence of Zimmer can't hurt. Hopefully it'll offset the fact that they'll be playing outdoors quite a bit over the course of their contract. Maybe we'll get lucky and the corner market will be as surprisingly reasonably-priced as it was last season. This is the pick of your I can get the most behind.

2) Moats is an underwhelming prospect, and I don't know how much of an upgrade he'd be to anyone we currently have. He's been an efficient tackler on limited opportunities, though I'm not sure getting two forced fumbles in his first two seasons (0 since) constitute a "flash." I don't think he'd be more than a decent depth guy and we already have a lot of questions with guys like Cole, Bishop (if re-signed), Hodges, Mauti who likely can be that guy. I'm not sure it'd just be throwing money away on a guy whose production may be easily matched. From what I understand he's solid as a run-defender, but that's about it. I don't know if you can count on the guy to start, especially in the middle. I'd prefer Cole in this scenario, but Moats would be a decent depth signing, for the right price.

3) I'm not a Zane Beadles fan. His pass protection is sub-par and we already have that guy in CJ. If we're going to upgrade on CJ, let's upgrade. Asamoah or Schwartz. Heck, I wouldn't even mind a one- or two-year deal to Willie Colon as we groom someone. Colon will likely come at a pretty good price after tearing his bicep in week 17. Mike Pollak might be another lateral option and is a Bengal, but I don't think he'd give us much of an upgrade.

4) I can't fault you here for Brandon Tate. Provided we're done with Simpson/Webb, we would need another inexpensive body. This may also be an opportunity for Rodney Smith or a late-round or UDFA.

5) If we trade back here like you suggest, Nix is an excellent target. We've missed a big presence in the middle since Pat Williams left. I'd also consider Darqueze Dennard, Justin Gilbert, C.J. Mosley, Jimmie Ward, Mike Evans or RaShede Hageman here.

6) I like Garoppolo, but not enough to trade back into the first for him.

7) Love the pick. Hope he lasts until here. Doubt he will.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I'm afraid my expectations for Floyd aren't quite what they were when we drafted him. Hopefully, he has a breakout season.

Is there any reason why Guion's contract couldn't be renegotiated? The numbers make it plain that he's not a $4M DT, so it shouldn't be a hard sell. The opportunity for him to play is better here than most other places, so that too would be a reason for him to want to come back.

I also don't see Erin Henderson being released, unless someone emerges big time at LB. Yeah, he stinks, but so did nearly everyone on the Vikings' defense last year. Guion and Henderson aren't yet at the age where you release them without a second thought while rebuilding. They're both far from the worst players at their positions on the current roster.

Guion could get restructured but I would imagine he would be taking a serious pay cut. I'm fine with it if we keep him for cheap as a rotational guy but if that doesn't happen, I think we should let him go.

As for Henderson....he had 2 DWI within a month or so of each other. It's been reported that they will release him after the Super Bowl when rosters are no longer frozen. Essentially, we don't really need him. Especially in the situation I have above. Cole proved he was a better MLB than him, plus I had us signing Moats and for the outside you have Greenway and Telvin Smith, who I had us drafting, plus Hodges. And let's not forget about Mauti throughout the entire mix. Henderson is pretty much useless at this point and obviously has a drinking problem. There is really no need for us to keep him. The guy needs some help.

[mansquatch]

Was there news that I missed regarding us shifting the defense to 3-4?

LB is a black hole. Audie Cole was better than EH, but was he that much better? Not say he wouldn’t be an upgrade, but this position group continues to lack a definitive playmaker. In that respect I would say all three starters are probably less than safe, including Greenway. Of course this assumes they keep the 4-3 alignment. If they go to a 3-4 they may decide some relatively unknown guy is a good fit?

I think it is very premature at this point to prognosticate what happens to whom. Free Agency might give us some clues, we’ll see…

My big hope is they start emphasizing Man coverage schemes and ditch the zone crap. Look what happened in the Pro-Bowl when they allowed Man coverage. The Scoring was way down vs. when all they could play was zone. Obviously we need talent that can play Man, but I think the writing is on the wall when you play an elite passer. They salivate over zone defenses.