Assessing the Minnesota Vikings’ Free Agency Moves!
In this NFL free agency period, the Minnesota Vikings stood out as one of the most active and impactful teams, despite not making as many signings as some other franchises like the Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, or Washington Commanders. OverTheCap reports that the Vikings acquired 11 new free agents with a collective yearly contract value of $67.7 million, ranking fifth highest in the league.
However, the Vikings also led in the “lost” free agency value, with former players securing contracts totaling $102.6 million per year with new teams. This places Minnesota at the top of the league in terms of total roster turnover by value. With a total of $170.2 million in average annual salary either added or acquired, the Vikings surpassed other teams like the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans in this regard.
Despite these significant changes, did the Vikings emerge as winners in free agency?
Key departures included Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter, which could have posed challenges. Additionally, the loss of Marcus Davenport, K.J. Osborn, Jordan Hicks, and D.J. Wonnum highlighted the substantial movement among players who had played significant roles for the team.
However, despite the loss of veteran players, the Vikings seemed to have reinforced their squad with incoming players expected to make an impact. A rough measure shows that while the Vikings lost four players with contracts averaging over $5 million per year, they brought in six new players with similar contracts, indicating a net gain in impactful signings.
Let’s delve into specific signings to gauge the success of Minnesota’s free agency approach:
Quarterbacks: Kirk Cousins ($45M per year) to Sam Darnold ($10M per year) – Grade: B+ While not a direct exchange, the move from Cousins to Darnold signifies a strategic shift for the team. Despite uncertainties surrounding Darnold’s performance, it represents a step towards evolving the quarterback position.
Edge Rushers: Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, D.J. Wonnum to Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel – Grade: B Despite losing key edge rushers, the additions of Greenard and Van Ginkel offer potential improvements, albeit with some uncertainties.
Linebackers: Jordan Hicks to Blake Cashman – Grade: C The transition from Hicks to Cashman might not be seamless, with questions about Cashman’s ability to replicate past performance.
Wide Receivers: K.J. Osborn to Trent Sherfield – Grade: C- The move from Osborn to Sherfield might weaken the receiver depth, posing a challenge for the offense.
Running Backs: Alexander Mattison to Aaron Jones – Grade: B+ Signing Jones presents a value-added move, although injury concerns remain a factor.
Cornerbacks: No exchange, signing Shaquill Griffin – Grade: B- Griffin’s acquisition adds depth to the cornerback position, albeit with some uncertainties.
Defensive Linemen: Khyiris Tonga to Jerry Tillery, Jonah Williams – Grade: C- The defensive line signings may not fully address the team’s needs, with room for improvement.
Overall, the Vikings’ free agency performance earns a grade of B-. While some transactions fell short, key moves, particularly at quarterback and edge rusher positions, show promise. Looking ahead, a successful draft could further enhance the team’s prospects for the upcoming season.
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