Season Summary:
Let's start with the good. The Vikings found a franchise QB in Teddy Bridgewater. He graded out as a top 15 quarterback on Pro Football Focus, and should only get better. With some improvements around him, the Vikings could be back in the playoff hunt.
Updated Jan. 10
Projected Salary Cap (via Spotrac):
$9,955,587
Team needs:
1. Offensive tackle: Matt Kalil was really bad last year. He was a high draft pick just a few years ago, so he’ll probably get another shot. But it might be time to start looking for another option.
2. Running back: Matt Asiata is a restricted free agent and Adrian Peterson might not be back. Cutting Peterson would save the Vikings $13 million. The jury is still out on Jerick McKinnon.
3. Outside linebacker: Chad Greenway has had massive negative grades from Pro Football Focus the past two years. He’s a free agent in a year and the Vikings could save over $7 million by cutting him now. At the very least, Minnesota needs to find his heir.
4. Offensive guard: Neither Charlie Johnson nor Vladimir Ducasse played well. Keeping at guard Joe Berger (after moving over from center late in the season) would make sense. Perhaps Brandon Fusco can return healthy and start. Ducasse is a free agent and Johnson could be cut.
5. Defensive end: Everson Griffen played great, but Brian Robison and Corey Wootton got terrible grades from Pro Football Focus. Wootton is a free agent and cutting Robison would save the Vikings almost $2.5 million. The replacement might already be on the roster in Scott Crichton.
6. Punter: Jeff Locke got an awful grade from Pro Football Focus. Finding an upgrade would make sense.
7. Quarterback: Matt Cassel could be cut (see below) and Christian Ponder is a free agent. Finding a veteran who can help mentor Bridgewater is likely.
8. Fullback: The position is not as prevalent as it once was, but the Vikings have a solid one in Jerome Felton. However, he might opt out of his contract.
Free Agents:
QB Christian Ponder
RB Matt Asiata (RFA)
FB Jerome Felton (will likely opt out)
OT Mike Harris (RFA)
OG Vladimir Ducasse
C Joe Berger
C Josh Samuda
DT Corey Wootton
DE Tom Johnson
MLB Jasper Brinkley
MLB Dom DeCicco
LS Cullen Loeffler
Potential Cap Casualties:
RB Adrian Peterson: potential savings of $13 million
OLB Chad Greenway: potential savings of $7.1 million
WR Greg Jennings: potential savings of $5 million (a restructure is more likely)
QB Matt Cassel: potential savings of $4.75 million
OG Charlie Johnson: potential savings of $2.5 million
DE Brian Robison: potential savings of $2.45 million
*All figures via Spotrac
Draft Picks:
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Transactions: