2016 Vikings Free Agency Thread (News, Rumors, Transactions)

[Texas Vike]

LOL!

Givins and I are close in age (I'm a little older) so that will give you an idea of how many years I have behind me. Those Oilers teams he played for were exciting to watch. Moon was a heck of a QB, especially in his prime.

Yeah, I like smash mouth ball too, but there was something innovative and exciting about that team's offense. It was a dream for fantasy FB to have their WRs or Moon as your QB. Their uniforms were cool too. I can't imagine a team being called the "oilers" now, such an 80s name even.

So back to the thread's purpose: are you content with the FA moves or are you hoping for some more OL help? How about at SS? I am OK with both, but not completely satisfied. I look forward to seeing what they do in the draft. Of course, I love Doctson, but I have a feeling they are going to draft a D lineman at 23. So many high quality guys are projected about where we are. Maybe they'll trade back into the bottom of the first to draft Doctson? We also need a Safety IMO, but no one warrants a pick at 23 in my view. In rounds 2-4 I'm hoping for some OL, WR, and SS help. At 23, I want a special talent--a game changer; don't care about the position.

[mansquatch]

Safety is, IMO the 2nd hardest position to draft. Most of the college guys just do not translate well to the NFL game. If there is a good one, you need usually need a higher 1st round pick to get him. Even then they seem to be hit or miss.

Then again I wonder what the draft position of the NFL's top safeties are. We know #22 was 1st rounder. Curious about the others. Maybe it is a roll the dice deal and 4th round guy could make it happen. Who knows?

[Mothman]

Yeah, I like smash mouth ball too, but there was something innovative and exciting about that team's offense. It was a dream for fantasy FB to have their WRs or Moon as your QB. Their uniforms were cool too. I can't imagine a team being called the "oilers" now, such an 80s name even.

It's definitely hard to imagine that name being given to a new team now.

So back to the thread's purpose: are you content with the FA moves or are you hoping for some more OL help?

I think Boone provides an upgrade at guard but I still believe OL needs to be one of their top priorities, if not the top priority, in the draft. I see signing Boone as a start and I see Harris and Bykowski (who were re-signed) as backup-level players, at least in terms of the kind of line I want to see the Vikings build.

How about at SS?

I'm definitely not satisfied there either. Griffin looks like a stopgap and I'm not sure he'll even end up starting over Sendejo.

I am OK with both, but not completely satisfied. I look forward to seeing what they do in the draft. Of course, I love Doctson, but I have a feeling they are going to draft a D lineman at 23. So many high quality guys are projected about where we are. Maybe they'll trade back into the bottom of the first to draft Doctson?

Maybe... I don't trust projections too much at this time of year so I haven't thought about that scenario. It seems they always shift a lot leading up to the draft. That's my way of saying I won't be surprised at all if they select a WR in R1 so getting Doctson seems like a real possibility if he's still available.

If they do draft a d-lineman in R1, it better be because that player was rated as a serious bargain for them on their board because they have positions they truly need to address and there will probably be some quality talent available at those positions.

We also need a Safety IMO, but no one warrants a pick at 23 in my view. In rounds 2-4 I'm hoping for some OL, WR, and SS help. At 23, I want a special talent--a game changer; don't care about the position.

It's never a bad idea to draft a truly a special, game-changing player.

Those comments probably make it pretty clear that I'm not content, eh?

[Texas Vike]

Those comments probably make it pretty clear that I'm not content, eh?

There probably wouldn't be much to talk about if we were content!

Enjoyed your thoughts. My early inclination for a D lineman is because this is a deep draft class for top tier D linemen. I think it's something of a strength on our team, but the trenches are so important that if the right guy is there I am in favor of taking him. When I watched Bama's front four just demolish Mich. St.'s OL, I concluded two things: 1) I don't want anything to do with Conklin at #23, he got his back side handed to him and 2) I'd be happy with one of those beasts from the Tide. They were a mean unit, very fun to watch.

[mansquatch]

I would love it if they drafted an elite NT. We took a step back when Joseph hurt his foot this season. Having talent at NT would be a great boon, IMO.

[Texas Vike]

I would love it if they drafted an elite NT. We took a step back when Joseph hurt his foot this season. Having talent at NT would be a great boon, IMO.

Yeah, it's a tricky situation because you don't want to over invest in a position, but on the other hand, look what Linval did for us when he was healthy last year. I'd kind of like an elite DE, myself. Somebody to take over for Robison. If we were to go w/ a NT, he'd likely ride pine until Linval's performance wanes.

[Mothman]

There probably wouldn't be much to talk about if we were content!

That's true. We'd just be a bunch of cheerleaders.

Enjoyed your thoughts.

Thanks. Ditto!

My early inclination for a D lineman is because this is a deep draft class for top tier D linemen. I think it's something of a strength on our team, but the trenches are so important that if the right guy is there I am in favor of taking him. When I watched Bama's front four just demolish Mich. St.'s OL, I concluded two things: 1) I don't want anything to do with Conklin at #23, he got his back side handed to him and 2) I'd be happy with one of those beasts from the Tide. They were a mean unit, very fun to watch.

It's an interesting question: the trenches are really important but to me, that underlines the need to upgrade the talent level of the offensive line as much as it makes some of those defensive linemen in the draft attractive possibilities for the Vikes. From what I've read, this draft is pretty deep at offensive line too. I wouldn't even rule out Conklin, although I understand why you'd come away from that Alabama game feeling as you do. MSU's line had an uncharacteristically poor performance in that game. It was ugly.

Adding more talent and depth to the d-line rotation could be a good move but I feel the Vikings have reached a point with their offensive line that trumps the "best player available" philosophy to an extent. I'm not suggesting they leave a far more talented player on the board to reach for a clearly inferior player but I do think they're past the point where they have the luxury of indulging in a philosophy of just drafting athletes they love. I see the OL much like the defense at the end of the Dennis Green era (although the cupboard isn't quite that bare) or even the defense in 2013: a volatile mix of age and uncertainty that could become an anchor that drags the team down over the next few years.

They need to keep an open mind but I hope they lean toward OL early and only veer away from it if/when their board strongly suggests that's the smartest move.

[Mothman]

Yeah, it's a tricky situation because you don't want to over invest in a position, but on the other hand, look what Linval did for us when he was healthy last year. I'd kind of like an elite DE, myself. Somebody to take over for Robison. If we were to go w/ a NT, he'd likely ride pine until Linval's performance wanes.

.. or be part of a rotation.

They might see Hunter as Robison's successor. He looked good in limited action last season.

[dead_poet]

.. or be part of a rotation.

They might see Hunter as Robison's successor. He looked good in limited action last season.

I'd be shocked if he wasn't being groomed for just that.

[Texas Vike]

.. or be part of a rotation.

They might see Hunter as Robison's successor. He looked good in limited action last season.

Hunter and Everson are great. IMO, there's room for one more top end talent. Your rumination on OL are very prudent, though. The problem, as I see it, is that we are in a weird spot with injuries and Kalil being Kalil. Is it really time to draft a top tier Tackle? How about a Center? Maybe it is. Maybe it always is, just like D line.

[halfgiz]

Was disappointed at SS....When your shooting for Iloka and pick up Griffin. That's a let down.
Pretty happy about getting Boone.
Offensive line competition is going to be pretty intense.

[Mothman]

Hunter and Everson are great. IMO, there's room for one more top end talent. Your rumination on OL are very prudent, though. The problem, as I see it, is that we are in a weird spot with injuries and Kalil being Kalil. Is it really time to draft a top tier Tackle? How about a Center? Maybe it is. Maybe it always is, just like D line.

I think it's time to draft an elite tackle, center or guard if they think there's one available! Elite or not, I think they have to bring in more young, high quality OL talent. If I'm not mistaken, the only offensive tackle they have signed beyond 2016 is Clemmings, who is young and could improve but was also a disaster at RT last season. Kalil and Loadholt will both be free agents after this season. Harris signed a 1 year deal. Boone could swing out to tackle but that seems a less-than-optimal solution, especially since it appears they're going to integrate him into their scheme as a guard this year.

We all know about the age and injury situations with players like Sullivan, Loadholt and Berger. There's an ideal scenario where everybody proves to be healthy, plays well and the team can keep a somewhat solid core together for a few more years but as I see it, this could quickly become the OL equivalent of the QB situation after 2010, when Webb was the only QB under contract. That's more of a worst-scenario view but they need to avoid that possibility. Good OL play, good blocking, is too important for the team to get caught with their proverbial pants down. The line play has already been a liability for years so I think the smart move is to stop putting band-aids on it and start making a very concerted, serious, multi-year effort to build it from a liability into a powerful foundation unit.

Then again, I'm kind of a fanatic about this subject. I just see the o-line as one of the most important units on the team.

[dead_poet]

Hunter and Everson are great. IMO, there's room for one more top end talent. Your rumination on OL are very prudent, though. The problem, as I see it, is that we are in a weird spot with injuries and Kalil being Kalil. Is it really time to draft a top tier Tackle? How about a Center? Maybe it is. Maybe it always is, just like D line.

IMO it's imperative we draft a legit LT for competition this year (as well as a contingency for Kalil's performance/knees) AND a center to groom for when Berger is done (probably on his last contract) and Sully is up in the air but I want a contingency/succession plan there too. This is a great draft for centers.

[dead_poet]

Rhett is toying with my emotions.

With Rhett Ellison unlikely to be re-signed, a source said Friday the Vikings have expressed interest in free-agent tight end James Hanna.

http://www.twincities.com/2016/03/11/vi ... mes-hanna/

[Boon]

Then if kalil returns to rookie form everyone will be mad that we have too many linemen, smh.