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

[dead_poet]

He signed with Oakland.

[halfgiz]

Raiders have been impressive with FA this off season. We will see how it pays off this fall.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

With the Greenway signing, the only two Viking FA that remain are Jason Trusink and Casey Matthews. That off-season period went by in a whirlwind. I am actually slightly surprised the team re-signed as many guys as they did.

[jackal]

Greg Jennings reached out to Slick Rick wanting to rejoining
the Vikings ...I don't see this happening. Interesting though.

[VikingPaul73]

Greg Jennings reached out to Slick Rick wanting to rejoining
the Vikings ...I don't see this happening. Interesting though.

http://www.dailynorseman.com/2016/4/6/1 ... -minnesota

would be interesting

[S197]

Who would he replace though? Assuming they go WR in the first 4 rounds, which is very highly likely, Wallace's spot goes to the rookie. Most likely that would put Thielen on the chopping block who is a solid contributor on special teams (what you want out of your 6th WR).

[VikingPaul73]

Who would he replace though? Assuming they go WR in the first 4 rounds, which is very highly likely, Wallace's spot goes to the rookie. Most likely that would put Thielen on the chopping block who is a solid contributor on special teams (what you want out of your 6th WR).

Good question. I'm not advocating signing Jennings, but just to play along since we're in a boring part of the offseason

1. Possibly this gives them the flexibility to NOT draft a WR and focus on OLB, S, DL, and OL in Rounds 1-4. Clearly Zimmer wants to make the identity of this team an elite D
2. They could cut CJ. Looked like a bust last year although granted he fought injuries for much of the year
3.They could cut CPatt. With the new 25 yard rule he won't be as valuable as a KR and he can't crack the rotation as a WR

[S197]

Good question. I'm not advocating signing Jennings, but just to play along since we're in a boring part of the offseason

1. Possibly this gives them the flexibility to NOT draft a WR and focus on OLB, S, DL, and OL in Rounds 1-4. Clearly Zimmer wants to make the identity of this team an elite D

Certainly possible but I don't think probable. Jennings is in his twilight years so he would really be not much more than a stop gap/mentor. For them to take Jennings and not draft a WR would mean they are very comfortable with the current receiving corp.

2. They could cut CJ. Looked like a bust last year although granted he fought injuries for much of the year

This is a probability that I was thinking about as well. I can't make heads or tails as to why CJ's production fell off the map, he certainly looked good the year prior. He's one of the guys I really hope can return to form. If he and Diggs can both be productive at the same time, that alone is a major upgrade from last year.

3.They could cut CPatt. With the new 25 yard rule he won't be as valuable as a KR and he can't crack the rotation as a WR

They could but I think having a dangerous KR still outweighs having a mentor WR even with the new rule. Plus there may be untapped upside to Patterson whereas Jennings is past his plateau and on the downslope.

[VikingPaul73]

I agree on all 3 of your points.

Here is another possibility....They tell Jennings they are interested, but will get back to him after the draft.

If the draft goes as they hope, and the right WR falls to them at the right spot, then they grab him. But if not, they don't reach. Basically, having Jennings as an option gives them the flexibility not to "reach" for a guy just because they are desperate for a WR - a little insurance to buy them an extra year to see how Diggs develop, and if CJ and/or CPatt can resurrect their careers.

just a thought

[nightowl]

I don't think it's out of the question that Jennings could be brought back. Right now I think the only two WR on the roster who are truly safe are Diggs and Wright. The others should be put into open competition to sort it out. I think that decision would be made after the draft though whether to bring him back in.

[John_Viveiros]

Regarding Jennings, if he hasn't lost all his speed, he was actually a pretty effective #2 guy for us.
2014 59 742 6
2013 68 804 4

We're projecting Diggs as a #1 at
2015 52 720 4

I thought Jennings had a good rapport with Teddy. The numbers speak to that. I don't know why you wouldn't want to get a guy in here who wants to be here and can put up more yards than any guy we had last year, for the right price. It's not like he was a cancer in the locker room.

[autobon7]

Greenway signing official.....http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/V ... 590070c238

[Mothman]

Regarding Jennings, if he hasn't lost all his speed, he was actually a pretty effective #2 guy for us.
2014 59 742 6
2013 68 804 4

We're projecting Diggs as a #1 at
2015 52 720 4

I thought Jennings had a good rapport with Teddy. The numbers speak to that. I don't know why you wouldn't want to get a guy in here who wants to be here and can put up more yards than any guy we had last year, for the right price. It's not like he was a cancer in the locker room.

It's partly a question of whether he's still capable of putting up more yards than any WR the Vikings had last year. It's worth considering but he'd be a short term signing that would take up a roster spot they may prefer to use on someone else, so that's another consideration.

[mansquatch]

I liked Jennings character on and off the field, but does anyone really thing he is a viable replacement relative to his contract value? Also, after Zimmer has flatly said "we need to get better with the guys we have"?

I'd argue that the statement by Zimmer doesn't even make a 1st round WR a slam dunk in the draft.

FA is essentially over. The guys left unsigned are unsigned because not a single NFL GM thinks they are worthy of a contract. Not just Spielman, but all the other GMs including the geniuses in Jacksonville and Cleveland. Why give one of them a contract now when you can wait until August and sign them for even less?

I think the fact Jennings doesn't have a deal with any team says more about his potential contribution than anything else.

[Jordysghost]

I liked Jennings character on and off the field, but does anyone really thing he is a viable replacement relative to his contract value? Also, after Zimmer has flatly said "we need to get better with the guys we have"?

I'd argue that the statement by Zimmer doesn't even make a 1st round WR a slam dunk in the draft.

FA is essentially over. The guys left unsigned are unsigned because not a single NFL GM thinks they are worthy of a contract. Not just Spielman, but all the other GMs including the geniuses in Jacksonville and Cleveland. Why give one of them a contract now when you can wait until August and sign them for even less?

I think the fact Jennings doesn't have a deal with any team says more about his potential contribution than anything else.

If Zimmer actually goes into nest season with no further improvements to the WR core.. well..

I think Jennings is only unsigned because he wants more then he deserves, for vet minimum I think he would be a solid signing.

As to the Browns and Jaguars, I think doing exactly the opposite of what ever it is they do, would be prudent, I also think that believing Jennings lack of interest directly correlates to lack of ability is quite flawed.