Open Rants by Drumma13

This year was quite the roller coaster ride for a Vikings fan. It ended sour, but I will never forget the moment of the Minneapolis Miracle where the entire bar I was in turned into a deafening roar of joy. This is my prediction/suggestion of what might happen during the 2018 offseason for the MN Vikings.

Free Agents:      Everyone knows where to begin, the quarterback conundrum. With Bradford, Bridgewater, and Keenum all potentially heading for free agency there are two scenarios I see best fit. In both timelines I hope Bridgewater will stay on a team friendly deal unless his contract tolls. He is loved by the state and organization, yet I believe his injury was so severe that he might still not be ready to play full time. He will likely function as a backup.

Option 1: Franchise Case Keenum

                Who can disagree that Keenum shocked the world this year with stellar play. A journeyman in his 30’s might not inspire most folk, but he proved he can make big-time throws while in the spotlight. A franchise (although seemingly insane 12 months ago) will give the Vikings another year to assess what he can do in a starting role. Committing further seems like a large step with the departure of Shurmer and what he was able to accomplish with this offense in 2017.

Option 2: Sign Kirk

                I’ve seen rumors about Kirk flirting with a contending Vikings team even though he clearly loves Julie. With a scheme run by DeFilippo, our recievers, a fresh Dalvin Cook, and an improved o-line (see below) this offense could blow up. It would take a pretty penny, but a new scheme could call for a new QB considering the position this organization finds itself in with three intriguing free-agents and the Vikings have the cap room to make it work.  

Re-sign:

Joe Berger: Like Newman he has aged like fine wine, if he continues to play he should be kept.

Marcus Sherels: Key special teams guy, also, GOPHER.

Terence Newman: Shouldn’t pay too much for a 40 year old corner, but I believe he could excel as a backup safety.

Team friendly deal or let them walk club:              Jerick McKinnon, Michael Floyd, Tramaine Brock

                McKinnon looked great in his rookie year while spelling AD on 3^rd downs, but hasn’t flashed since. He did do well running physically for his size and catching the ball this year. Floyd is a luxury depth player who is valuable, yet I don’t know if he has earned big money since his devastating DUI. Brock has potential that I hope Zimmer can unlock.

Let em’ walk:

Kai Forbath: This is tough, he made the clutch kicks this year (BIG turn-on for Vikes fans) but also has put us in tight situations with missed extra points.

Bradford: Mr. Glass earned his title this year when getting injured by seemingly nothing. Looked too shaky when he played the one series mid-season to inspire any sort of confidence.

Tom Johnson: Played well in 2017, but he is hitting his mid-30’s and might attract a sizable contract elsewhere. I also would like to see what 2017 4^th rounder Jaleel Johnson can do after essentially redshirting this past year.

Emmanuel Lamur: Who?! Had a large salary and no apparent impact other than being a backup.

Cuts:     

Jarius Wright: Quality slot player who was overshadowed by a deep receiver core, has had a considerable contract with little production. Even though my newfound buddy at a Vikings game was parading around hilariously after he got a hold of Jarius’ glove and was “smokin a dart” out of it, yelling at all the crowd, this is a necessary move.   Savings – 3.7 Million.

Sharrif Floyd: I was pumped when he fell to us, but it sadly seems like he might not be able to play ever again. Savings – 6.8 Million.

Latavius Murray: He played very well in Cook's absence, but has a back-loaded contract with an opt-out option and will save us a good chunk of cash. Hopefully we can keep Mckinnon for a bit less. Savings - 5.75 Million

Free Agency:

With the two cuts and the players re-signed, I believe they shou(~16 million), the Vikings are looking at about 50 million in cap space. This team currently has few holes in the roster and a handful of players to give contracts to, so I will be brief in my free agent signings as should the Vikes.

Defensive Tackle: Dontari Poe/Star Lotulelei

                Putting one of these two monsters next to Linval Joseph, I like Poe personally, would make our defensive line feared throughout the league. Taking the attention off Griffin and Hunter on the outside would be huge for the defense. ~ 14-15 Mil per year

Guard: (If Kirk is not signed for a large sum) Andrew Norwell/Josh Sitton

                Changing Remmers to guard will be a must, for he did much better on the inside. Finding a stud opposite of Remmers will be very beneficial to bringing the O-line together. I also plan for the Vikings to draft an offensive tackle early to accompany this. ~ 9 Mil per year

Kicker: Sign SEABASS. (Sebastian Janikowski)

                Experience and a big leg, why not? ~Hopefully not a ridiculous kicker contract  

2018 Draft:

Round 1 Pick 30: Offensive Tackle, best pick available – Orlando Brown/Connor Williams/ Mike McGlinchey

                Hopefully a great OT prospect will fall to the 30^th pick (ideally because of a run on QB or RB), which allows Remmers to move inside where he appears more comfortable. Ideally it will be a LT prospect, since Rieff fits best as a RT and can shift to the right side with Remmers.  A solid OL would help propel this offense with whoever is QB along with a hungry Dalvin Cook.

Round 2 Pick 30: Outside Linebacker/Tight End –  OLB Darius Leonard/Dorance Armstrong Jr. or TE Dallas Goedert/Mark Andrews

                The 2^nd round is one I hope the Vikings will find a plug and play player. Either an early down 3^rd 4-3 linebacker or a tight end to pair with Rudolph seems fit. Gedeon is a decent run-stopping linebacker but we can afford to find a sideline to sideline tackler with this pick. John Defilippo had success with Ertz and Burton to become victorious in the Superbowl, so I can imagine his influence pushing to bring in another TE.

Round 3 Pick 30: Tight End (if OLB happens round 2)/ Defensive End – DE Breeland Speaks/Chad Thomas

                If a good OLB talent is available they should jump on it in the 2^nd round, due to both Barr and Kendricks needing contracts soon.  Therefore, if a talented tight end should drop in the draft that should be the choice here. If not, then Zimmer can grab another athletic project player in the 3^rd round (a lot like Danielle Hunnter) that he can coach up and hopefully turn into a star.

Late Rounds:      There is no 4^th round pick because of the Bradford trade, but at least we have a 1^st rounder this year. Later picks should be reserved for depth players as well as at the tune of best player available which works for the teams scheme. Positions needed are: RB, QB (if Teddy goes elsewhere), CB, DT, or any OL.  

This is how I see the Vikings finding Superbowl success for next season, not a lot needs to be done thankfully for them to make history.