Report: Kelechi Osemele and Raiders agree to deal

In NFL free agency, you can't win 'em all.

Yesterday, Rand Getlin reported that the Minnesota Vikings were "surging" in the run for the services of offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele. Widely considered the best free agent offensive lineman this offseason, Osemele's services were reportedly being sought after most by the Vikings and the Oakland Raiders.

Today, it appears that Oakland has won the Osemele Sweepstakes. Getlin is reporting that Osemele to the Raiders is basically a done deal:

When the market opens tomorrow, Kelechi Osemele will become the newest member of the #Raiders. The two sides have an agreement in principle.

— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 8, 2016

Well then.

There's no doubt that Osemele would have filled a big need for the Vikings whether he played guard (most likely) or tackle. However, with the team already committed to Matt Kalil for $11 million this season (assuming he's still on the roster tomorrow; all signs are pointing to that happening), spending at least another $10 million on a guard might have been a bit too much. Perhaps the Vikings were only really involved to help drive up the price to make sure Oakland didn't get Osemele on the cheap; perhaps the Raiders simply ponied up more money in the end. Oakland has a ton of cap room to spend just to make it up to the salary floor, so Osemele's deal in Oakland could be fairly front-loaded.

Either way, it appears the Vikings will have to look elsewhere in free agency or the draft to address their offensive line needs going forward.