FanPost

Vikings Spin's 2019 Mock Draft & Off Season V7

By Jason Wisniewski

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Roster Moves

I begin with roughly $6.9 million in cap space

(Source: Vikings Cap Calculator)

OvertheCap’s website is counting all of the "reserve/future contract" players towards the cap. I will later release many of these players during Final Roster Cuts as I will illustrate below. Some will be re-signed to the Practice Squad but they will not count against the salary cap when they are the practice squad.

Released

S Andrew Sendejo, T/G Mike Remmers, WR Laquon Treadwell, TE Kyle Rudolph

Total 2019 Cap Savings = $18.2 million

Restructured Contracts/Extensions

WR Adam Thielen (2 yr Extension signed through 2022, 2019 cap hit increased by $1.9 million)

Rest of contract: 2020 cap hit=$13.1 mill, 2021 cap hit=$14 million, 2022 cap hit= $15.1 million w/only $2 million dead cap in final yr

Summary: I slapped an $8 million signing bonus onto Thielen’s existing contract but added 2 more years to it. He get’s a deserved raise up to $10 million in 2019 and then his cap number increases over the final 3 seasons The way the contract is structured he’s safe until 2022. In the final year the Vikings can save $13.1 million by cutting or trading him.

CB Trae Waynes (4 yr Extension, 2019 cap savings= $2 million)

Rest of contract: 2020 cap hit= $12 million, 2021 cap hit=$12.5 million, 2022 cap hit= $13.5 million, 2023=$14 million)

Summary: I tack on 4 more years to Waynes current contract and in return he lowers his cap figure to $7 million for 2019. He gets a $10 million dollar signing bonus. 2019 through 2021 are guaranteed base salaries. 2022 & 2023 have no guaranteed base salaries so the Vikings could save $9.5 million by cutting or trading him in 2022 with $4 million dead cap towards the following year or save $12 million by cutting or trading him in 2023 with only $2 million in dead cap for the following year as only the pro rated portions of his signing bonus would be due in those years.

Linval Joseph (Restructure, 2019 cap savings $6.4 million)

Rest of contract: 2020 $15 million, 2021=$14.5 million, 2022=$14.6 million, only $2.1 million guaranteed in final year of contract.

Summary: We converted almost all of Linval’s base salary to signing bonus, paying him more upfront but lowering his 2019 cap hit by $7.7 million. Linval is still technically signed through 2022 but by 2021 the Vikings can walk away with only $5.4 million in dead cap which would save $9.1 million in cap space for the 2021 season.

DE Everson Griffen (Restructure, 2019 cap savings $5.9 million)

Rest of contract: 2020 cap hit=$7 million, 2021= $7.5, 2022=$7 million

Summary: We basically tore up the existing contract, gave him a $6 million signing bonus and guaranteed his base salaries through the 2021 season. For 2022 he can be released for a savings of $5.5 million with $1.5 million in dead cap for the following year. What is does is pay him more more upfront and gives him security for the next couple of years in guaranteed money. For a player who is 31 years old the hope is that he will stay here with the support system he has with dealing with his mental health maintenance and retire a Minnesota Viking.

Total 2019 Cap Savings after Restructures = $12.4 million

Trade

2020 Rd 3 pick to Oakland for G Kelechi Osemele

(Re-structured Contract/2 yr extension, 2019 cap hit= $ 7 million)

Rest of contract: 2020 cap hit= $7.5 million, 2021 cap hit=$8 million, 2022 cap hit= $9 million

Summary: We re-do his current contract and add 2 more years to it which keeps him here through 2022. $6 million signing bonus, base salaries are guaranteed for 2019 & 2020. No base salary guarantees for 2021 or 2022. The Vikings can release him in 2022 with only $1.5 million in dead money for the following years.

osemele

Once acquired and as a condition of the trade the Vikings re-structure Osemele’s deal to make it more cap friendly by giving him some guaranteed money (of which he currently has $0) in return for him lowering his base salaries over the next 2 seasons. The Vikings also add on 2 more years on to the contract keeping him under contract through 2022.

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Re-Signings, Tenders & Pre-Draft Free Agency

I enter the signing period with $30.5 million in cap space

freeagency

Re-signed

FB CJ Ham (ERFA Tender, 2019 cap hit= $645 k)

ham1

This is a no brainer as Ham is an ERFA and will only cost 645 k against the cap. Ham showed good blocking skills and an ability to catch the football and pass block. He’s a solid FB who can also play RB in a pinch.

K Dan Bailey (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit $1.5 million)

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Bailey has expressed interest in returning and seemed to have regained his form in the latter part of this season and with being another year removed from injury he should be ready to have a very good season. A 1 yr deal would be good here and let him battle it out with a UDFA in camp to push him to do his best.

C/G Nick Easton (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $805 k)

Nick Easton

Easton has wound up on IR the past 2 seasons so he should come cheap on a 1 yr "prove it" deal for the league minimum. When healthy Easton is a fairly effective player at either Center or Guard. He can come in and compete for a starting spot or be a valuable depth piece anywhere on the interior O-line.

S Anthony Harris (4 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $3.1 million)

Rest of contract: 2020 cap hit= $5.1 million, 2021 cap hit= $6.1 million, 2022 cap hit=$6.5 million

Summary: $6 million signing bonus. 2019 & 2020 base salaries guaranteed. 2021 & 2022 no guarantee for base salaries. If released in 2020 the Vikings would save $4.6 million for the 2020 cap. If released in 2022 the Vikings could save $5 million for the 2021 cap.

harris2

Harris locked down the Safety spot after Andrew Sendejo went down, beating out veteran George Iloka in a competition. He was one of the highest rated Safeties this season by PFF had a knack for big plays and improved the Vikings pass defense. The Vikings should at the very least give him the 2nd rd tender at $3.1 million for 2019 and in my opinion and in this situation just go for a multi year contract with him as Harris is a young and ascending starting safety who’s price tag won’t be too high if you sign him long term right away.

UFA Additions

C Matt Paradis (4 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $8 million)

Rest of contract: 2020= $8.3 million, 2021=$9.5 million, 2022=$10.5 million with only $2.5 million in dead cap if released.

Summary: $10 million signing bonus. Base salary guaranteed until final year when only pro rated signing bonus is guaranteed and Vikings can release him and save $8 million in cap space for the 2022 season.

Matt Paradis 2019 PFF Free Agent Profile

paradis

With Gary Kubiak on board as the Vikings Offensive advisor & Assistant Head coach and his history with him in Denver & the zone run blocking scheme Paradis seems like a very logical Free Agent target this off season for the Vikings as he is a great scheme fit. Paradis is one of the, it not the best pass blocking center in the league and is also outstanding as a run blocker. If the Vikings sign Paradis they can move Pat Elflein to guard where he has previous experience when he was in college at Ohio State. A Paradis signing would be a major boost to the Vikings O-line.

P Bradley Pinion (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $1 million)

Bradley Pinion Free Agent Profile

pinion

Vikings fans got on me for bringing back Matt Wile in my earlier mock off season versions. Apparently there is a belief that he is not a good holder. Perhaps that’s true since last year was the first time he had ever done it. So we go with 49ers Free Agent Bradley Pinion here who has more experience as a holder. Although his punting averages aren’t very high Pinion is a good directional punter who is good at pinning teams inside the 20 with 33% of his punts going inside the 20 with only 4% going for touch backs so he is Mr. "Coffin Corner". He’s also only had 1 punt blocked in his career. A 1 yr deal for his solid & reliable play is well worth it.

DT Domata Peko (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $3 million)

Peko was with Zimmer back in Cincy and can play either Nose Tackle or 3 tech as a run plugger. The Vikings finished #15 overall vs the run last season which was a huge drop from #3 overall in 2017. Going with 2 Nose Tackle types in early downs and in short yardage could go a long way towards helping to fix that.

Total Cap Space After Signings = $12.6 million

nfldraft

NFL DRAFT

Trade Rd 1 #18 & Rd 4 #18 to LA Chargers for Rd 1 #28 & Rd 2 #28

Rd 1 #28 Christian Wilkins DT Clemson 6’4 300 lbs

Wilkins is one the best 3 tech DT’s in this draft class and he would be an outstanding replacement for Sheldon Richardson. His quickness inside is ridiculously good and his specialty is rushing the passer from the inside. If he can continue to refine his technique and be more consistently with his bands and use his power when engages he can develop into a better run defender. Best case scenario as a rookie would be a starter. At the very least he should be able to play on passing downs and perhaps leave early downs and short yardage to a run plugger in the rotation until his technique improves in that department. He has Pro Bowl potential though and Andre Patterson should be able to develop him into an every down player fairly quickly.

Rd 2 #18 Irv Smith JR TE Alabama 6’3 243 lbs

Smith JR is probably the 2nd best blocking TE in this draft behind TJ Hockenson and Smith JR is also an athletic TE expected to run in the 4.6’s at the combine. That would definitely make him the fastest TE on the Vikings roster by far and he’s shown solid hands while at Alabama and had a fantastic senior season putting up a 7 TD campaign in which he averaged over 16 yards per reception. He can definitely threaten the seams and he’s a guy you can leave on the field when you’re running the ball as a dual threat as a pass catcher and a run blocker. Smith JR also possesses excellent YAC ability which he showcased in college and that’s something the Vikings currently don’t have in their current TE group. Teams would no longer be able to double Diggs & Thielen with Smith JR at TE. He’d be an outstanding help to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings RBs and could really help take the Vikings offense to the next level.

Rd 2 #28 Riley Ridley WR Georgia 6’2 200 lbs

Ridley is the younger brother of Falcons WR Calvin Ridley who was a 1st rd pick last season. Riley Ridley is very good player too. He’s a very crisp route runner with good speed and size who gets in and out of his breaks with ease and does well to get open consistently. He’s also got an alpha mentality when it comes to contested catches and he has tremendously consistent hands especially in traffic. Body control and awareness of the sidelines are off the charts. He’ll probably run in the high 4.4’s to low 4.5’s and if the Vikings took him he’d play right away as the WR3 and he would immediately help take the double teams off of Diggs & Thielen in the passing game.

Rd 3 #17 Germaine Pratt LB NC State 6’3 245 lbs

Germaine Pratt had a breakout season going from a productive rotational player to a full time starter as a senior in 2018. He has a knack for big plays with 4 interceptions in his college career including a pick 6, 17 sacks & 3 forced fumbles. 10 of the sacks & 2 of the forced fumbles came in his senior season. He’s an ideal sideline to sideline to defender, showing the speed as a pursuit player and he packs a wallop as a tackling machine at 6’3 245 pounds. Pratt also excels in coverage as he is a converted safety with terrific range to cover RBs & TE’s in both man & zone defense. He also shows good technique as a wrap up form tackler and has the sudden burst to rush the passer. He’ll need to work on staying more disciplined in his gaps but Mike Zimmer can definitely groom Pratt as a replacement for Anthony Barr and Pratt has the ability to be a day one starter as a 3 down LBer.

Rd 6 #17 Paddy Fisher LB Northwestern 6’4 245 lbs

With Kentrell Brothers entering the final year of his rookie contract and the Vikings seemingly not thinking much more of him than a Special Teams player (they went with Eric Wilson an OLB to be the primary backup at MLB to Eric Kendricks last yr when Kendricks was hurt) it makes sense for the Vikings to try and upgrade the backup MLB spot with a player they might have more confidence in on defense than Brothers. Fisher can step in and play special teams right away and he has more range than Brothers in coverage will being a more stout run defender and sure tackler than Eric Wilson as a MLB.

Rd 6 #35 Chris Johnson S North Alabama 6’3 200 lbs

Johnson could wind up being a diamond in the rough here late in Rd 6 for the Vikings. He’s 6’3 200 lbs, hits hard, is a play maker in coverage and is expected to run in the 4.4’s. He’s being massively overlooked in the scouting community mainly because he is from a small school and did not face elite competition. However Johnson checks all the physical traits boxes, is a smart player who is fundamentally sound and dominated the weaker competition he faced in college so he’s worth a shot here for sure.

Rd 7 #33 G Damian Prince Maryland 6’3 330 lbs

His best fit in the NFL is at Guard. In college he started out playing tackle his first few years but played guard last season and played it very well. A massive man who can push the pile in the run game he also chips very well and is very difficult for pass rushers to get around inside. With a bit more grooming at Guard he could develop into a future starter.

Rd 7 #38 QB Kyle Shurmur Vanderbilt 6’3 225 lbs

The son of former Vikings OC Pat Shumur the young QB has a strong arm and has the ability to move in the pocket and make plays with his legs. Is a very streaky player. Plays his best in an up tempo offense. Ran a pro style offense in college but played on a run heavy team which affected his ability to complete passes on obvious passing downs. Needs more coaching and more reps but has potential to develop down the road.

Total Cap Space after Rookie Draft Pick Signings = $10.8 million

  • (Rookie signings only count $1.8 million vs the cap under the rookie pool formula per Overthecap website. This is of course before remaining roster cuts after which their full salaries will be counted vs the cap if they make the team and replace a player currently on the roster)

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Post Draft Free Agency

RB Latavius Murray (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $3 million)

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After Murray tests the market & discovers that nobody is going to sign him to be a starting RB and that nobody is going to give him a lucrative multi year contract when he’s pushing 30 years old he’ll come back to the Vikings after they convince him they will be committed to the run and give him 3 million reasons to re-sign. Murray has been a godsend for the Vikings with all of the injuries to Dalvin Cook during his 1st 2 years in the league. The Vikings would have never made it to the NFC Championship game without Murray in 2017 and he once again filled in nicely in 2018 for Cook during a span of games mid season. He’a also a great complement to Cook when both are healthy and Murray can do it all as a 3 down back in pass blocking, catching & rushing. He’s also great in the locker room and the Vikings record is outstanding when he has at least 10 carries in a game. If the Vikings want to be a run first offense Murray would be great to have back for 2019.

CB Marcus Sherels (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $1.1 million)

jea Vikings vs Miami

While he didn’t have a PR TD this season he came awfully close and had a good average when he was in there. The Vikings all time leader in Punt Return TDs still has plenty of juice left for another cheap 1 yr deal.

WR Aldrick Robinson (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $1.1 million)

NFL: Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings

Robinson is not a true #3 WR but he’s a good #4 or #5 WR and a guy who can provide depth in a pinch and a guy who you can bring on the field when you want to stretch the field. He’s a one trick pony but that one trick is pretty darn good. He’s worth a low risk 1 yr contract for his chemistry with Kirk Cousins and deep speed.

Total Cap Space Remaining after Signings= $5.6 million

FINAL Roster Cuts

DE Tashawn Bower (2019 cap savings =$650 k)

LB Kentrell Brothers (2019 cap savings= $720 k)

CB Craig James (2019 cap savings =570 k)

LB Hercules Mata’afa (2019 cap savings =570 k)

FB Johnny Stanton (2019 cap savings =570 k

DE Ade Aruna (2019 cap savings =435 k)

LB Rashard Cliett (2019 cap savings= $495k)

TE Cole Hikutini (2019 cap savings= $570 k)

OT Storm Norton (2019 cap savings= $495k)

WR Jeff Badet (2019 cap savings= $495k)

RB Roc Thomas (2019 cap savings $570 k)

OT Adam Bisnowaty (2019 cap savings= $0)

DT Curtis Cothran (2019 cap savings= $0)

Total Cap Savings after Roster Cuts = $6.2 million

Total Rookie Pool Adjustment after Roster Cuts= -$5.1 million

Total Cap Space Remaining after all roster moves= $6.7 million

**Remaining unused 2019 cap space can be rolled over towards 2020 salary cap**

** Rolling over the $6.7 unused 2019 cap money into 2020 makes the 2020 cap open at $15.7 million**

53 Man Roster

QB (3)= K. Cousins/K. Sloter/K. Shurmur

RB (3)= D. Cook/L. Murray/M. Boone

FB (1)= CJ Ham

WR (6)= S. Diggs/A.Thielen/R. Ridley/A. Robinson/C. Beebe/B. Zylstra

TE (3)=I. Smith JR/D. Morgan/T. Conklin

OL (9)= R. Reiff/P. Elfein/M. Paradis/K. Osemele/B. O’Neill/N. Easton/A. Collins/C. Edison/D. Isidora

DL (9)= E. Griffen/C. Wilkins/L. Joseph/D. Hunter/S. Weatherly/D. Peko/J. Johnson/I. Odenigbo/J. Holmes

LB (6)= B. Gedeon/E. Kendricks/G. Pratt/E. Wilson/P. Fisher/D. Downs

CB (6)= X. Rhodes/T. Waynes/M. Hughes/M. Alexander/H. Hill/M. Sherels

S (4)= H. Smith/A. Harris/J. Kearse/ C. Johnson

STs (3)= D. Bailey/B. Pinion/K. McDermott

Practice Squad

DE Tashawn Bower

DE Ade Aruna

CB Craig James

OG D. Prince

FB Johnny Stanton

CB Jaylen Myrick

RB Roc Thomas

WR Jeff Badet

LB Hercules Mata’afa

OT Adam Bisnowaty

OFFSEASON SUMMARY:

I think what was accomplished in this version of the off season plan was signing just enough Free Agents without sacrificing getting at least one 3rd rd comp pick for 2020. Defensively I wanted to get better vs the run so bringing in Peko to be a rotational player on the interior D-line will help along with spending a 1st rd pick on Christian Wilkins to replace Sheldon Richardson. Wilkins will also bring an elite interior pass rusher to the D-line. Pratt was drafted to replace Barr and long term could be better in coverage and still brings Barr like size and speed to the position. He’ll have a bit of a learning curve but he will still be a day one starter next to Kendricks. Defensively I was able to keep Griffen by restructuting his contract, re-sign Harris & keep the entire CB group together and getting a healthy Mike Hughes back will help the entire defense.

Moving to the offense the O-line is fixed by the additions of Free Agent signee Matt Paradis who takes over at Center and Kelechi Osemele who was acquired via trade as the new RG. I’ve also added depth by re-signing Nick Easton (who could challenge Elflein for the LG spot and/or backup all 3 interior spots). These moves allowed me to keep Reiff & O’Neill in their current positions at Left & Right Tackle respectively. 2nd Rd rookie Riley Ridley is the quality WR3 the team needs and he will be a huge boost to the passing game as he will eliminate the double coverage on Diggs & Thielen and will be a major upgrade over Treadwell at WR in terms of speed, route running & hands. Rookie 2nd rd Tight End Irv Smith JR will bring a major boost in speed and athleticism to the position in the passing game not to mention being a major asset as a run blocker. The Vikings can go with Smith JR & Morgan when they want to use 2 TE sets to run the ball and also use play action effectively with those 2 in the game. RB Latavius Murray returns to form a 1-2 punch with Dalvin Cook in the backfield and I also re-signed WR Aldrick Robinson for WR depth and deep speed as a #4 WR.

Special Teams gets a boost with the addition of Punter Bradley Pinion who has prior experience as a holder which should help Kicker Dan Bailey who I re-signed.

Offense= Vastly Improved

Special Teams= Improved

Defense=Maintained to Improved

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.