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The combine starts next week from Tuesday, Feb. 26 thru Monday, March 3. There are several sites that list when each position group arrives like this one.
Luckily for most Vikings fans the offensive line group starts the proceedings along with special teamers and dudes that put their foot on the ball. Since offensive line is the position group where the majority of Vikings fans feel needs the most urgent upgrades then it will likely be watched closely by those that frequent a site like this one.
The Pre-Combine plan is going to be a bit different as usual. I get a lot of feedback when I do these and I like to read other plans to see what those folks think should be done.
So let’s play a little game shall we.
The Vikings start off with $7,252,515 in cap space according to Over the Cap.
They have these free agents as described here ...
Unrestricted Free Agents
LB Anthony Barr
DT Sheldon Richardson
RB Latavius Murray
DT Tom Johnson
OG Nick Easton
OG Tom Compton
WR Aldrick Robinson
CB Marcus Sherels
QB Trevor Siemian
SS George Iloka
OC Brett Jones
RB Ameer Abdullah
PK Dan Bailey
Restricted Free Agents
FS Anthony Harris
OT Rashod Hill
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
FB C.J. Ham
OT Cedrick Lang
TE Josiah Price
P Matt Wile
They also will need enough money to sign the drafted players which is actually about 2.6 mil because the drafted players that make the team will replace some other players already counting against the cap. The details are long and boring but suffice it to say that is fairly close and it could change if they somehow get an extra first round pick for example.
There is not much cap space available to bring back these free agents especially Barr & Richardson. So what to do? What would you do?
First let’s try to create cap space. I’ll start with the players who they could approach about a restructure of some sort and give options.
I will abbreviate signing bonus to SB and dead money to DM. One thing to keep in mind is the cap space in 2020 which is $31,368,487. All moves should be made with an eye towards 2020.
Riley Reiff - $9,400,000 salary + $100,000 workout bonus
Option A - Trade or Release - Saved: $5,100,000
Option B - Restructure - convert 3 mil to a SB - Saved: $2,000,000
(DM last 2 years increase 1 mil)
Option C - Restructure - convert 4.5 mil to a SB - Saved: $3,000,000
(DM last 2 years increase 1.5 mil)
Option D - Restructure - convert 6 mil to a SB - Saved: $4,000,000
(DM last 2 years increase 2 mil)
Everson Griffen - $10,900,000 salary + $500,000 roster bonus + $100,000 workout bonus
Option A - Trade or Release - Saved: $10,543,750
Option B - Restructure - convert 4 mil to a SB - Saved: $3,000,000
(DM last 3 years increase 1 mil)
Option C - Restructure - convert 5 mil to a SB - Saved: $3,750,000
(DM last 3 years increase 1.25 mil)
Option D - Restructure - convert 6 mil to a SB - Saved: $4,500,000
(DM last 3 years increase 1.5 mil)
Linval Joseph - $8,900,000 salary + $500,000 roster bonus + $100,000 workout bonus
Option A - Trade or Release - Saved: $7,100,000 (never will happen so ignore)
Option B - Restructure - convert 4 mil to a SB - Saved: $3,000,000
(DM last 3 years increase 1 mil)
Option C - Restructure - convert 5 mil to a SB - Saved: $3,750,000
(DM last 3 years increase 1.25 mil)
Option D - Restructure - convert 6 mil to a SB - Saved: $4,500,000
(DM last 3 years increase 1.5 mil)
Mike Remmers - $5,650,000 salary + $100,000 workout bonus
Option A - Trade or Release - Saved: $4,550,000
Option B - Restructure - convert 3 mil to a SB - Saved: $2,000,000
(DM last 2 seasons increase 1 mil)
Option C - Restructure - convert 3.75 mil to a SB - Saved: $2,500,000
(DM last 2 seasons increase 1.25 mil)
Option D - Restructure - convert 4.5 mil to a SB - Saved: $3,000,000
(DM last 2 seasons increase 1.5 mil)
If you choose Option A (except for Joseph) for all these restructures you create 20.193 mil in cap space and increase the 2020 cap space by 33.8 mil.
If you choose Option B for all these restructures you create 10 mil in cap space and decrease the 2020 cap space by 4 mil.
If you choose Option C for all these restructures you create 13 mil in cap space and decrease the 2020 cap space by 5.25 mil.
If you choose Option D for all these restructures you create 16 mil in cap space and decrease the 2020 cap space by 7.5 mil.
Obviously, there could be different options in terms of the restructure because it could be that some might come with a cut in pay. But I cannot pretend to project that here. That will come from the powers that be.
I do not see any other candidates for restructure although they could convert 5 mil of Hunter’s salary to a signing bonus which would save 4 mil in cap space and increase the dead money cap hit in last 4 years by 1 mil.
Maybe they consider Rhodes and Smith for this kind of move but it is not something they want to get in the practice of doing. I will leave these moves out of this game.
Now we come to extensions or trades. Extensions will be subjective to the value you place on the player.
Trae Waynes
Option A - Trade - Saved: $9,069,000
Option B - Extend - 5 year 45 mil with a 5 mil SB with cap hits of 10.069, 9.1, 9.1, 9.1, 9.1, & 8.1 mil. Increases 2019 cap hit by 1 mil.
Option C - Extend - 5 year 50 mil with a 5 mil SB with cap hits of 10.069, 9.1, 10.1, 10.1, 10.1, & 10.1 mil. Increases 2019 cap hit by 1 mil.
Option D - Extend - 5 year 55 mil with a 5 mil SB with cap hits of 10.069, 9.1, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, & 12.1 mil. Increases 2019 cap hit by 1 mil.
Option E - Extend - 5 year 60 mil with a 5 mil SB with cap hits of 10.069, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1, 13.1, & 13.1 mil. Increases 2019 cap hit by 1 mil.
Option F - Extend - 5 year 65 mil with a 5 mil SB with cap hits of 10.069, 11.1, 12.1, 13.1, 14.1, & 14.1 mil. Increases 2019 cap hit by 1 mil.
Kyle Rudolph
Option A - Trade or Release - Saved: $7,625,000
Option B - Redo - 4 year 24 mil with a 4 mil SB with cap hits of 4.1, 6.1, 7.1, & 7.1 mil.
Decreases 2019 cap hit by 3.525 mil.
Option C - Redo - 4 year 20 mil with a 4 mil SB with cap hits of 3.1, 6.1, 7.1, & 7.1 mil.
Decreases 2019 cap hit by 4.525 mil.
Option D - Redo - 3 year 21 mil with a 6 mil SB with cap hits of 4.1, 8.1, & 9.1 mil.
Decreases 2019 cap hit by 3.525 mil.
Option E - Redo - 3 year 18 mil with a 6 mil SB with cap hits of 3.1, 7.1, & 8.1 mil.
Decreases 2019 cap hit by 4.525 mil.
Anthony Barr
Option A - Extend - 5 year 42.5 mil with a 7.5 mil SB with cap hits of 4.1, 9.1, 9.6, 9.6, & 10.6 mil. Similar to Nigel Bradham.
Option B - Extend - 5 year 45 mil with a 8 mil SB with cap hits of 4.1, 10.1, 10.1, 10.1, & 11.1 mil. Similar to Mark Barron.
Option C - Extend - 5 year 50 mil with a 9 mil SB with cap hits of 4.1, 11.1, 11.1, 12.1, & 12.1 mil. Similar to Lavonte David.
Option D - Extend - 5 year 55 mil with a 10 mil SB with cap hits of 5.1, 11.1, 12.1, 13.1, & 14.1 mil. Similar to Telvin Smith.
Option E - Extend - 5 year 60 mil with a 5 mil SB with cap hits of 6.1, 12.1, 13.1, 14.1, & 15.1 mil. Similar to Jamie Collins.
Sheldon Richardson
Option A - Extend - 4 year 40 mil with a 10 mil SB with cap hits of 4.1, 11.1, 12.1, & 13.1 mil. Similar to Star Lotulelei.
Option B - Extend - 4 year 44 mil with a 10 mil SB with cap hits of 5.1, 12.1, 13.1, & 14.1 mil. Similar to Michael Brockers.
Option C - Extend - 4 year 48 mil with a 12 mil SB with cap hits of 4.1, 14.1, 14.1, & 16.1 mil. Similar to Timmy Jernigan.
Option D - Extend - 4 year 52 mil with a 16 mil SB with cap hits of 5.1, 15.1, 15.1, & 17.1 mil. Similar to Linval Joseph.
If you choose Option C for Waynes, Option B for everyone else you use 4.575 mil in cap space and decrease the 2020 cap space by 37.4 mil which puts you in the red. Of course the structure could be different.
Again, these extensions amounts are just guesses and will be different if they are given at all.
Any restructures done this year are likely to result in a release next year because that is what it looks like especially if you extend Barr, Richardson, Waynes, and Rudolph with any contracts close to being fair value.
We can play the game without a care for 2020 but that would be a little foolish.
Anyway, I am sure everyone has their own ideas and could come up with different scenarios than the one listed.
Here is my latest using the overthecap calculator
AVAILABLE CAP SPACE - $7,252,515
DEPARTURES
Trade Griffen to Colts for the #27 pick in the 4th - Saved: $10,543,750
Trade Waynes to Bills for the #10 pick in the 3rd - Saved: $9,069,000
Trade Treadwell to the Raiders for the #4 pick in the 7th - Saved: $1,804,770
Release Remmers - Saved: $4,550,000
Release Sendejo - Saved: $5,500,000
IN HOUSE FREE AGENTS
Restructure Reiff - Saved: $2,000,000 (Option B from above)
Restructure Joseph - Saved: $4,500,000 (Option D from above)
Extend 2nd round RFA tender to Anthony Harris - $3,110,000
Extend ERFA tender to CJ Ham - $645,000
Extend ERFA tender to Matt Wile - $570,000
Extend Easton with a 2 year 5 mil deal with a 500K SB with cap hits of 2 & 3 mil
Redo Rudolph with a 3 year 18 mil deal with a 3 mil SB with cap hits of 5.1, 6.1, & 7.1 mil (saves 2 mil in cap space)
REMAINING CAP SPACE - $40,895,035
FREE AGENTS
Brock Osweiler (QB) - 2 year 4 mil deal with a 500K roster bonus with cap hits of 2 & 2 mil
Mike Davis (RB) - 3 year 10 mil deal with a 3 mil SB with cap hits of 2.1, 4.1, & 4.1 mil
Breshad Perriman (WR) - 2 year 4 mil deal with a 500K roster bonus with cap hits of 2 & 2 mil
Matt Paradis (C) - 3 year 18 mil deal with a 3 mil SB with cap hits of 3.1, 6.1, & 6.1 mil
David Irving (DL) - 3 year 18 mil deal with a 1.5 mil SB with cap hits of 5.1, 6.1, & 7.1 mil
K.J. Wright (LB) - 4 year 32 mil deal with a 4 mil SB with cap hits of 5.1, 9.1, 9.1, & 9.1 mil
Orlando Scandrick (CB) - 2 year 5 mil deal with a 500K SB with cap hits of 2.5 & 2.5 mil
REMAINING CAP SPACE - $16,995,035
I think they bring back Easton but probably only guarantee the 500K in case they cut him.
Osweiler is someone that most wont want but he actually did OK last year. I would only guarantee his roster bonus of 500K as well.
Davis is a back that I think would fit right in as the 2nd back and provide some power.
Perriman has not had a good start to his career but came on at the end of last year with the Browns. At 6’2” 214 with a 4.26 forty he would definitely provide a deep threat. It could be he is really ready to blossom.
Paradis is an obvious signing due to the fact he was in Denver with Kubiak and Dennison. Makes too much sense. It allows Elflein to slide to right guard and see if he can take that spot.
David Irving has already been suspended twice and his next suspension would be for an entire year. From what I have read he was suspended the last time for missing the test. Not for testing positive which could be interpreted many ways. He is really good at getting sacks though. All I would guarantee is the signing bonus and I probably would include incentives in the deal too. It is short enough where he could get another contract if he does well and does not get suspended again. A bit of a risk but 6’7” 290 tackles that can rush the passer are hard to find.
KJ Wright missed games for the first time last year but has always been good in coverage. I like that about his game most of all.
Scandrick is a veteran for insurance.
Heading to the draft the Vikings would have a starting offensive line ...
LT - Reiff, LG - Easton, Collins
OC - Paradis, Edison, RG - Elflein, Isidora
RT - O’Neill, Norton
Replacements were found for Barr, Richardson, Murray, and Treadwell. Another corner was added since the replacement for Waynes is already on the roster.
The draft picks are 1.18, 2.18, 3.10, 3.17, 4.18, 4.33, 6.17, 6.36, 7.4, 7.33, & 7.36
I am using the fanspeak simulator for this draft
NFL Big Board - Aggregate : Random big board option for the computer : Classic difficulty level : Fanspeak team needs
https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/sharedraft.php?d=oyghro
18: R1P18 OT ANDRE DILLARD WASHINGTON STATE 6’5” 306
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https://www.nfl.com/prospects/andre-dillard?id=32194449-4c18-6167-8a82-fd2a79031894
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/02/11/2019-nfl-draft-player-profile-andre-dillard/
50: R2P18 G CHRIS LINDSTROM BOSTON COLLEGE 6’4” 310
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https://www.nfl.com/prospects/chris-lindstrom?id=32194c49-4e45-1080-da0b-72312551b1b2
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/02/05/2019-nfl-draft-player-profile-chris-lindstrom/
74: R3P10 G MICHAEL DEITER WISCONSIN 6’6” 310
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https://www.nfl.com/prospects/michael-deiter?id=32194445-4913-7530-3932-9da3d6c8f088
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2018/12/24/2019-nfl-draft-player-profile-michael-deiter/
81: R3P17 S AMANI HOOKER IOWA 5’11” 210
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https://www.nfl.com/prospects/amani-hooker?id=3219484f-4f28-9885-74ca-b4eda13809f8
120: R4P18 WR TERRY MCLAURIN OHIO STATE 6’1” 205
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https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/02/04/2019-nfl-draft-player-profile-terry-mclaurin
https://steelersdepot.com/2019/02/2019-nfl-draft-player-profiles-ohio-state-wr-terry-mclaurin/
135: R4P33 CB ISAIAH JOHNSON HOUSTON 6’2 1/4” 203
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https://www.nfl.com/prospects/isaiah-johnson?id=32194a4f-4800-0016-2d84-d0c7257ca660
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2018/12/08/2019-nfl-draft-player-profile-isaiah-johnson/
190: R6P17 DL TRYSTEN HILL UCF 6’2” 315
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https://www.nfl.com/prospects/trysten-hill?id=32194849-4c00-0003-9608-9c2ce3128b7b
209: R6P36 DL MAXX CROSBY EASTERN MICHIGAN 6’5” 265
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218: R7P4 TE KAHALE WARRING SDSU 6’5” 250
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https://www.nfl.com/prospects/kahale-warring?id=32195741-5275-2700-ebaf-ccabda046f86
247: R7P33 S EVAN WORTHINGTON COLORADO 6’2” 205
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https://www.nfl.com/prospects/evan-worthington?id=3219574f-5261-9673-2d8a-fc39f9875b5a
250: R7P36 K MATT GAY UTAH 6’0” 232
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https://www.nfl.com/prospects/matt-gay?id=32194741-5930-6452-6cb7-6eadc0ce3ec7
With the free agents and draft the Vikings will have lots of options on the offensive line.
Reiff could be let go or traded but it is doubtful after a restructure. They could though. At the very least it is probably the last season. Easton might not make the team and it would only cost 500K to find out.
The lineup would be ...
LT - Reiff, Dillard
LG - Easton, Dieter,
OC - Paradis, Edison
RG - Elflein, Lindstrom, Isidora,
RT - O’Neill, Collins, Norton
An alternate mock
NFL Big Board - Aggregate : Multiple big board option for the computer : Classic difficulty level : Fanspeak team needs
https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/sharedraft.php?d=rfekun
TRADES
HOUSTON TEXANS
SENT: ROUND: 1 PICK: 18 & ROUND: 6 PICK: 36
RECEIVED: ROUND: 1 PICK: 23 & ROUND: 3 PICK: 22
ATLANTA FALCONS
SENT: ROUND: 4 PICK: 18 & ROUND: 7 PICK: 36
RECEIVED: ROUND: 4 PICK: 15
23: R1P23 OT DALTON RISNER KANSAS STATE
50: R2P18 TE IRVIN SMITH ALABAMA
74: R3P10 DL CHARLES OMENIHU TEXAS
81: R3P17 S AMANI HOOKER IOWA
86: R3P22 WR ANDY ISABELLA UMASS
117: R4P15 C CONNOR MCGOVERN PENN STATE
135: R4P33 CB IMAN MARSHALL USC
190: R6P17 EDGE JUSTIN HOLLINS OREGON
196: R6P23 G ALEX BARS NOTRE DAME
247: R7P33 K MATT GAY UTAH
Well there you go. Hopefully it will inspire some of you to come up with some of your own ideas.