Vikings Off Season Plan v8.0

So far, my plans have had definite parts that were not well received. Here is a brief summary of the main disagreements ...

Drafting a QB in the 1st

Trading up for a QB in the 1st

Too many restructures

Cousins extended

Not keeping Harris

Trading Diggs

... it is very difficult to come up with a plan that can satisfy everybody.

I will say that when the actual plan happens there could be some things I have right but anyone really could predict these things.

The reality is that I do not do a plan of what I think they will do (it’s rare). I do plans of what I would do ...

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Starting Cap pace = $20,712,236

Restructure Danielle Hunter 4 mil; Cap space = $23,712,236

This is a modest restructure that creates 3 mil in cap space in 2020 but adds 1 mil in cap space to 2021 thru 2023.

After 2021, extend Hunter with a 2 yr 64 mil deal which includes a 22.5 mil signing bonus

and roster bonuses of 2 mil in 2023, 8.5 mil in 2023, and 6.5 mil in 2025.

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Restructure Anthony Barr 2 mil; Cap space = $25,212,236

This is a modest restructure that creates 1.5 mil in cap space in 2020 but adds 500K in cap space to 2021 thru 2023.

I think the earliest the team would consider moving him would be 2022.

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Restructure Eric Kendricks 2 mil; Cap space = $26,696,611

This is a modest restructure that creates about 1.5 mil in cap space in 2020 but adds 500K mil in cap space to 2021 thru 2023.

I think the earliest the team would consider moving him would be 2022.

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Extend Sendejo 2 yr 4.5 mil; Cap space = $25,461,611

This gives him a modest raise over last year’s 1.3 mil.

Maybe they include incentives based on playing time?

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Extend Bailey 3 yr 8.5 mil; Cap space = $22,946,611

No comment.

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Extend Colquitt 3 yr 8.25 mil; Cap space = $20,946,611

No comment.

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Extend Ham 3 yr 6 mil; Cap space = $19,956,611

Obviously, Ham is a key part of the offense and this is similar to Andy Janovich.

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Give Wilson RFA tender 1 yr 2.144 mil; Cap space = $18,322,611

Wilson plays a key part in the linebacker group too.

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Extend Mannion 1 yr 1.25 mil; Cap space = $17,582,611

Meh. Bringing back Mannion is only for continuity and this deal includes 250K guaranteed which makes cutting him painless.

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Redo Harrison Smith’s deal to a 4 yr 40 mil; Cap space = $19,582,611

He gets an 8 mil signing bonus and the first two years (21 mil) would be guaranteed.

This cap hits would be 8.75, 10.25, 11, and 12 mil.

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Sign Joe Haeg OT/OG 3 yr 9 mil; Cap space = $18,092,611

The Vikings want to bring back Hill and Jones but I would pass.

Haeg brings experience at both tackle and guard positions and is an excellent fit in the ZBS.

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Sign Darqueze Dennard CB 3 yr 21 mil; Cap space = $13,602,611

Dennard played well in the slot last year.

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Sign Michael Pierce DT 3 yr 15 mil; Cap space = $10,612,611

Pierce is an excellent run stuffer and it is something the Vikings need.

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Extend Griffen 3 yr 27 mil; Cap space = $6,122,611

This pays him fairly well although not the 11 mil that Justin Houston received.

But they can include incentives that pay 1 mil or more for goals reached. Win win.

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Harris, Waynes, Alexander, Kearse, Weatherly, Hill, Jones, Dozier, Sherels, Abdullah, Brothers, & Treadwell can test the market. Harris and Waynes may get the Vikings two 3rd round compensatory picks since both could get over 10 mil in free agency. Dennard will cancel out any comp pick for Alexander. Kearse could get a decent pay day which would be canceled out by the Pierce signing although Kearse wont get that much. Hill could get paid similar to Haeg although maybe slightly less but they should cancel out too.

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Now the final most controversial move would be this ...

Trade Diggs to Patriots for #23 and #100; Cap space = $11,112,611

This is crazy for sure. But there has to be something to the “discontent” and vague social media postings. It could be nothing but if it is not, then the trade value reduces. This gets the Vikings valuable draft picks (which my bust) and frees up 15 mil in cap space in 2021 & 2022 and 12 mil in 2023.

The 11 mil remaining could be used on a cheap veteran receiver who does not get paid in free agency due to the incredibly stacked draft at the receiver position. With that in mind I think signing Nelson Agholor to a one year 2 mil prove it type deal could be sneaky good if he is healthy. He has a lot to prove and those are the kind of free agent signings you want. Also, another safety like Deon Bush could be brought in for cheap too.

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Here is a brief glimpse at the cap space in remaining years ...

2020 $11,112,611

2021 $39,583,919

2022 $69,276,710

2023 $119,875,976

2024 $185,005,976

... in 2021 you probably would see Reiff, Kline, and Stephen all being released which changes the cap space to ...

2021 $60,083,919

2022 $69,276,710

2023 $119,875,976

2024 $185,005,976

.. that leaves plenty for extensions for Cousins, Cook?, O’Neill, Odenigobo, Holton Hill, and maybe some others.

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Now that I have totally screwed up this plan let’s head to the draft with these picks ...

Draft picks - 23*, 25, 57, 89, 100*, 105, 132, 205, 219, 239, 249, 253

https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/sharedraft.php?d=nhtppp

Drafttek big board & User-Voted Team Needs

TRADES

DENVER BRONCOS

SENT: ROUND: 3 PICK: 25

RECEIVED: ROUND: 3 PICK: 31, ROUND: 5 PICK: 32

MIAMI DOLPHINS

SENT: FUTURE ROUND 5 PICK

RECEIVED: ROUND: 6 PICK: 6, ROUND: 7 PICK: 13

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

SENT: ROUND: 6 PICK: 26, ROUND: 7 PICK: 35

RECEIVED: ROUND: 6 PICK: 15

23: R1P23 WR TEE HIGGINS CLEMSON

6035; 216; 34 1/8 ARM; 9 1/4 HAND

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

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25: R1P25 S GRANT DELPIT LSU

6024; 213; 30 3/8 ARM; 9 1/8 HAND

Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

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58: R2P26 OT ISAIAH WILSON GEORGIA

6064; 350; 35 1/2 ARM; 10 1/4 HAND; 5.32 (40); 1.79 (10); 26 BP; 29.0 VJ; 9’2” BJ

Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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95: R3P31 DL RAEKWON DAVIS ALABAMA

6061; 311; 33 7/8 ARM; 11 HAND; 5.12 (40); 1.78; 1.78 (10); 24 BP; 28 VJ; 9’3” BJ

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

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100: R3P36 TE ALBERT OKWUEGBUNAM MISSOURI

6054; 258; 34 1/8 ARM; 10 1/4 HAND; 4.49 (40); 1.58 (10)

Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

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105: R3P41 RB CAM AKERS FLORIDA STATE

5103; 217; 30 5/8 ARM; 9 HAND; 4.47 (40); 1.52 (10); 20 BP; 35.5 VJ; 10’2” BJ

Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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132: R4P26 CB NOAH IGBINOGHENE AUBURN

5103; 198; 31 3/4 ARM; 9 3/8 HAND; 4.48 (40); 1.61 (10); 15 BP; 37 VJ; 10’8” BJ

Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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178: R5P32 WR BRYAN EDWARDS SOUTH CAROLINA

6026 212; 32 1/4 ARM; 9 1/2 HAND

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

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185: R6P6 S TANNER MUSE CLEMSON

6020; 227; 31 1/2 ARM; 9 HAND; 4.41 (40); 1.51 (10); 20 BP; 34.5 VJ; 10’4” BJ

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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194: R6P15 WR LYNN BOWDEN JR. KENTUCKY

5105; 204; 30 7/8 ARM; 9 3/4 HAND

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

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219: R7P5 LB AZUR KAMARA KANSAS

6032; 245; 35 1/4 ARM; 10 HAND; 4.59 (40); 1.57 (10); 13 BP; 28 VJ; 10’1” BJ

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

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227: R7P13 G CORDEL IWUAGWU TCU

6027; 309; 33 3/4 ARM; 9 5/8 HAND; 5.22 (40); 1.80 (10); 25 BP; 27.0 VJ; 7’10” BJ

Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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239: R7P25 CB JAVELIN GUIDRY UTAH

5090; 191; 31 1/4 ARM; 9 HAND; 4.29 (40); 1.51 (10); 21 BP

Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

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253: R7P39 DL BRAVVION ROY BAYLOR

6011; 332; 30 1/8 ARM

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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This should go in the crazy bin right?

Higgins and Delpit in the first? Yes. I like it in this plan. Higgins is really good at contested catches. Delput is a stud and the #1 safety in this draft to me.

Wilson in the 2nd may be strange especially if he is going to play right tackle. But some scouts believe he could be a left tackle. Either way, he is massive and solidly put together. Not a tub of goo.

Adding Davis to the defensive line brings more size and there really should be no way he is available at the end of the third round.

The fastest tight end and a running back with the other two third round picks is more proof that the elevator is not going to the top floor right? But I am looking at 2021. Cook may want too much money and Rudolph will be a year older.

I finally add a corner in this draft which should get me fired on the spot no? I think this corner is good and Zimmer should be able to coach him up.

Edwards is a receiver that does not get a lot of love but has been very steady and solid at South Carolina.

Muse is one of my favorites and could be used at linebacker with his speed and coverage ability. At the very least he will be good for special teams.

Bowden is another jack of all trades type player that played QB last year when they need him to even though it jeopardized his development at receiver.

Kamara played some defensive end at Kansas and may bulk up.

Iwuagwu is getting some love as a sleeper and the Vikings need to have some linemen on the practice squad.

Guidry brings speed and will at least be a gunner on special teams.

Roy is a huge nose tackle that one day might take over for Pierce.

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An alternate mock without trading Diggs ...

https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/sharedraft.php?d=vyuyfi

TRADES

LA RAMS

SENT: ROUND: 3 PICK: 25, ROUND: 7 PICK: 5

RECEIVED: ROUND: 3 PICK: 20

MIAMI DOLPHINS

SENT: FUTURE ROUND 4 PICK

RECEIVED: ROUND: 5 PICK: 8, ROUND: 6 PICK: 6

25: R1P25 CB KRISTIAN FULTON LSU

58: R2P26 WR DENZEL MIMS BAYLOR

84: R3P20 QB JALEN HURTS OKLAHOMA

105: R3P41 DL RAEKWON DAVIS ALABAMA

132: R4P26 S BRANDON JONES TEXAS

154: R5P8 OT LUCAS NIANG TCU

185: R6P6 S TANNER MUSE CLEMSON

205: R6P26 LB AZUR KAMARA KANSAS

239: R7P25 G CORDEL IWUAGWU TCU

249: R7P35 CB L’JARIUS SNEED LOUISIANA TECH

253: R7P39 RB RAYMOND CALAIS UL LAFAYETTE

Well, I hope everyone is safe and are taking the proper precautions.