FanPost

An Actual Cap Number + Offseason Scenario

Well, it only took half a year, but we know have a Salary Cap number for 2021. And luckily it's not $176 million. That was always seen as too low of a number and would cripple teams if it were set at that. With that said, what was the number revealed to be?

$180 Million.

Fuck. That is just as disappointing.

But, we now have a number to go off of that isn't just speculation. I mean, it is just a single report that says this, but I would take this more seriously than what was thrown around back at the start of the season. Now, as I've done quite a few times, I will go over how the Vikings can get out of the hell they've put themselves in.

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A thing that I've looked over the past few times I've done this, mainly because I was waiting for the official number to come out.

Roll-Over Cap Space: $9,161,381

2021 Cap Space: -$16,628,937

After Roll-Over Cap is Added: -$7,467,556

Cutting our over spending by half is a great start, and didn't require cutting anyone. Great.

2021 Cap Space: -$7,467,556

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Trade Kirk Cousins to Indianapolis Colts

MIN Sends: Kirk Cousins, 2021 3rd Rounder (#90 (Ravens)), 2021 3rd Rounder (#102 (Compensatory)), 2021 4th Rounder (#14 of the Round (Vikings))

IND Sends: 2021 1st Rounder (#21)

Now that Rivers is retiring, there is an opening on a team that is far more ready to go to a championship, and is not in a position to draft one of the better QB's. This trade would give them a QB who puts up great stats on an incredibly cheap contract (They'd only pay $11 Million for the 1st year) and will probably extend or restructure his deal, and would get two 3rd's as well.

Now if you've read the other posts I've done, you might wonder why I'm getting a 1st instead of the 2nd that I would have the 49ers give. The Niners pick is 9 selections higher than the Colts. That's legitimately the only reason. Going from 21st to 12th is 87 points (Rich Hill Draft Value Chart) or the #61 overall pick. The Niners trade, if trying to have an equal trade, should have an additional 4th going to us.

However, my goal is to get this team ready for 2022. As long as Kirk is on this team, we will not win a championship. The man has no pocket awareness, he hangs onto the ball too long, and only shows up when the level of competition is average or less. He has that statistic against winning teams for a reason, and that's because when the chips are down and he needs to drive the team down the field, he can't do it.

Look no further than the Titans, Seahawks, and Jaguar games. In each of those games he had a chance to lead the team down and score, all of which needed just a field goal to win. He failed to lead the team down in each game, and had to rely on the defense to win the Jags game. I will give him the Panthers game.

I believe the best evaluation of an offense is how well it can come from behind. If you have to rely on your defense to win you every game, you stand no chance in the modern NFL. The games where your offense is going to have to win you the game are going to be against good teams and playoff teams.

We have the beginnings of a good defense, with Dantlzer playing very well, Gladney being decent, Kendricks and Wilson being a great Duo at LB and Smith anchoring the whole of the defense, but we still have problems that need to be addressed (Hint; The one area of the defense that was not addressed.). But even when we have a good defense in, at the earliest, two years, we will still have an offense that will not win us games against good teams.

No matter what we do for the O-Line, Kirk is not going to change how he plays. He's played the same way ever since he became a starter in Washington, where he had an actual O-Line, and did about as well, except he played worse the better the O-Line got. If he were a rookie going into his 3rd or 4th year, he might be able to change how he played with better protection. Kirk is going into his 10th season as a pro, his 7th as a starter. He's an old dog who won't learn new tricks.

What will probably happen is he'll be both restructured and extended to 2024, and will be on the team until 2023, at least. He is in the same league as Matt Stafford, Jared Goff, and Jimmy Garoppolo. Good QB's who can't perform under pressure. And when he does finally leave, and we have nothing to show for it other than the receipt for his contract, I hope that becomes apparent to everyone.

My goal in trading him is to gain the cap space for 2021 (mainly 2022;$35-$45 Million in savings), gain a 1st, and use the available space to fill in the holes of the team. I hope that the Vikings are able to draft a QB in the 1st (regardless if we trade Kirk or not), and are able to use his cheap rookie deal to fill in the rest of the roster.

Consider the above, my final word on Kirk Cousins. He has been here for three years, and I can guarantee you, he will not get better. When he finally leaves, that will be the day the Vikings can start trying to be a championship team, because they won't be one with him on the team. I've explained my opinion on this multiple times, and I've grown tired of it. Others might accept mediocrity, but I don't, and Kirk is literally living mediocrity, being only 1 game over .500, or dead even at .500 if you count playoff games. He will not win a championship, much less get to one. His ceiling is the Divisional round, and not a step further.

Cap Savings: $11 Million

2021 Cap Space: $3,532,444

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Restructure Harrison Smith

He is the anchor of this team's secondary, while Kendricks is the anchor of the front 7. He's set to make $10.250 Million, but with no guarantees. His new contract will be a 2yr extension and a restructure. After pen gets put to paper, it'll be a 3 yr, $22 Million, with $15 Million in guarantees. We'd be able to cut him in the final year and save $8 Million

2021: $6,250,000 | 2022: $7,750,000 | 2023: $9,000,000

Cap Savings: $4 Million

2021 Cap Space: $7,532,444

*Editor's Note: The guaranteed number listed is the signing bonus given at the start of the contract. This applies to all contracts that have a Guaranteed dollar amount.

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Restructure Anthony Barr

I think he's the 3rd best Lb on the team, behind Kendricks and Wilson. But, with him, we have a pretty good LB corps that are all under 30. I'd restructure his deal and add a year at the end. After pen gets put to paper, it'll be a 4yr, $48 Million contract, with 33 Million Guaranteed. We'd be able to cut him in 2024 and save $16 million, or extend/restructure him if he plays well.

2021: $8,000,000 | 2022: $9,000,000 | 2023: $10,000,000 | 2024: $21,000,000

Cap Savings: $7,062,500

2021 Cap Space: $14,594,944

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Resign Eric Wilson

Where Kendricks is a great dual threat LB, and Barr is a great tackling and pass-rushing LB, Wilson is a great coverage LB, and with all three being used, our LB Corps will be one of the best in the league. He'll be 27 next year, the youngest of our corps. I'd give him a 3yr deal, worth $21 Million, with $15 Million. We'd be able to cut him in the final year and save $6 Million.

2021: $5,500,000 | 2022: $6,500,000 | 2023: $9,000,000

2021 Cap Space: $9,094,944

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Trade Danielle Hunter to New York Jets

MIN Sends: Danielle Hunter

NYJ Sends: 2021 1st Rounder (#23), 2021 2nd Rounder (#34), 2022 2nd Rounder

If the reports are true, send him away. I like Hunter. Last year, he was our best player, but he signed a contract, and we have him for another three years. If he refuses to play, trade him for minimum what was posted above* or keep him on the bench for three years and see how many teams clamber for his services.

*(Note: If it weren't the Jets I'd have gone for a 1st in 2022, but I feel like that pick will be too high and they won't give it away, so I'll take those picks in a heartbeat.)

Cap Savings: $5,750,000

2021 Cap Space: $14,844,944

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Cut Riley Reiff

Reiff has played well this year, but is set to make $14 million next year, and sine he signed the contract, has only played up to it this year. Will all of the picks we've garnered so far, and with a guy who (fingers-crossed) can translate his success at guard to LT, and is cheap for the next three years, I'd say getting rid of Reiff is a somewhat safe bet. Without all these trades and picks, however, I'd definitely keep him around. In my other posts where I do this exact thing, I've detailed the new contract that I would give, but with these circumstances, he won't be getting one.

Cap Savings: $11,750,000

2021 Cap Space: $26,594,944

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Cut Kyle Rudolph (Post-June 1st designation)

Conklin played really well in relief of Rudolph, and Irv Smith is a great talent. By using the designation, we get an additional $2.9 Million, but we won't be able to actually use the money until June 2nd, presumably to sign our draft picks.

Cap Savings: $8 Million (June 2nd)

2021 Cap Space: $24,594,944 (+$8 Million June 2nd)

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Cut Shamar Stephen

An ineffective rotational guy shouldn't be getting the money that he is.

Cap Savings: $3,750,000

2021 Cap Space: $30,344,944 (+$8 Million)

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Extend Brian O'Neil

The best O-Line talent that we have drafted so far, 2021 will be the final year of his rookie deal, and is a quintessential piece of our O-Line. An extension now is imperative. His 2021 Cap hit would stay the same. the extension will be a 5yr, $55 Million contract, with $37 Million Guaranteed. We'd be able to cut him and save $18 million in 2026.

2021: $2,704,207 | 2022: $6,500,000 | 2023: $7,500,000 | 2024: $8,500,000 | 2025: $10,500,000 | 2026: $22,000,000

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Extend Tyler Conklin

Going into contract year, and should be cheap if we do it now. 3yr, $12 Million, $7 Million Guaranteed. 2021 Cap hit stays the same. We'd be able to cut him in 2024 and save $5 Million.

2021: $990,258 | 2022: $2,000,000 | 2023: $3,000,000 | 2024: $7,000,000

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After all of these moves, our biggest needs are: LG, RG, EDGE x2, DL, CB3+4, S, QB

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Sign LG Joe Thuney

Currently, the best Guard FA, and would immensely help the O-Line. 5 yr, $50 Million, with $39 Million Guaranteed. We'd be able to cut him in the final year and $12 Million.

2021: $7,500,000 | 2022: $8, 500,000 | 2023: $9,500,000 | 2024: $10,500,000 | 2025: $14,000,000

2021 Cap Space: $22,844,944

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Sign CB Terrance Mitchell

Terrance Mitchell has played well the last three years, and is set to be a FA this year, and would provide another veteran for our secondary. 3yrs, $21 Million, $17Million Guaranteed. About half of his 2023 salary can be recouped by cutting him.

2021: $4,500,000 | 2022: $7,000,000 | 2023: $9,500,000

2021 Cap Space: $18,344,944

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Sign DL Leonard Williams

He's great-fantastic at Run Stopping, and good at Pass Rushing. I'd give him a 4-yr deal for $60 Million ($44 Million Guaranteed). We'd be able to cut him in 2024 and recoup $16 Million

2021: $10,500,000 | 2022: $13,500,000 | 2023: $16,500,000 | 2024: $19,500,000

2021 Vikings Remaining Cap Space: $7,844,944

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And with that, the FA signing are over. Our remaining Needs are: RG, CB4, S, EDGEx2, QB

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Now, after getting all of the picks where they need to go, our draft selections look like this.

When our pick comes up, this is what the Big Board looks like:

Round 1, Pick 14: Georgia EDGE Azeez Ojulari

Azeez Ojulari, Georgia, Outside Linebacker

He played in a 3-4 defense in college and over his two years as a starter and 2 games in 2018, he has 14 sacks, 68 tackles, 19 TFL, and 5 Forced Fumbles. He doesn't have the size for a 4-3 defense at this moment, but plays with a high motor and knows how to attack the O-Line in a way to get around the edge. He doesn't give up on a play and actively works to hide his smaller size behind ferocity. However, while being a great pass rusher, his run defense is lacking. Also, when battling O-Lineman with longer reach, he has troubles getting around, but has the agility, hands, and motor to make up for this deficiencies, but he has to apply it first.

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When our next pick comes up, we get no offers. The Big Board looks like this.

Round 1, Pick 21: Wake Forest EDGE Carlos Basham Jr.

Wake Forest DE Carlos Basham Jr. declares for draft | Yardbarker

Basham Jr's best fit is within a 4-3 defense, where during his college career, he has gotten 19.5 sacks, 7 Forced Fumbles, 33.5 TFL and a defensive touchdown. He wins not with quickness, but with raw power. If he can learn to channel his raw athleticism into pass rushing moves, he can be a very productive Edge.

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When our next pick comes up, I get two offers.

Our pick is worth 245.

The Titans offer is worth around 219.

The Bears offer is worth 180.

I accept the Titans offer, which gives back everything that was given in the Cousins trade, and includes another 2nd.

At the start of the second and when our pick comes up, we receive no offers.

Here is the Big Board.

Round 2, Pick 2: Ohio State G Wyatt Davis

Ohio State's Wyatt Davis named second-best returning O-lineman by ESPN

His ceiling depends on what scheme he's in, but regardless, is a prospective universal plug-and-play player, with his ceiling expected to rise heavily if in a offensive zone scheme, which is just what we run.

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19 selections go by, and when our pick comes up, we get no offers.

The Big Board looks like this.

I see a guy I want, but he's not on the Big Board.

Round 2, Pick 21: Alabama QB Mac Jones

Film study: Alabama's Mac Jones capped off breakout season in dominant  title win

He doesn't have great arm strength, being better with quick throws and play action passes. That being said, he is able to take shots down the field, and is great at going through progressions reading the defenses, and is good at anticipating when the receiver is about get open. He has great pocket awareness and can move around the pocket and scramble to create opportunities when none first present themselves.

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At the start of the 3rd round, I get no offers, but when our pick comes up, we get two offers.

Now, the Browns offer is a slam dunk, but their is a problem with the AI in Fanspeaks mock drafting simulation: they can be exploited, and occasionally make trades like such, where there is zero chance of it actually happening. The Colts offer is good and would be a pretty even trade, but still unrealistic. I mean, the current pick is #14 of the 3rd round. But I still think we can trade those later 3rd picks and have them be more realistic.

I instead give a counter offer to the Colts.

They accept.

I also give a counter offer to the Browns.

They accept.

Now that we are done with trading, let's look at the Big Board.

Round 3, Pick 14: Georgia C Trey Hill

Trey Hill - 2020 - Football - University of Georgia Athletics

Hill is not a great Athlete, but is fantastic at the point of attack and taking a defender out of the play. He's 6'4, 330 lbs, is reliable in pass-blocking, yet fantastic at run-blocking. At worst, he'd be depth chart fodder, and at best would be a new answer to the C position. Bradbury hasn't played very well, and this would be the way of, hopefully, lighting a fire in him that he might not be around for much longer if he doesn't play better. And competition is a great motivator. Not to mention, he'd graded as a mid-2nd round talent, and he's still available mid-3rd round. It's a relatively easy decision in my mind.

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When our pick comes around, we get no offers. Big Board looks like this.

Round 3, Pick 25: Georgia S Richard LeCounte

Richard LeCounte - 2020 - Football - University of Georgia Athletics

With Ant Harris leaving, drafting a safety is a must, and LeCounte has great instincts and is Georgia's main communicator on defense, relaying the plays to others. He has good athleticism, can read routes, and is a consistent tackler. He's not great as a man-coverage guy, and he is short, so covering TE's might be a problem.

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At the start of the fourth, we get no offers, but when our pick comes around, we get two.

Our current pick is #14, but they want to move up to the 20th pick. I like both trades, but I already have a lot of picks in the later round, so I'm going to trade some of them to get some picks for the 2022 draft.

They accept, and immediately after, I get 2 offers.

Once again, more picks for the later rounds, when I already have quite a bit.

They accept and........

I'm trying to give away picks for next draft and they appear to not be getting that message. The Chiefs offer looks good but is unrealistic, while the Cowboys offer is reasonable, but ultimately not something I want.

I go back to trading back, and offer the Chargers this:

They accept an-

Fine. I accept the Steelers offer.

Here is what the Big Board looks like before I finalize the trade.

I see nobody I want, so trading back doesn't hurt.

When our pick comes up, we get no offers, thank God.

Here is what the new Big Board looks like.

Round 4, Pick 36: Auburn WR Seth Williams

Auburn football wide receiver Seth Williams declares for NFL Draft

He has great hands, and is great in 50/50 situations. However, he does not have great separation abilities, nor is he a great route runner. There is work to be done with him, but he has natural talent for the position, but needs to be polished.

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At the start of the 5th, I decide to trade 3 6ths (I had 4) and 1 7th ( I had 3) for a 2022 4th.

No reason for it being the Broncos, I simply picked at random.

The remaining picks I have are:

When our pick comes up, we get no offers. The Big Board looks like:

Round 5, Pick 13: Florida CB Trey Dean III

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At the start of the 6th and when our pick comes around, we get no offers. Here is the Big Board:

Round 6, Pick 14: Kentucky CB Kelvin Joseph

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Round 7, Pick 14: Duke TE Noah Grey

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Round 7, Pick 18: Florida T Stone Forsythe

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And with that, the draft ends. We picked 11 players, and gained quite a bit of capital in the 2022 draft.

2022 Draft Picks

1 1st

2 2nd

1 3rd

4 4th

2 5th

2 6th

1 7th

Total Picks: 13

*Note: Something I noticed is that the AI can send more than 4 picks. How do I know that? Well...

I was wondering where all of those late round picks come from. Hell, The Titans pretty much gave their whole draft class. The system only show the top 4 picks so, but I'll take it.

Let me know what you would do different, and anything you noticed that I didn't.

2021 Cap Space (When it's time to sign rookies): $15,844,944

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.