FanPost

Mid-Season Offseason Plan

We have reached the bye week at where I'd thought they'd be: 3-3. Now, the trade deadline is still approaching and the Vikings could potentially swing a deal. I will have them not do that for the simplicity of this exercise, as that will throw off the numbers that I have to use, and it's impossible to know who will be the guy they get, if they get anyone.

As of right now, the Vikings are under the cap by $5,058,004. Barring the Vikings doing any other cap spending moves, that's the number I have to use.

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At the end of the season, that money will roll over into the next season. Currently, the Vikings are $5,789,268 over the cap. With the rollover money, the Vikings will be over the cap by $731,264.

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Those are all the guys that will be FA's in the next off-season (I believe. I could be missing one or two.).

I don't know what players will be brought back to, or added to, the practice squad, but I believe that the $3,064,188 is a good placeholder number for how much it's going to cost. After signing all of the practice squad guys, we'd be over the cap by $3,795,452.

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At the end of the year, we will be losing quite a few players.

  • Bashaud Breeland (CB)
  • Xavier Woods (S)
  • Patrick Peterson (CB)
  • Nick Vigil (LB)
  • Anthony Barr (LB) (2 Void Years)
  • Mason Cole (C)
  • Rashod Hill (T)
  • Mack Alexander (CB)
  • Dede Westbrook (WR)
  • Chris Herndon (TE)
  • Everson Griffen (DE)
  • Sheldon Richardson
  • Greg Joseph (K)
  • Jordan Berry (P)
  • Sean Mannion (QB)

Out of all of these players, I'm only really interested in Xavier Woods, Patrick Peterson, Nick Vigil, Mack Alexander, Everson Griffen, Jordan Berry and Greg Joseph.

But, we have no cap space to re-sign them, so let's focus on that first.

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Restructure/Extension Phase

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Kirk Cousins

2022 Cap Hit: $45 Million

Base Salary: $35 Million

Prorated Bonus: $10 Million

I will take what MarkSp18 has said for the better part of two years, but add my own spin to it. I will add two void years to Kirk's deal (2023 and 2024), and convert $21 million of Kirk's base Salary into a bonus, which will be spread apart 2022, 2023, and 2024. This move would save the Vikings $14 million to the 2022 Salary Cap, but add $14 million to 2023, as if he isn't extended, the 2024 cap hit will accelerate and add onto his 2023 cap hit.

2022 Cap Hit: $31 Million

Base Salary: $14 Million

Prorated Bonus: $17 Million

2023 Cap Hit: $14 Million

2022 Cap Space Before: -$3,795,452.

2022 Cap Space After: $10,204,548

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Danielle Hunter

This is his current deal, and despite my dislike of giving a single player that much money, it would probably (definitely) be int he best interest of the team to keep him. As such, I would give him something in line with what Joey Bosa got, a.k.a around $27 million/year. I would give him an extension that goes through 2027, which would mean he'd be about 33 when it ended. the contract would be a $162Mil/6yr deal, with $36 million as a signing bonus. With the cap hit's he already has, with exception to the $18 mil roster bonus, it comes up to $181,100,000, with $114,760,000 Fully guaranteed, and with a total guarantee of $146,370,000.

2022 | Salary: $1,400,000 (Fully Guaranteed) | Prorated Bonus: $12,120,000 | Cap Hit: $13,520,000

2023 | Salary:$18,500,000 (Fully Guaranteed) | Prorated Bonus: $9,120,000 | Cap Hit: $27,620,000

2024 | Salary: $21,000,000 (Fully Guaranteed) | Prorated Bonus: $7,120,000 | Cap Hit: $28,120,000

2025 | Salary: $26,500,000 (Injury Guarantee into Fully Guaranteed) | Prorated Bonus: $7,120,000 | Cap Hit: $33,620,000

2026 | Salary: $31,610,000 (Injury Guarantee)| Prorated Bonus: $6,000,000 | Cap Hit: $37,610,000

2027 | Salary: $34,610,000 | Prorated Bonus: $6,000,000 | Cap Hit: $40,610,000

By doing this, the Vikings will be able to save $12,600,000.

2022 Cap Space: $22,804,548

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Eric Kendricks

He's only got two years left on his deal, and I wouldn't extend him at this point, although I can see why you would want to. He has been the best LB, and an actual difference maker on defense for years. Luckily, his 2023 prorated bonus is rather low, so I would convert $8,000,000 of his 2022 salary into a bonus, which would spread out over two years, saving the Vikings $4,000,000.

2022 | Salaru: $1,150,000 | Prorated Bonus: $8,030,000 | Roster Bonus: $250,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $9,530,000

2023 | Salary: $9,150,000 | Prorated Bonus: $5,930,000 | Roster Bonus: $250,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $15,430,000

2022 Cap Space: $26,804,548

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Harrison Smith

The old man has lost a step, and I believe that despite his new contract, it is more beneficial to cut him.

As you can see, with a post-June 1st Designation, we'd only take on a $1,915,882 dead cap hit for each of the next 4 years, and we'd save a lot of cap. I like Harrison Smith. I was one of the people saying we should extend him earlier in the offseason because I believed that despite a down year in 2020, when he was put with the new talent, he'd return to form. That hasn't happened.

2022 Cap Space: $38,354,548

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Dalvin Cook

With 4 years, including 2022, on his deal, I'd do the same thing I did for Kendricks for Cook. With Kendricks, we were only able to save $4,000,000 because he only had two years on his deal.

2022 | Salary: $1,900,000 | Prorated Bonus: $4,701,272| Roster Bonus: $500,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $7,201,272

2023 | Salary: $10,400,000 | Prorated Bonus: $4,701,272| Roster Bonus: $500,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $15,701,242

2024 | Salary: $11,900,000 | Prorated Bonus: $4,701,272| Roster Bonus: $500,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $17,201,272

2025 | Salary: $13,900,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,600,000| Roster Bonus: $500,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $16,100,000

We'll be able to save $4,800,000 from Cook's deal by converting the $6,400,000 into a bonus.

2022 Cap Space: $43,154,548

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Brian O'Neill

We can do the same with O'Neill by converting $2,500,000 into a bonus, which would save $2,000,000 for 2022.

2022 | Salary: $1,900,000 | Prorated Bonus: $4,815,223| Roster Bonus: $500,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $7,315,223

2023 | Salary: $14,400,000 | Prorated Bonus: $4,815,223| Roster Bonus: $500,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $19,815,223

2024 | Salary: $14,400,000 | Prorated Bonus: $4,815,223| Roster Bonus: $500,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $19,815,223

2025 | Salary: $17,400,000 | Prorated Bonus: $4,815,223| Roster Bonus: $500,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $22,815,226

2026: Salary: $18,900,000 | Prorated Bonus: $500,000 | Roster Bonus: $500,000 | Workout Bonus: $100,000 | Cap Hit: $20,000,000

2022 Cap Space: $45,154,548

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Re-Signing Phase

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With $45,154,548 in cap space that we can use, let's sign those guys I wanted to earlier. Let's start with the one that's surprised me the most: Nick Vigil.

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Nick Vigil

I was not a big fan of picking up Nick Vigil, as I believed that we should've kept Eric Wilson instead. I'm glad to say that Vigil has not only overperformed what I expected of him, I would have no issue with bringing him back. I would think a deal similar to what Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB for Falcons) got would be enough. That would be a $7,000,000/2Yrs. I would give $2 million as a signing bonus, with the first year Fully Guaranteed.

2022 | Salary: $1,410,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,000,000 | Cap Hit: $2,410,000

2023 | Salary: $3,590,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,000,000 | Cap Hit: $ 4,590,000

2022 Cap Space: $42,744,548

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Xavier Woods

Woods is in the same camp as Vigil, but I'd make a bigger commitment to the man, as if we were to cut Smith like I have here, He'd be our #1 Safety. I'd make his contract similar to that of Dolphins Safety Clayton Fejedelem, who signed a 3yr/$8,550,000 deal in 2020. I would round up to $9,000,000, and give a $4,500,000 signing bonus, and the first two seasons have a fully guaranteed salary, making it $6,910,000 in total guaranteed

2022 | Salary: $910,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,500,000 | Cap Hit: $2,410,000

2023 | Salary: $1,500,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,500,000 | Cap Hit: $3,000,000

2024 | Salary: $2,090,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,500,000 | Cap Hit: $3,590,000

2022 Cap Space: $40,334,548

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Mackenzie Alexander

Mack Alexander is a good slot CB, and has shown that he can play pretty well when needed to. We let him get away once for pennies on the dollar. This time, we should give him a contract similar to what the Texans paid Terrance Mitchell, $6,500,000/2Yrs. I would add a third year, making it $9,750,000/3yrs, and extend it to $10,000,000 over that time. I would give $4,500,000 as a signing bonus, and similar to the Woods deal, give the first two years as fully guaranteed, making the deal include a total guarantee of $7,410,000.

2022 | Salary: $910,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,500,000 | Cap Hit: $2,410,000

2023 | Salary: $2,000,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,500,000 | Cap Hit: $3,500,000

2024 | Salary: $2,590,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,500,000 | Cap Hit: $3,590,000

2022 Cap Space: $37,924,548

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Everson Griffen

Griffen has proven his worth to this team after having been let go back before the 2020 season, and I believe that he should be retained. Even at his age, he's still producing at a good level. I would offer him a contract similar to Patriots Edge Rusher Henry Anderson, who got $7,000,000/2yr from the Patriots. I would go up to $8,000,000/2yrs. I would give $3,500,000 as a singing bonus with the first year guaranteed, making a total guarantee of $4,500,000.

2022 | Salary: $2,000,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,750,000 | Cap Hit: $3,750,000

2023 | Salary: $2,500,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,750,000 | Cap Hit: $4,250,000

2022 Cap Space: $34,299,548

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Patrick Peterson

I was against paying the man that much money, but he has played well enough that I would entertain the idea of bringing him back. I would offer a contract similar to what the Chargers paid Chris Harris Jr.: $17,000,000/2yrs, with a $7,000,000 signing bonus, with the first year fully guaranteed, making the total guarantee $11,500,000.

2022 | Salary: $4,500,000 | Prorated Bonus: $3,500,000 | Cap Hit: $8,000,000

2023 | Salary $5,500,000 | Prorated Bonus: $3,500,000 | Cap Hit: $9,000,000

2022 Cap Space: $26,299,548

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Greg Joseph and Jordan Berry

I think Jospeh is a good kicker getting routinely put into situations to fail. If he's not overused, he's worth about a $1,000,000 per year, and I would offer him a two year deal, with a $500k signing bonus. $2,500,000/2Yrs. And I would extend the exact same offer to Berry, who's shown to be the best Punter we've had in about 4-5 years.

2022 | Salary: $825,000 | Prorated Bonus: $250,000 | Cap Hit: $1,075,000

2023 | Salary: $1,175,000 | Prorated Bonus: $250,000 | Cap Hit: $1,425,000

2022 Cap Space: $24,149,548

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With those 6 FA's signed, we still have $24,149,548 to use. However, we will need to use about $5,000,000 of that to sign our rookie draft clase, so we really only have $19,149,548 to spend in the 2022 Free Agency Period. In my opinion, we have three pressing areas of need to focus on in the FA period, and those are Linebacker, Safety and Corner Back. Out of those 4 positions, I've found one for each position:

  • Quandre Diggs (Safety for the Seahawks. PFF Grade: 61.9)

Diggs has been somewhat underwhelming this year, and is set to become a Free Agent at the end of the year. We need another good veteran in the backfield, and since he'll be 29 by the next FA Period, I think a 3-yr deal is warranted. A deal would look similar to Adrian Amos' deal with the Packers back in 2019, but instead of a 4-yr deal, it'll be a 3-yr deal. $27,000,000/3yrs, with two void years on the back end, and a signing bonus of $10,000,000.

2022 | Salary: $1,500,000 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $3,500,000

2023 | Salary: $6,500,000 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $8,500,000

2024 | Salary: $9,000,000 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $11,000,000

2025 | Salary: $0 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $2,000,000

2026 | Salary: $0 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $2,000,000

2022 Cap Space: $15,649,548

  • Bryce Callahan (Cornerback for the Broncos. PFF Grade: 67.2)

Callahan has had a decent year so far, and I could see the Vikings trading for him sometime before the end of the deadline on Nov 2. However, he's set to become a FA at the end of the year, and since I'm assuming they sign nobody, he could be the guy to go after at this stage of the game. He just turned 30 3 days ago, and so I think a 3-yr deal comparable to the one given to Diggs is warranted. However, instead of make $27,000,000 over the course of the deal, I think $21,000,000 is better. The format of the deal would remain the same. $21,000,000/3yr deal with 2 void years, with a $10,000,000 signing bonus.

2022 | Salary: $1,500,000 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $3,500,000

2023 | Salary: $3,500,000 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $5,500,000

2024 | Salary: $6,000,000 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $8,000,000

2025 | Salary: $0 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $2,000,000

2026 | Salary: $0 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $2,000,000

2022 Cap Space: $12,149,548

  • Eric Wilson (Linebacker for the Eagles. PFF Grade: 35.2)

I was a big proponent of keeping Wilson during this off-season and since he's going to be 28 a little ways into the 2022 season, and with how bad he, and the entire Eagles team for that matter, has been, he won't be commanding a large contract. Meaning, we could bring him back on a 1-yr deal to help him rejuvenate his image, and get another solid season out of him for 2022. I would give him a $4,000,000/1Yr deal, with $3,000,000 as a signing bonus.

2022 | Salary: $1,000,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,000,000 | Cap Hit: $2,000,000

2023 | Salary: $0 | Prorated Bonus: $1,000,000 | Cap Hit: $1,000,000

2024 | Salary: $0 | Prorated Bonus: $1,000,000 | Cap Hit: $1,000,000

2022 Cap Space: $10,149,548

  • Ben Jones (Center for the Titans. PFF Grade: 72.8)

Bradbury is the definitive weak link of out team, and we should go out and get a veteran Center to help Kirk Cousins in his final year as a Viking. Jones will be a FA at the end of the year, barring the Titans extending him, but at 33 years of age, and 34 at the start of the next season, they might let him go, or he might decide that going to FA for one last payday is a good idea. I would offer him a 1yr deal with two void years, giving him a $12,000,000 deal with a $6,000,000 signing bonus.

2022 | Salary: $6,000,000 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $8,000,000

2023 | Salary: $0| Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $2,000,000

2024 | Salary: $0 | Prorated Bonus: $2,000,000 | Cap Hit: $2,000,000

2022 Cap Space: $2,149,548

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Tyler Conklin

3-yr/$9,000,000, a $3,000,000 signing bonus

2022 | Salary: $910,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,000,000 | Cap Hit: $1,910,000

2023 | Salary: $1,500,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,000,000 | Capt Hit: $2,500,000

2024 | Salary: $3,590,000 | Prorated Bonus: $1,000,000 | Cap Hit: $4,590,000

2022 Cap Space: $239,548

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And with those positions dealt with, We head to the draft. According to FanSpeak, we are supposed to get the 19th overall pick. For this draft, I believe that the important positions to draft for are LB, C, QB and DL.

We start the 1st Round, and the 18 picks go as follows:

I find it really hard to believe that 5 teams will draft a QB in the first 16 picks of the 1st round, but if no big QB trades are made, it could feasibly happen. There are a lot of teams that will be desperate for a good QB. When our pick arrives, the big board looks like:

I think the opportunity is to good to pass up.

Round 1, Pick 19: Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa

The Daily Iowan | Will to win: How Iowa's Tyler Linderbaum became the  nation's best center

The man is regarded as one of the best centers in college football, and he fits the profile of what his team looks for. He's also the Best Player Available on the board at this time, and there is a need for a Center after the 2022 season, as I have it. Ben Jones will play out the year, and come 2023, Linderbaum will take over, giving us the O-Line of Darrisaw-Cleveland-Linderbaum-Udoh(Davis)-O'Neill.

The rest of the 1st round goes as follows:

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At the start of the second, we get two offers:

While I'm thinking about moving up, I don't think the guy I want will last until my pick, and so I don't see the point in trading back. I wait the first two picks

And I get on the phone with the Jets.

They accept, and I draft my guy.

Round 2, Pick 3: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

NCAA football: Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder finding new role

He is very athletic, can throw the ball out quickly, and is a dual-threat QB. He doesn't have the best accuracy, but with a season behind Kirk Cousins, hopefully that can be mitigated, and perhaps remedied. When Cousins is let go after teh 2022 season, it'll be Mond and Ridder dueling in camp to decide who will be the starter. I personally believe tht Ridder will win that battle, and I believe that he has a better floor and ceiling than Mond. He's a tough kid, and I believe that regardless of where he goes, he'll be great.

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Here's how the rest of the round went:

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At the start of the 3rd, we get no offers.

Here is the big board:

Well, it's an easy decision for me.

Round 3, Pick 19: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

Now, there is a chance that he won't declare for the draft, but as things stand now, he's available, so I'm going to draft him. With Wilson being a 1-yr guy in my scenario, the need for another LB is there, and he is the BPA.

The rest of the third goes as such:

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Round 4, Pick 19: Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State

Round 5, Pick 27: Kolby Harvell-Peel, S, Oklahoma State

Round 6, Pick 18: Tiawan Mullen, CB, Indiana

Round 6, Pick 19: Kearis Jackson, WR, Georgia

Round 7, Pick 16: Thomas Booker, DL, Stanford

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.