Yesterday, 03:25 PM
Not grading them as players, just ranking them according to how much I liked the move. I didn’t include depth moves like Wilson, Skule, Thomas et al.
1. Jonathan Allen - 3 years @ 17M per
Our biggest need filled by a ultra-talented pass rusher whose price was reasonable due to a pec injury in 2024. Hurt last year, but his pass rush grades the 4 years prior: 78, 81, 91, 84. To compare, Jonathan Bullard’s pass rush grade last year was 47, Tillery’s 54. Great player, great human, great leader. Will add some serious fire to the Vikings defense. Biggest misconception about him is that he’s old. He just turned 30. Also, not a factor in the comp formula. 6 months from now, this is the player we'll all be excited about.
2. Ryan Kelly - 2 years @ 9M per
Every bit the run blocker that Bradbury is, but this is a massive, immediate upgrade in pass pro. With a young QB, I actually like that he’s older. Bradbury would surround a good game with two bad games. But year in, year out, game in, game out, Kelly’s been remarkably consistent as both a run and pass blocker. I also think signing the older Kelly over the younger Dalman might signal how they feel about Jurgens.
3. Will Fries - 5 years @ 17.6M per
Absurdly good PFF grades in 2024 in both run and pass. So why in the name of chili cheese did the Colts let him go? I really don't get that. My biggest concern is he did it for only 5 games. Brandel looked good for 5 games too. Did his light come on or was that an outlier? Vikings are obviously convinced it’s the former. 26 years old and signed for 5 years, this is our RG for the ages. Adding his line mate Kelly makes this move even better.
4. Isaiah Rodgers - 2 years @ 5.5M per
Young, ascending player. PFF grades definitely argue starter-level, but probably not someone you want to count on as a CB1 or CB2. More than any other, this addition feels like many of the moves we made last year.
5. Javon Hargrave - 2 years @ 15M per
32 yo and hurt last year, but his pass rush grades the 4 years prior were 87, 91, 92, 84. Again, Jonathan Bullard’s pass rush grade was 47, Tillery’s 54. By itself, this is a solid move, but combined with Allen it’s a home run. We had to get better pressure when rushing only 4. Greenard, Allen, Hargrave, Turner/Gink could be the best pass rush we’ve had in decades. Who do you block?
6. Byron Murphy - 3 years @ 18M per
I think Murphy is a very good corner, but I don’t think he’s elite. In fact, I think of him as a very good CB2. The $22M was jarring. But that’s not what he got. It’s basically a two-year deal at $18M per. I’m fine with that. The Vikings didn’t have many options left after Ward and Reed signed with other teams. He’s not a shut-down guy, but we already know he fits well in Flores’ defense. How many picks will he have with better pressure?
1. Jonathan Allen - 3 years @ 17M per
Our biggest need filled by a ultra-talented pass rusher whose price was reasonable due to a pec injury in 2024. Hurt last year, but his pass rush grades the 4 years prior: 78, 81, 91, 84. To compare, Jonathan Bullard’s pass rush grade last year was 47, Tillery’s 54. Great player, great human, great leader. Will add some serious fire to the Vikings defense. Biggest misconception about him is that he’s old. He just turned 30. Also, not a factor in the comp formula. 6 months from now, this is the player we'll all be excited about.
2. Ryan Kelly - 2 years @ 9M per
Every bit the run blocker that Bradbury is, but this is a massive, immediate upgrade in pass pro. With a young QB, I actually like that he’s older. Bradbury would surround a good game with two bad games. But year in, year out, game in, game out, Kelly’s been remarkably consistent as both a run and pass blocker. I also think signing the older Kelly over the younger Dalman might signal how they feel about Jurgens.
3. Will Fries - 5 years @ 17.6M per
Absurdly good PFF grades in 2024 in both run and pass. So why in the name of chili cheese did the Colts let him go? I really don't get that. My biggest concern is he did it for only 5 games. Brandel looked good for 5 games too. Did his light come on or was that an outlier? Vikings are obviously convinced it’s the former. 26 years old and signed for 5 years, this is our RG for the ages. Adding his line mate Kelly makes this move even better.
4. Isaiah Rodgers - 2 years @ 5.5M per
Young, ascending player. PFF grades definitely argue starter-level, but probably not someone you want to count on as a CB1 or CB2. More than any other, this addition feels like many of the moves we made last year.
5. Javon Hargrave - 2 years @ 15M per
32 yo and hurt last year, but his pass rush grades the 4 years prior were 87, 91, 92, 84. Again, Jonathan Bullard’s pass rush grade was 47, Tillery’s 54. By itself, this is a solid move, but combined with Allen it’s a home run. We had to get better pressure when rushing only 4. Greenard, Allen, Hargrave, Turner/Gink could be the best pass rush we’ve had in decades. Who do you block?
6. Byron Murphy - 3 years @ 18M per
I think Murphy is a very good corner, but I don’t think he’s elite. In fact, I think of him as a very good CB2. The $22M was jarring. But that’s not what he got. It’s basically a two-year deal at $18M per. I’m fine with that. The Vikings didn’t have many options left after Ward and Reed signed with other teams. He’s not a shut-down guy, but we already know he fits well in Flores’ defense. How many picks will he have with better pressure?
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