Perspective: Kwesi's approach to FA last year

[Montana Tom]

Last year, Free Agency appears to have started on March 19th (if my timeline is correct).
I looked at the first day or two of FA signings by the Vikings.  We did not make a huge splash Day 1.

The biggest splash plays?
The blockbuster $180 million deal for quarterback Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, a $100 million extension for quarterback Baker Mayfield to stay in Tampa Bay and a $110 million contract for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to head to Las Vegas.

Vikings Day 1 FA signing?
It was announced 2:33 pm on March 19.
It was Shaq Griffin, CB.  That's it.

By the next day (March 20), Kwesi had filled his dance card out just a wee bit:

Sam Darnold, QB (new)
Aaron Jones, RB (new)
Johnathan Greenard, LB (new)
Andrew Van Ginkel, LB (new)
Blake Cashman, LB (new)
Jihad Ward, LB (new)
Jonathan Bullard, DT (retained)
Jerry Tillery, DT (new)
Jonah Williams, DE (new)
Brandon Powell, WR (new)
Trent Sherfield, WR (new)
David Quessenberry, OT (retained)
Blake Brandel, G (retained)
Dan Feeney, G (new)
Johnny Mundt, TE (retained)
Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB (new)

My point?  I believe Kwesi is smart.  Yes, he has admittedly made mistakes. But the top tier money players typically either go on the first day of FA, because behind the scenes discussions have been illegally been going on for weeks.  Either that or easy to place depth players without much of a market jump on the first day.

But look at what he did between Day 1 and Day 2 last year.  And with 14 wins to show for it, not a bad result. 

He's keeping his powder dry.   Not that he's gonna do the same this year, but he has a history now, and a pattern might be developing.  

Stay tuned tomorrow.

[supafreak84]

I think Kwesi's wheelhouse is definitely analyzing free agents and how they fit in with the Vikings. Free agency is mostly known quantities and it's why I believe he has been substantially better at signing free agents than drafting players and deciding trade compensation. I'm indifferent on the Rodgers signing, but I like bringing back Jones and Murphy. Ryan Kelly is an upgrade at center but we still need more help on the offensive line. Hoping for Fries and/or Jedric Wills getting signed tomorrow.

[Montana Tom]

I'm starting to see Kwesi's MO. He does a little dab'll do ya on Day 1 of FA and then hits the hammer with multiple impact signings, moreso under the radar AFTER Day 1. I thought today would be good...but frankly it's better than I thought. Wow..both O and D lines vastly improved!!

[Vanguard83]

So yeah, we live in Hawaii and by the afternoon any news from the Central time zone ("The only time zone that matters" - per Purple FTW) Looking at my notices.....

ALLEN....Nice.
FRIES.....No way!
HARGRAVE.....Holy ISH !!!

Woke up to a whole new Vikings team

[Vikergirl]

[MAD GAINZ]

I think Kwesi's wheelhouse is definitely analyzing free agents and how they fit in with the Vikings. Free agency is mostly known quantities and it's why I believe he has been substantially better at signing free agents than drafting players and deciding trade compensation. I'm indifferent on the Rodgers signing, but I like bringing back Jones and Murphy. Ryan Kelly is an upgrade at center but we still need more help on the offensive line. Hoping for Fries and/or Jedric Wills getting signed tomorrow.

100% agree.  He is an analytics guy who is extremely smart, FA is definitely in his wheelhouse and it's shown these last two off-seasons. He needs to be better in the draft.

[purplefaithful]

100% agree.  He is an analytics guy who is extremely smart, FA is definitely in his wheelhouse and it's shown these last two off-seasons. He needs to be better in the draft.

Something is not right in the scouting dept. Something that excels in FA and then just takes a dump with the draft.  

Hate to keep harping on it...I think its Grigson, its systemic and it hasn't been addressed that I am aware of.

[supafreak84]

Something is not right in the scouting dept. Something that excels in FA and then just takes a dump with the draft.  

Hate to keep harping on it...I think its Grigson, its systemic and it hasn't been addressed that I am aware of.

Grigson is hot garbage and he's a senior draft advisor. No idea how he got that position.

[MaroonBells]

Something is not right in the scouting dept. Something that excels in FA and then just takes a dump with the draft.  

Hate to keep harping on it...I think its Grigson, its systemic and it hasn't been addressed that I am aware of.

I think that's an oversimplification. 2022 was the worst draft in our history. No class was even close. Hammer him all you want for that one. But the '23 draft tends to get caught up with that one and it's not really fair in terms of league context. We drafted Addison and Blackmon in that draft. If you look around, that ain't too shabby. In fact, Bleacher Report did a redraft of the '23 draft one year later and the Vikings draft came in 10th. So maybe not a "great" draft but well above average in context with the rest of the league. 

It's too early to say much of anything about 2024 but the early signs are good.

[purplefaithful]

I think that's an oversimplification. 2022 was the worst draft in our history. No class was even close. Hammer him all you want for that one. But the '23 draft tends to get caught up with that one and it's not really fair in terms of league context. We drafted Addison and Blackmon in that draft. If you look around, that ain't too shabby. In fact, Bleacher Report did a redraft of the '23 draft one year later and the Vikings draft came in 10th. So maybe not a "great" draft but well above average in context with the rest of the league. 

It's too early to say much of anything about 2024 but the early signs are good.

Its not taking away my happy of today, but its an issue imo until it isnt. 

And KAM still doesnt have an extension while his HC has already gotten a few new paychecks from his. 

Maybe Turner/JJM cast a great light on 24 and perception starts to change? Time will tell