Viking FA's
The Vikings have 15 players entering free agency, and are currently more than $24 million over the salary cap. So who stays and who goes? Here’s a look at some of the big names.DALVIN TOMLINSON
When he was healthy, Dalvin Tomlinson clogged up the line of scrimmage. His biggest issue was health, after missing five games with a calf injury. He finished the 2022 season with 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. If they can find the right price, they should bring him back.
PATRICK PETERSON
Patrick Peterson just finished his 12th NFL season and proved he can still play. He was among the best in the Vikings’ secondary with five interceptions, and had 71 tackles in 17 games. He’s a leader in the locker room, and the Vikings should try to bring him back. He said recently on his podcast he wants to return for 2023.
GARRETT BRADBURY
The uncertainty on Garrett Bradbury’s face at locker room clean out day said it all. For the first time in his football career, he’s not sure what his future holds. The 2019 first round pick missed five straight games this season with a back injury. Bradbury now has chemistry with Kirk Cousins, and is a valuable asset to the offensive line. The Vikings should try to find a way to bring him back.
GREG JOSEPH
The Vikings have had their kicker issues, not excluding Greg Joseph, but he’s more than established himself as a capable kicker. He was 40-of-46 on extra points this season, and largely only had kicking issues from 50-plus yards out. He won NFC special teams honors twice this season, and should be the kicker going forward.
NICK MULLENS
The Vikings need a quarterback if Kirk Cousins gets hurt, and Nick Mullens has proven to be capable in the No. 2 spot. He went 11-of-13 for 116 yards in the second half of the season finale at Chicago, and had a touchdown pass the week before at Green Bay. The Vikings could do worse than Mullens playing behind Cousins, a lot worse.
CHANDON SULLIVAN
With Cam Dantzler and Akayleb Evans missing chunks of time due to injury issues, Chandon Sullivan got plenty of snaps at defensive back. He had 60 tackles, seven passes defended and one fumble recovery in 17 games and 10 starts, but it’s a safe bet that Sullivan won’t be in the Minnesota secondary in 2023.
IRV SMITH JR.
Irv Smith Jr. was set to be the next highly-touted Vikings tight end after Kyle Rudolph, but Smith hasn’t been able to stay healthy since being a second round pick in 2019. He played in just eight games this season, finishing with 25 catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns. He had a score against the Giants in the playoffs, and it’ll be interesting to see how the offense could look next season with Smith and T.J. Hockenson, if they decide to bring Smith back.
ALEXANDER MATTISON
Behind Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison had 74 carries for 283 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games this season. The Vikings have a decision to make on Cook, which also impacts Mattison’s future. He can be an effective runner, but can he be a lead back? In the interest of cost-cutting, the Vikings could opt to release Cook and keep Mattison.
KRIS BOYD
A seventh-round pick in 2019, Kris Boyd has primarily left his mark on special teams. He had 13 tackles this season in 17 games. He forced and recovered a fumble against the Saints in London. We’ll see if Boyd is back next season.
The Vikings also have decisions to make on veterans on the defense with expensive contracts, as well as wide receiver Adam Thielen, who has a near $20 million cap hit next season. Kirk Cousins is also due $36 million next season, barring a re-negotiated deal.
https://www.fox9.com/sports/minnesota-vikings-2023-free-agents-who-stays-who-goes
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I'm a big NO on Bradbury. Tomlinson and Mullins should be a priority, unless we draft a QB in the 1st.
Joseph is polarizing to me. Some great moments, and then some alarming stretches of the wheels falling
off. I'm fine if we resign him, but won't be upset if we let him walk and find someone else. As mentioned, Peterson will be a scheme dependent decision. His influence in the Locker room with our young secondary is invaluable.
Plenty of great Running Backs in this draft. Assuming Cook will be released, I'm not automatically resigning Mattison. Ty Chandler, Kene, and a Rookie could get the job done. I like Chandler better than Mattison. I think he is more explosive, and just makes people miss better than Mattison does.
@"Skodin" said:If this team goes back to the 4-3, wouldn't a Tomlinson + Phillips middle be a strong duo especially on run D? I know that Hunter would be in a better position as well. We would need to find another DE to compete with Pat Jones II. Wonnum to me is a meh player at best. Move on from Z and use that money for #51 from SF, love the potential speed of him and Asomoah in the LB group I'll say this on Tomlinson, the guy was a bust in a 4-3 and might be one of those players that is really scheme dependant on his production. Vikings brought him in along with the guy from Baltimore trying to recreate the Williams Wall and it was a bust. So I'm not huge on bringing him back if that's the case. He's a decent to good player, but if another team wants to break the bank on him...more power to them. Harrison Phillips is the opposite, who seemed to play better in Buffalo in a four man front. He was just a non factor for the Vikings mist of the season. I'm also not sure why everybody is losing their minds on Asamoah, who was primarily a special teams player this year. The kid looks like safety playing linebacker and if we stick with the current scheme, he's going to get eaten alive against the run. He's another great example of the scheme not matching up with the personnel. This defense needs a complete overhaul IMO because the parts don't match the scheme.
Not included on this list is Duke Shelly who I think s/b a priority resign & will be relatively cheap.
I don't mind resigning Mullens, but there's going to be a lot of quality backup QBs who will be hitting FA in March. Drew Lock, Heinicke, Chase Daniel, Minshew to name a few.
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