Realistic Free Agent Options (Including UDFA's)

Lil Uno · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 5280

Some UDFA I would consider:

QB-John Brantley-Florida: He has potential and ability to get drafted, he just doesn't have any film to look at. 2 Years ago Urban Meyer ran a QB by committee. Then this year he started off hot under Charlie Weis until an injury knocked him out. Worth a look as a camp body at the least

WR-Damarlo Belcher-Indiana: Belcher was kicked off the team but he would have pushed for the 2nd Round. Like Weslye Saunders last year, Belcher is a great talent on a football hiatus. At 6-5 215 he would be an immediate Red Zone threat with the potential to become a number #1 or a high end #2.

WR-Da'Jon McKnight-Minnesota: The hometown kid has been a bright spot for the Gophers this year. At 6-3 215 he has been a playmaker for the Gophers; making tough catches and scoring TDs. The biggest knock on McKnight his is speed. I'm not sure he will be able to create much seperation at the next level. If he were to become a better route runner to help disguise his lack of speed than you could have a player.

DE-Jack Crawford-Penn State: Crawford was once regarded as a 1st Round lock. Not sure what happened but over the last 2 years his production hasn't been the same. At 6-5 260 Crawford has been asked to stand up sometimes but I see his NFL future with his hands in the dirt. Crawford utilizes his speed and athleticism to get a good burst off the line of scrimmage. The burst off the line of scrimmage allows Crawford to generate a lot of pressure on the quarterback Crawford has only been playing organized football for several years and is very raw. He hasn’t racked up major game time and needs to work on refining his technique and get a better feel for the game.

S-Janzen Jackson-McNeese State: Jackson is an elite talent with character concerns. Jackson was a thorpe award candidate at Tennessee before being kicked off the team and transfering. Had has stayed at Tennesee he would be a Top 20 lock this year. He is a playmaker with a nose for the ball. Jackson has a lot of what you’re looking for in a safety prospect. He has good height, sideline to sideline range, he makes a lot of plays on the ball, and he can defend the middle of the field with his ferocious hits. Jackson is just a very nice prospect whose biggest on the field flaw is his form tackling. I'm not sure what his eligibility is at this point but I'm sure he will be available for this years draft.
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calipurple · Joined: 16 Feb 2011 Posts: 230

I think we could look at Barret Ruud from the Titians. He was pretty sought after as a FA last year but after being out for the majority of the season and getting his spot taken by Collin McCarthy he could come a little cheaper this year.
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PrplChilPill · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 7814 Location: SLP, MN

rpmwr19 · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 16990 Location: Stillwater, MN

Eastern Walrus · Joined: 25 Oct 2010 Posts: 3042 Location: on safari

DeSean Jackson talk already come to a stop? I would like to see him in purple and I think he's young enough to still produce for the Vikings for years to come
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PrplChilPill · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 7814 Location: SLP, MN

PrplChilPill · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 7814 Location: SLP, MN

rpmwr19 · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 16990 Location: Stillwater, MN

DeSean Jackson is someone I would stay away from unless he's gotten over his fear of going over the middle. He's a one-trick pony; although it's a trick he's pretty good at.
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PrplChilPill · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 7814 Location: SLP, MN

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vikingsrule · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 6:48 pm Post subject:

vike daddy · Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 66652

[UMN] · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 11832 Location: Desolation Row

I would argue that we need to sign LOTS of free agents this year.

Not the high priced or aging kind, but guys that are in the 26-27 year old range and younger can have an impact on the team for many years. We have too many holes to fill to ignore free agents. We need a combination of guys who are young and have room to grow (rookies, UDFAs, low-end free agents) and guys who can contribute now and play at an adequate level for 3-5 years while we address other needs.

Even signing an older guy or two just as a stop gap would help. It just puts off that hole for another year. There are too many holes to fill them all at once, we need to spread it over the course of the next 3-4 seasons.
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[UMN]'s 2013 Vikings' Offense Tracker

Zephiel · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:25 pm Post subject:

Key Mid- to Upper-Tier Free Agents Under Age 30 at Positions of Need for the Vikings

(ordered by age)

Wide Recievers

25 - DeSean Jackson (PHI)
25 - Steve Johnson (BUF)
25 - Mario Manningham (NYG)
25 - Jerome Simpson (CIN)
27 - Dwayne Bowe (KC)
27 - Robert Meachem (NO)
28 - Vincent Jackson (SD)
28 - Marques Colston (NO)

Offensive Linemen

26 - Carl Nicks (NO)
27 - Ben Grubbs (BAL)
27 - Demetrius Bell (BUF)

Defensive Tackles

25 - Jason Jones (TEN)
26 - Pat Sims (CIN)
27 - Paul Soliai (MIA)
28 - Brodrick Bunkley (DEN)

Linebackers

25 - Curtis Lofton (ATL)
26 - Stephen Tulloch (DET)
26 - Dan Connor (CAR)
26 - Jonathan Goff (NYG)

Defensive Backs

24 - Tyvon Branch (OAK)
25 - Brandon Carr (KC)
25 - Tracy Porter (NO)
26 - Terrell Thomas (NYG)
26 - Michael Griffin (TEN)
27 - Cortland Finnegan (TEN)
27 - Tim Jennings (CHI)
27 - Laron Landry (WAS)
28 - Brent Grimes (ATL)

These are bigger names mostly, but still.

At wide receiver, guys with coaching / GM changes may be more inclined to leave where they are (V. Jackson, Bowe) but there are many likely to receive the franchise tag (V. Jackson, Bowe, Johnson). A bigger-name likely option there is Marques Colston, as the Saints have tons of guys to resign this offseason and he (and probably Robert Meachem) may be lost in the scuffle.

The FA guards are elite, but again, New Orleans only has one franchise tag and they have many key players to resign this offseason. Demetrius Bell is probably the only starting-caliber LT in the FA pool this year.

Pat Sims and Brodrick Bunkley are two smaller-name guys that might help us at DT if we don't like Remi Ayodele.

There are some good LBs in this year's FA pool. Tulloch is a sure tackler and it would be great to steal a guy from Detroit, but he might get the Tag. Dan Connor and Jonathan Goff are starting-caliber guys that could be cheaper options if we let go of EJ Henderson. Curtis Lofton is a BIG name but he's competing with Brent Grimes for the Franchise Tag in Atlanta.

A lesser name in the DB pool is Brandon Carr, and I think him and Chris Cook would be a good combo at CB for us. Tim Jennings is underrated as well, and in addition to playing for a division rival, he plays in a similar scheme in Chicago. As far as safeties go, Michael Griffin is the most complete in my opinion, but he'll cost a lot and he might even get the Franchise Tag... Tyvon Branch is only 24 and he's impressive for his age, but no doubt he'll get the tag in Oakland.

Just some options. I think we need to spend bigger this year as opposed to years prior, we have a lot of needs we can fill with some younger free agents in addition to the draft.

Purple Faithful · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 2688

I definitely think Manny Lawson will be available & would be an exceptional signing by the Vikings as long as we don't franchise him.
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