By Jason Wisniewski
Roster Moves
I begin with roughly $7.2 million in cap space
(Source: Vikings Cap Calculator)
Released
S Andrew Sendejo, T/G Mike Remmers, TE Kyle Rudolph, WR Laquon Treadwell
Total 2019 Cap Savings = $18.2 million
Restructured Contracts/Extensions
WR Adam Thielen (2 yr Extension signed through 2022, 2019 cap hit increased by $1.9 million)
Rest of contract= 2020 cap hit=$13.1 mill, 2021 cap hit=$14 million, 2022 cap hit= $15.1 million w/only $2 million dead cap in final yr
Summary: I slapped an $8 million signing bonus onto Thielen’s existing contract but added 2 more years to it. He get’s a deserved raise up to $10 million in 2019 and then his cap number increases over the final 3 seasons The way the contract is structured he’s safe until 2022. In the final year the Vikings can save $13.1 million by cutting or trading him.
CB Trae Waynes (4 yr Extension, 2019 cap savings= $2 million)
Rest of contract: 2020 cap hit= $12 million, 2021 cap hit=$12.5 million, 2022 cap hit= $13.5 million, 2023=$14 million)
Summary: I tack on 4 more years to Waynes current contract and in return he lowers his cap figure to $7 million for 2019. He gets a $10 million dollar signing bonus. 2019 through 2021 are guaranteed base salaries. 2022 & 2023 have no guaranteed base salaries so the Vikings could save $9.5 million by cutting or trading him in 2022 with $4 million dead cap towards the following year or save $12 million by cutting or trading him in 2023 with only $2 million in dead cap for the following year as only the pro rated portions of his signing bonus would be due in those years.
DE Everson Griffen (Restructure, 2019 cap savings $5.9 million)
Rest of contract: 2020 cap hit=$7 million, 2021= $7.5, 2022=$7 million
Summary: We basically tore up the existing contract, gave him a $6 million signing bonus and guaranteed his base salaries through the 2021 season. For 2022 he can be released for a savings of $5.5 million with $1.5 million in dead cap for the following year. What is does is pay him more more upfront and gives him security for the next couple of years in guaranteed money. For a player who is 31 years old the hope is that he will stay here with the support system he has with dealing with his mental health maintenance and retire a Minnesota Viking.
NT Linval Joseph (Restructure, 2019 cap savings $6.4 million)
Rest of contract: 2020 $15 million, 2021=$14.5 million, 2022=$14.6 million, only $2.1 million guaranteed in final year of contract.
Summary: We converted almost all of Linval’s base salary to signing bonus, paying him more upfront but lowering his 2019 cap hit by $7.7 million. Linval is still technically signed through 2022 but by 2021 the Vikings can walk away with only $5.4 million in dead cap which would save $9.1 million in cap space for the 2021 season.
Total 2019 Cap Savings = $12.4 million
Re-Signings, Tenders & Pre-Draft Free Agency
I enter the signing period with $37.8 million in cap space
Re-signed
FB CJ Ham (ERFA Tender, 2019 cap hit= $645 k)
This is a no brainer as Ham is an ERFA and will only cost 645 k against the cap. Ham showed good blocking skills and an ability to catch the football and pass block. He’s a solid FB who can also play RB in a pinch.
C/G Nick Easton (1yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $805 k)
Easton has wound up on IR the past 2 seasons so he should come cheap on a 1 yr “prove it” deal for the league minimum. When healthy Easton is a fairly effective player at either Center or Guard. He can come in and compete for a starting spot or be a valuable depth piece anywhere on the interior O-line.
K Dan Bailey (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit $1.5 million)
Bailey seemed to have regained his form in the latter part of this season and with being another year removed from injury he should be ready to have a very good season. A 1 yr deal would be good here and let him battle it out with a UDFA in camp to push him to do his best.
UFA Additions
C Matt Paradis (4 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $8 million)
Rest of contract: 2020= $8.3 million, 2021=$9.5 million, 2022=$10.5 million with only $2.5 million in dead cap if released.
Summary: $10 million signing bonus. Base salary guaranteed until final year when only pro rated signing bonus is guaranteed and Vikings can release him and save $8 million in cap space for the 2022 season.
Matt Paradis 2019 PFF Free Agent Profile
With Gary Kubiak on board as the Vikings Offensive advisor & Assistant Head coach and his history with him in Denver & the zone run blocking scheme Paradis seems like a very logical Free Agent target this off season for the Vikings as he is a great scheme fit. Paradis is one of the, it not the best pass blocking center in the league and is also outstanding as a run blocker. If the Vikings sign Paradis they can move Pat Elflein to guard where he has previous experience when he was in college at Ohio State. A Paradis signing would be a major boost to the Vikings O-line.
WR Pierre Garcon (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $5 million)
If the Vikings go the FA route for a WR 3 and can’t land guys like DeSean Jackson or John Brown then Garcon might be the next best option. He spent 5 seasons with Kirk Cousins and is a big supporter of Kirk. His best seasons were with Cousins and nobody caught more passes in the NFL than Garcon during the 2 years where Cousins & Garcon were starting together from 2015-2016. He’s proven he can still get open as a savvy route runner when healthy. A rotation of Garcon & Aldrick Robinson at WR 3 would be a nice combo.
S Tyrann Mathieu aka “The Honey Badger” (4 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $10 million)
Tyrann Mathieu Free Agent Profile
Rest of contract: 2020 cap hit= $10.5 million, 2021 cap hit= $11 million, 2022 cap hit= $11.5 million)
Summary: $8 million dollar signing bonus. 2019-2021 are guaranteed base salaries. 2022 has $0 guaranteed base salary so the Vikings could release him in 2022 and save $9 million towards the 2022 cap w/only $2 million in dead cap for the following season.
Head Coach Mike Zimmer wanted the “Honey Badger” last off season and he’ll likely have an eye on him again this off season so it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the Vikings pursue him in Free Agency. If the Vikings do sign him they will have without question the best Safety duo in the NFL with Harrison Smith & the “Honey Badger” together. Mathieu is an outstanding play maker in coverage with above average speed for the position and he really lays the wood as a hitter and can blitz very effectively off the edge. He can also line up at Nickel CB if needed. The possibilities would be endless with how Zimmer could use the 2 of his safeties schematically if they add Matheiu to the roster.
P Bradley Pinion (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit $1 million)
Bradley Pinion Free Agent Profile
Vikings fans got on me for bringing back Matt Wile in my earlier mock off season versions. Apparently there is a belief that he is not a good holder. Perhaps that’s true since last year was the first time he had ever done it. So we go with 49ers Free Agent Bradley Pinion here who has more experience as a holder. Although his punting averages aren’t very high Pinion is a good directional punter who is good at pinning teams inside the 20 with 33% of his punts going inside the 20 with only 4% going for touch backs so he is Mr. “Coffin Corner”. He’s also only had 1 punt blocked in his career. A 1 yr deal for his solid & reliable play is well worth it.
DT Domata Peko (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $3 million)
Peko was with Zimmer back in Cincy and can play either Nose Tackle or 3 tech as a run plugger. The Vikings finished #15 overall vs the run last season which was a huge drop from #3 overall in 2017. Going with 2 Nose Tackle types in early downs and in short yardage could go a long way towards helping to fix that.
Total Cap Space After Signings = $7.9 million
NFL Draft
Trade Rd 1 #18, Rd 3 #17 & 2020 Rd 6 to Houston Texans for Rd 1 #23 & Rd 2 #22
Rd 1 #23 Jawaan Taylor OT Florida 6’5 334 lbs
Rd 2 #18 Irv Smith JR TE Alabama 6’3 243 lbs
Smith JR is probably the 2nd best blocking TE in this draft behind TJ Hockenson and Smith JR is also an athletic TE expected to run in the 4.6’s at the combine. That would definitely make him the fastest TE on the Vikings roster by far and he’s shown solid hands while at Alabama and had a fantastic senior season putting up a 7 TD campaign in which he averaged over 16 yards per reception. He can definitely threaten the seams and he’s a guy you can leave on the field when you’re running the ball as a dual threat as a pass catcher and a run blocker. Smith JR also possesses excellent YAC ability which he showcased in college and that’s something the Vikings currently don’t have in their current TE group. Teams would no longer be able to double Diggs & Thielen with Smith JR at TE. He’d be an outstanding help to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings RBs and could really help take the Vikings offense to the next level.
Trade Rd 2 #22 & Rd 4 #18 to Kansas City for Rd 2 #31, Rd 3 #28 & Rd 6 #28
Rd 2 #31 Germaine Pratt LB NC State 6’3 245 lbs
Germaine Pratt had a breakout season going from a productive rotational player to a full time starter as a senior in 2018. He has a knack for big plays with 4 interceptions in his college career including a pick 6, 17 sacks & 3 forced fumbles. 10 of the sacks & 2 of the forced fumbles came in his senior season. He’s an ideal sideline to sideline to defender, showing the speed as a pursuit player and he packs a wallop as a tackling machine at 6’3 245 pounds. Pratt also excels in coverage as he is a converted safety with terrific range to cover RBs & TE’s in both man & zone defense. He also shows good technique as a wrap up form tackler and has the sudden burst to rush the passer. He’ll need to work on staying more disciplined in his gaps but Mike Zimmer can definitely groom Pratt as a replacement for Anthony Barr and Pratt has the ability to be a day one starter as a 3 down LBer.
Rd 3 #28 Dennis Daley OT South Carolina 6’6′ 312 lbs
Daley has all of the athletic traits you want in an OT. He can move well and he has great functional strength. He just needs to clean up his footwork. He proved he can handle some of the best pass rushers in the country by shutting down Clelin Ferrell & De’Andre Walker but also struggled a bit against Josh Allen so there is some inconsistency but overall he flashes the ability to be a stud OT. His ability to stonewall bull rushers in pass protection is extremely impressive. A year or 2 as a swing tackle could go a long way towards his development into an eventual starter at RT.
Rd 6 #17 Devine Ozigbo RB Nebraska 6’0 236 lbs
Ozigbo had a breakout year as a senior and put in a solid performance at the East West Shrine Game. He’s a versatile RB who can be used in the passing game as receiver and also shows the want to and has the body to excel in pass protection. He’s the type of big physical back who wears out defenses late in games and uses a nice stiff arm to get additional yards and also runs with his pads low which is impressive for a taller RB. He is familiar with and effective in the Zone Blocking Run scheme as he is a one cut runner. He’d be a very nice complement to Dalvin Cook and his skill set reminds me a lot of Latavius Murray’s in that he is a big back with a blend of power and lateral quickness.
Rd 6 #28 Ty Summers LB Texas Christian 6’2 235 lbs
With Kentrell Brothers entering the final year of his rookie contract and the Vikings seemingly not thinking much more of him than a Special Teams player (they went with Eric Wilson an OLB to be the primary backup at MLB to Eric Kendricks last yr when Kendricks was hurt) it makes sense for the Vikings to try and upgrade the backup MLB spot with a player they might have more confidence in on defense than Brothers. Summers is an athletic LB who has the versatility to play all 3 LB spots, is an effective blitzer, is stout against the run and is good enough in coverage to stay on the field in the Nickel. What he needs work on is wrapping up as a tackler. Too often he goes for the big hits. That is fixable with coaching. Imagine Audie Cole but with more speed.
Rd 6 #35 Chris Johnson S North Alabama 6’3 200 lbs
Johnson could wind up being a diamond in the rough here late in Rd 6 for the Vikings. He’s 6’3 200 lbs, hits hard, is a play maker in coverage and is expected to run in the 4.4’s. He’s being massively overlooked in the scouting community mainly because he is from a small school and did not face elite competition. However Johnson checks all the physical traits boxes, is a smart player who is fundamentally sound and dominated the weaker competition he faced in college so he’s worth a shot here for sure.
Rd 7 #33 G Damian Prince Maryland 6’3 330 lbs
His best fit in the NFL is at Guard. In college he started out playing tackle his first few years but played guard last season and played it very well. A massive man who can push the pile in the run game he also chips very well and is very difficult for pass rushers to get around inside. With a bit more grooming at Guard he could develop into a future starter.
Rd 7 #38 QB Kyle Shurmur Vanderbilt 6’3 225 lbs
The son of former Vikings OC Pat Shumur the young QB has a strong arm and has the ability to move in the pocket and make plays with his legs. Is a very streaky player. Plays his best in an up tempo offense. Ran a pro style offense in college but played on a run heavy team which affected his ability to complete passes on obvious passing downs. Needs more coaching and more reps but has potential to develop down the road.
Total Cap Space after Rookie Draft Pool Accounting = $6.1 million
- (Rookie draft pool only count $1.8 million vs the cap under the rookie pool formula per Overthecap website until they actually sign their contracts. This capo hit will increase after Roster cuts as the rookies replace players currently on the roster)
Post Draft Free Agency
CB Marcus Sherels (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $1.1 million)
While he didn’t have a PR TD this season he came awfully close and had a good average when he was in there. The Vikings all time leader in Punt Return TDs still has plenty of juice left for another cheap 1 yr deal.
WR Aldrick Robinson (1 yr contract, 2019 cap hit= $1.1 million)
Robinson is not a true #3 WR but he’s a good #4 or #5 WR and a guy who can provide depth in a pinch and a guy who you can bring on the field when you want to stretch the field. He’s a one trick pony but that one trick is pretty darn good. He’s worth a low risk 1 yr contract for his chemistry with Kirk Cousins and deep speed.
Total Cap Space Remaining after Signings= $3.9 million
Final Roster Cuts before Regular Season
G/C Danny Isidora (2019 cap savings =$595 k)
LB Kentrell Brothers (2019 cap savings $720 k)
CB Craig James (2019 cap savings =570 k)
LB Hercules Mata’afa (2019 cap savings =570 k)
FB Johnny Stanton (2019 cap savings =570 k
DE Ade Aruna (2019 cap savings =435 k)
LB Rashard Cliett (2019 cap savings= $495k)
TE Cole Hikutini (2019 cap savings= $570 k)
OT Storm Norton (2019 cap savings= $495k)
WR Jeff Badet (2019 cap savings= $495k)
RB Roc Thomas (2019 cap savings $570 k)
OT Adam Bisnowaty (2019 cap savings= $0)
DT Curtis Cothran (2019 cap savings= $0)
Total Cap Savings from Roster Cuts = $6.2 million
Total Rookie Pool adjustment after Roster Cuts= -$5.1 million
Total Cap Space Remaining after all roster moves= $5 million
**Remaining unused 2019 cap space can be rolled over towards 2020 salary cap**
53 Man Roster
QB (2)= K. Cousins/K. Sloter/ K. Shurmur
RB (3)= D. Cook/D. Ozigbo/M. Boone
FB (1)= CJ Ham
WR (6)= S. Diggs/A.Thielen/P. Garcon/A. Robinson/C. Beebe/B. Zylstra
TE (3)= I. Smith JR/D. Morgan/T. Conklin
OL (9)= R. Reiff/P. Elflein/M. Paradis/J. Taylor/B. O’Neill/D. Daley/N. Easton/A. Collins/C. Edison
DL (9)= E. Griffen/J. Johnson/L. Joseph/D. Hunter/S. Weatherly/D. Peko/I. Odenigbo/J. Holmes/T. Bower
LB (6)= B. Gedeon/E. Kendricks/G. Pratt/E. Wilson/T. Summers/D. Downs
CB (6)= X. Rhodes/T. Waynes/M. Hughes/M. Alexander/H. Hill/M. Sherels
S (4)= H. Smith/T. Mathieu/J. Kearse/C. Johnson
STs (3)= D. Bailey/B. Pinion/K. McDermott
Practice Squad
RB Roc Thomas
OT Adam Bisnowaty
FB Johnny Stanton
DE Tashawn Bower
DE Ade Aruna
CB Craig James
CB Jaylen Myrick
LB Hercules Mata’afa
LB Reshard Cliett
OG D. Prince
Vikings Spin 