Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: Minnesota Vikings
With free agency now into its fifth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
After jumping out to a 5–0 start despite losing quarterback Teddy Bridgewater indefinitely, offensive line injuries derailed Minnesota’s season as the Vikings finished 8–8. With some upgrades, the Vikings could challenge for the NFC North title again next season. Here are Minnesota’s five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Signing Riley Reiff
Matt Kalil, a former first round pick, was allowed to leave in free agency after suffering a hip injury last season. Riley Reiff, Detroit’s first round pick in 2012, the same class as Kalil, signed a five year, $58.75 million deal to take over at left tackle. Reiff can play at either side of the line at tackle and is a consistent, solid player who has missed just one game in his career.
2 — Signing Mike Remmers
The Vikings couldn’t cope with a multitude of injuries along the offensive line last season, dooming a promising campaign. Remmers has been criticised after being completely dominated by Denver’s defense in Carolina’s Super Bowl loss last year. However, Remmers is a good player when lining up at his preferred right tackle spot, instead of being retrofitted as a left tackle due to injuries. Remmers hasn’t missed a game in his career, and signed a five year, $30 million to replace the departed Andre Smith.
3 — Re-signing Adam Thielen
Adam Thielen had a breakout year in 2016 with 69 catches for 967 yards and five touchdowns, entrenching himself as Minnesota’s number two receiver behind Stefon Diggs. Thielen is the local kid-turned-sports hero; born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and being an undrafted pick out of Minnesota State. Thielen signed a three year, $17 million, and means that Minnesota could field an impressive young receiving corps if Laquon Treadwell can live up to his first round expectations.
4 — Signing Latavius Murray
After a season-ending meniscus injury, the Adrian Peterson era is over in Minnesota. After signing former Raiders running back Latavius Murray to a three year, $15 million deal, the Vikings said that Peterson would not return. A former 6th round pick, Murray had 195 carries for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games for Oakland last season, and enjoyed a 1066 yard Pro Bowl campaign in 2015. Murray can catch the ball out of the backfield when needed and is a better fit for offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s offense as the Vikings move further towards running a spread system with quarterback Sam Bradford.
5 — Signing Datone Jones
The front seven is the strongest part of Minnesota’s team, but depth was needed after injuries weakened the unit last season. Datone Jones was a versatile player who line up at both defensive end and outside linebacker in Green Bay, but he was mainly used as a rotational player. Jones had nine sacks, seven pass breakups and an interception in four seasons with the Packers before signing a one year, $3.75 million deal with the Vikings.
