Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,552
- 0
The NFL canceled its Annual League Meeting due to concerns around the COVID-19 outbreak, but the new league year is still slated to open on March 18, which means free agency is just around the corner.
With that in mind, The Athletic asked its NFC North beat writers to "analyze their teams and offer predictions ahead of the opening of the legal tampering window on Monday."
Arif Hasan took a look at the Vikings roster and listed the team's five "key free agents" as safety Anthony Harris, defensive end Everson Griffen, cornerback Trae Waynes, slot cornerback Mackensie Alexander and kicker Dan Bailey.
Hasan put together his personal "wish list" for Minnesota in free agency:
If the Vikings cannot re-sign Harris, a swing in free agency for an offensive lineman or a cornerback — whether that's a cornerback from outside the organization or one of their own — would be ideal. The most incredible outcome, given their cap issues, would be finding a way to bring in Joe Thuney and Byron Jones together in one fell swoop. After that, they should round out their depth with an athletic special teams linebacker — perhaps along the lines of Kevin Pierre-Louis — safety (re-signing Andrew Sendejo is viable here), competition at three-technique — like Roy Robertson-Harris — and other positions.
Hasan predicted that the Vikings bring back Griffen and "at least one of their cornerbacks" in addition to making "most boring (but necessary) depth signings."
And for Green Bay, arguably Minnesota's biggest division rival?
The Athletic's Matt Schneidman tabbed tackles Bryan Bulaga and Jared Veldheer, linebacker Blake Martinez, cornerback Tramon Williams and receiver Geronimo Allison as the Packers five key free agents.
Schneidman opined that Green Bay will not re-sign Martinez or Bulaga, calling them "two huge holes to fill."
They need to re-sign Veldheer, who filled in admirably for Bulaga at right tackle in 2019, and search for a starting inside linebacker from an external source.
Look for the Packers to try and upgrade their receiving corps in free agency, whether that be by signing a tight end, wide receiver or both, since Aaron Rodgers needs more weapons than he had at his disposal last season.
To read The Athletic's breakdown of the NFC North in its entirety, click here.