Monday Morning Mailbag: Assessing Possible Vikings Post-Draft Roster Additions

[Viktor]

I expect Bynum to compete with Josh Metellus and Myles Dorn for the backup safety jobs and also be a key special teams player in 2021.


Right now, it appears Woods will be the other starting safety next to Harrison Smith. But it's always a good idea to have some depth there, something that was lacking a bit in 2020.


As for Woods' future with the Vikings, the one-year deal likely benefitted both sides … and fell in line with what many players did with a reduced salary cap.


If Woods excels in 2021, the Vikings will receive solid safety play next to Smith. And if Woods bounces back from what he himself called a disappointing season, he will have likely earned himself a longer contract, whether that's with Minnesota or someone else.


I would love to see Nick Easton and Andrew Sendejo return as depth pieces. Is it unlikely after the draft we had? The Vikings still have some cap space …


— Gary G.


Two areas the Vikings might address with free agents now that the draft has concluded are backup quarterback and edge rusher opposite Danielle Hunter. Your thoughts?


— Kevin Farrell from Mississippi


I combined the questions from Gary and Kevin since both pertained to the Vikings free agency approach now that the draft is over.


The pair of names Gary mentioned are currently free agents, and both have experience with the Vikings.


I would have said Easton was a possibility before the draft, but the additions of Christian Darrisaw and Wyatt Davis could mean the Vikings starting five is set. There is also some depth already on the interior with names such as Dakota Dozier, Mason Cole, Dru Samia and Kyle Hinton. Plus, Easton was placed on Injured Reserve in January by the Saints, so I am unsure what his current health status is.


Sendejo is an interesting name to watch. I mentioned the safeties above, and perhaps the Vikings are fine with that group for now. If they aren't, Sendejo provides veteran depth and an extensive knowledge of the defense. He could return in the role he had in 2019 as a backup safety and special teams ace. And don't forget his position flexibility, as his play as the slot cornerback in the playoff win over New Orleans was a heavily underrated reason why Minnesota won that game.


I hit on Bradford above and my doubts that he would be brought back. I'd probably lump most other quarterbacks into that group, too.


As I wrote here last week, Cousins is the unquestioned starter. And Browning, Mond and Stanley will battle for the backup job. Spielman seemed pretty content with that group when chatting with the Twin Cities media after the draft.