The ALL Wide Receivers Draft Episode [PODCAST]

Podcast

by Andy Carlson - Mar 15, 2016

Wide receiver remains a position of need for the Minnesota Vikings as free agency is fading into the ether. So we look towards the draft with our guide Luke Inman (@Luke_Spinman) of eDraft and Cold Omaha to talk us through 15 intriguing wide out prospects in this year’s NFL Draft.

• Josh Doctson, TCU
• Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss
• Michael Thomas, Ohio State
• Corey Coleman, Baylor
• Rashard Higgins, Colorado State
• Will Fuller, Notre Dame
• Braxton Miller, Ohio State
• Tyler Boyd, Pitt
• Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
• Leonte Carroo, Rutgers
• Malcolm Mitchell, Georgia
• Kenny Lawler, Cal
• Charone Peake, Clemson
• Devon Cajuste, Stanford
• Paul McRoberts, SE Miss St

All that and other “Take the ball deep, take the top off the defense” nonsense on this edition of the Purple FTW! Podcast.

Also check out Luke’s updated 7-Round Vikings Mock Draft and his latest Prospect-A-Day on Corey Coleman below.

An Andy Carlson Joint

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REPORT: Vikings Re-Sign Terence Newman

Free Agency

by Sam Neumann - Mar 15, 2016

defensive unrestricted free agents — Image courtesy of Vikings.com

Via Tom Pelissero of the USA Today, Terence Newman has re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings:

Terence Newman has agreed to a 1-year, $3M deal to stay with #Vikings, source said.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2016

The report has been confirmed by multiple media outlets.

It was reported earlier this month that Newman wanted to stay with the team, and while it took a week, it’s clear now the feeling was mutual. He’ll get a slight bump from last year’s $2.25 million salary, but still comes at a decent price for a player who, at 37 years old, was a solid starter and stabilizing presence in 2015. Newman is a Mike Zimmer guy, and Zimmer must be convinced he still has something left in the tank. Ideally, Newman move into a reserve role and provide depth and passing down flexibility next year, either at corner or safety or both.

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Minnesota Vikings Re-Sign Rhett Ellison

Free Agency

by Austin Belisle - Mar 15, 2016

Minnesota Vikings re-sign Rhett Ellison — Image courtesy of Vikings.com

Rhett Ellison flirted with the free agent market, but in the end, found his way home to the Minnesota Vikings. As announced on the team’s official website, the fifth-year tight end re-signed with the Vikings on Tuesday morning. The Vikings also made the Marcus Sherels re-signing official, as the punt returner and special teams ace reportedly returned to the team late last week after visiting the New York Jets.

We have re-signed TE Rhett Ellison and CB Marcus Sherels. https://t.co/p2AxxgKpuJ pic.twitter.com/55E6xdEsL0

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 15, 2016

Sherels signed a two-year, $4 million ($1.5 million guaranteed) deal to remain in Minnesota, and he’ll have zero guaranteed money after the 2016 season. Ellison, who is recovering from a torn patellar tendon suffered in Week 17 last year, reportedly signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract.

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Andre Smith Leaves Minnesota Without a Deal

Free Agency

by Austin Belisle - Mar 14, 2016

Andre Smith leaves Minnesota — Image courtesy of Wikimedia

The Minnesota Vikings are in the hunt for a possible starting right tackle, pulling out all the stops to lure free agents to Winter Park. A popular tactic is to take potential Vikings to Manny’s Steakhouse, a move the front office used last night when they wined and dined free agent right tackle Andre Smith at the upscale restaurant.

Despite the Prime beef and today’s scheduled tour of US Bank Stadium, Smith left Minnesota without a deal in place. According to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, his looming decision “is between the Vikings and the Cardinals,” and right now, it’s an “even” race between the up-and-coming NFC teams.

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Vikings Lose Their First Player To Free Agency

Free Agency

by Adam Warwas - Mar 14, 2016

2012 third round cornerback Josh Robinson entered the 2015 offseason as a favorite to start within Mike Zimmer’s defense, but a year later he is exiting Minnesota and the Vikings are said to have not put up much of a fight.

Robinson is the first Vikings unrestricted free agent to leave for another team this offseason, as reports have him signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.

Robinson flashed as a rookie, had a terrible season in 2013 when Leslie Frazier forced him to play in the slot, and then rebounded nicely playing outside in Mike Zimmer’s 2014 season (Alshon Jeffery aside). His 2015 season was derailed by an offseason pectoral injury and the more than one local beat writer has suggested the Vikings never intended to bring him back once his contract expired.

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