There will be plenty of discussion starting very soon about how the Vikings can attract, afford, and accumulate more talent throughout their roster. First, let us take a look at how well armed the Vikings are in their quest to improve upon 2012.
First, Tom Pelissero writes that the Vikings should begin this offseason with about $12.3 million in cap space, a number that is above average for NFL teams. These projections include deductions for earned incentives for players such as Antoine Winfield, as well as a bump stemming from cap violation penalties placed on the Redskins and Cowboys.
The team will probably want to start spending that cap space by retaining some of their 14 free agents, each of which are discussed here, before considering just who they might target when free agency opens up.
They may also increase their cap space depending on how they decide to proceed with veterans such as defensive tackle Kevin Williams, defensive end Jared Allen, cornerback Antoine Winfield, tight end John Carlson, and wide receiver Percy Harvin.
The Vikings are also armed with eight picks in the 2013 NFL Draft. They have no picks in the sixth round, but two in both the fourth and seventh rounds. Each of the other rounds, they have one pick in each. While the official Draft order has yet to be released, the Vikings appear to be solidified as having the 23rd pick in the first round. That is, of course, a full 20 spots lower than where they sat when Draft Day rolled around in 2012.
With plenty of cap space and Draft picks, this should be an exciting offseason to pay attention to, as Rick Spielman has plenty of fire power to keep building this team into one that can win a championship.
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I'd like to see them make 1 splash FA signing, hopefully a WR. I know that's a longshot with Rickys mo but they're pretty desparate at the position.
I would agree, johnny. Watching this Smith from Balt. really brings home the need we have there. Not sure what's available though.
Coach, this Smith kid reminds me of a young Randy Moss. I'd love to see him in a better shade of purple
i'm fallin asleep
yawn, ok. manning mistakenly leaves it up to a coin toss - and baltimore gets the ball to start. HA!
Was A.J. Jefferson really worth an early 6th + a switch from a late 6th to a early 7th?
7-0
gb still sux
Yeah, right Cal!
kap settles down and gets the td!!!!
hahahahhahaaaaaaa!!!!!!!
rodgers sux. punk
sf not regretting anything
Right! Dang you Rodgers! Dang you Packers!
"I can feel your anger. It gives you focus."
Why don't you have Kevin Williams listed as a free agent? He is a free agent, but the Vikings have a a 2 year 16.76 million option on him. Now way Vikings pick up that option. So K. Will is a free agent.
I don't have him listed because he is technically NOT a free agent unless/until the Vikings release him.
No "option" exists. Rather, all guaranteed portions of his current contract are in the past.
I haven't gotten back around to the topic yet, and I will, but I haven't ignored it. It's just that nothing has changed since I wrote this: https://vikingsterritory.com/2012/analysis/apparently-no-k-will-option-exists
And why hasn't anybody talked about this? This is a big draft need. Maybe even more than WR. DT huge draft need.
i did, someone else, too. might be remembering your mentioning it before, but it has been talked about
this kaepernick kid can play
Whoever in the Vikes organization that lobbied for them to take Ponder over Kaepernick needs to be fired ASAP. I know hindsight is 20/20 but wow what a screwup.
Sorry Coach but oh yeah the cheesedicks get their ass kicked is totally awsome. I wonder what their excuse is gonna be? I love it, all the so called experts were predicting a Peckers win! LMFAO
johnny, it's only second to a vikes win. loved it!
Oh yeah Cal I totally agree! Coach will just have to grin and bear it.
I'm grinnin' johnny. Have no doubt that I am grinnin'!