Questions Answered: Vikings’ Best Free Agent Move, the Other Guard Spot, Cam Robinson
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the March 14th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Vikings’ Best Free Agent Move, the Other Guard Spot, Cam Robinson
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Q: Which free-agent signing was best overall for the Vikings so far?
Answer: We’ll say center Ryan Kelly.
For six years, while Garrett Bradbury played admirably blocking for running backs, he was virtually assured to be destroyed by a mean defensive tackle like Kenny Clark or Dexter Lawrence. And we all just accepted it because that’s the way it was.
We don’t have to do that anymore.
Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler who does not get mauled by Clarks and Lawrences, will establish legitimacy in the middle of the offensive line. He’ll also work with J.J. McCarthy during McCarthy’s first voyage — assuming this Aaron Rodgers stuff fizzles — which should kick off that era in the right manner.
Most, this website included, didn’t foresee Kelly becoming a Viking because Kwesi Adofo-Mensah prefers younger free agents, but Kelly was a pleasant surprise.
Q: Will Blake Brandel start at guard in this new group, or will it be someone else?
Answer: Probably Brandel — but a replacement cannot be ruled out.
Some rookies might make sense if Minnesota bends in the iOL direction with “best player available” in the draft. Tyler Booker (Alabama), Grey Zabel (North Dakota State), Donovan Jackson (Ohio State), Marcus Mbow (Purdue), Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona), and Tate Ratledge fit the criteria.
Via free agency, guards like Shaq Mason, Brandon Scherff, and Teven Jenkins are still out there.
So, we’ll hold out hope for a total iOL facelift, but Brandel wouldn’t be the worst option in the world with so much talent around him.
Q: What’s the holdup with Cam Robinson signing somewhere?
Answer: Sometimes, free agents just take longer than others. For example, Stefon Diggs has not signed anywhere, and he’s still a pretty damn fine wide receiver.
Robinson will still fetch a deal worth $15 million annually. Remember — the more, the merrier for Vikings purposes because it would enhance the compensatory draft pick formula.
New England is considered the current frontrunner for Robinson.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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