What Should Be Done with Vikings Remaining Cap Space?
It’s already been a busy offseason for Kwesi Adofo Mensah and the Minnesota Vikings. With $30+ million of salary cap space still available and the draft coming up, it looks like it will stay busy for the Vikings general manager.
What Should Be Done with Vikings Remaining Cap Space?
Right now, the burning question in the Vikings’ orbit pertains to what should be done with the team’s remaining cap space.
Minnesota has made several significant additions, including re-signing Harrison Smith, Byron Murphy, and Aaron Jones, while adding Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Isaiah Rodgers to the team. The recent release of Garrett Bradbury with a post-June designation will free up a further $5 million of cap space. All this money is available to spend, leading to speculation regarding the Vikings’ next move.
The roster looks strong, including good depth in certain spots, but areas still need an upgrade, such as a backup QB, possibly a starting LG, WR3, and a safety. The mainstream media continues to get excited about the possibility of Aaron Rodgers in purple. Notions of a big move for Rodgers would both surprise and disappoint me.
Now is not the time to put big money into a 41-year-old QB. Those four positions should all be addressed in the coming weeks, whether through free agency, a trade, or the draft. However, if Minnesota is lining up one more blockbuster move this offseason, there is only one position they should have in mind.
Outside Cornerback
Brian Flores has a group of young, talented, and versatile cornerbacks who have potential, headlined by the returning Murphy. The latest arrival in Minnesota to add depth is former third overall pick Jeff Okudah, who signed a one-year contract to try and revitalize a career that has never fulfilled its promise and has been riddled with injuries.
If the Vikings are making a big push to be contenders this season, then the one thing they are missing is the outside cornerback who can be trusted to cover the opposition’s top receiver all game and hold his own. There are now slim pickings left in free agency, with only Asante Samuel left, who is remotely close to being a viable option. The blockbuster addition would have to come from a trade, so what options might be feasible?
Trade Options
One name that has already been linked with the Vikings is Sauce Garnder. Whether the New York Jets are opening to trade away a star CB after already losing D.J. Reed in free agency remains to be seen. If they are, then this is the big move that Minnesota should look to make. It wouldn’t come cheap, likely costing the 24th overall pick this year and more, and then a big contract extension for Gardner. Such a move would be a statement of intent if Adofo-Mensah could pull it off.
Another trade idea that the national media have floated is a move for 4x Pro Bowler Denzel Ward. If the Cleveland Browns are willing to move on from Ward, he’d also make an excellent addition to the Vikings at cornerback. Ward has been consistently good through seven seasons in the league and instantly upgraded the CB room.
Gardner and Ward are two options with some steam, but you never know what player might surprisingly become available. If there is the opportunity to bring a top CB to Minnesota, the Vikings should make it happen.
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