Free agency is about a month away, and now we can all look ahead to what players will be out there and what teams have to do.
The Vikings have a number of players that will be unrestricted come March 13th when they can sign with other teams. You can see the complete list below, and give your thoughts about what players the team should keep, and what ones they could let go.
Restricted Free Agents (2)
RB Lorenzo Booker
LB Kenny Onatolu
Unrestricted Free Agents (16)
QB Sage Rosenfels
WR Devin Aromashodu
WR Greg Camarillo
TE Jimmy Kleinsasser
TE Visanthe Shiancoe
OL Scott Kooistra
DT Fred Evans
DT Letroy Guion
LB Xavier Adibi
LB E.J. Henderson
LB Erin Henderson
CB Benny Sapp
S Husain Abdullah
S Tyrell Johnson
S Jarrad Page
LS Matt Katula
Jimmy is retired, brother.
I honestly don’t feel like losing any of those players will handicap the team . The Vikings could sign cheaper and just as effective role players in the draft and undrafted free agency.
The top priority on this list would be Erin Henderson, but I wouldn’t get in a bidding war for him.
Given the number of needs on this team, they have to take a close look at retaining Abdullah. Perhaps a one-year deal that’s heavy on performance incentives. As it stands right now, the don’t have a starting safety, and they have higher priorities to address early in the draft.
If Guion and Ty. Johnson leave in free agency, the Vikings could get compensatory picks for them in 2013, so I’m sure they are considering that as well. In contrast, Erin Henderson and Abdullah were undrafted FAs, so losing them would not result in compensatory picks.
Aromashodu, Guion, Abdullah, Erin Henderson and Rosenfels
Worth considering Shiancoe, EJ Henderson, Tyrell Johnson and Fred Evans
you look to upgrade, but if there is nothing there you try to resign what you have. Shiancoe if not too much would be my priority of this list. I don’t think we will find anyone else as good, that is ready to play.
QB Sage Rosenfels – KEEP
WR Devin Aromashodu – RESIGN
WR Greg Camarillo – CUT
TE Jimmy Kleinsasser – ALREADY RETIRED
TE Visanthe Shiancoe – RESIGN
OL Scott Kooistra – KEEP FOR DEPTH
DT Fred Evans – CUT
DT Letroy Guion – CUT
LB Xavier Adibi – KEEP FOR DEPTH
LB E.J. Henderson – CUT UNLESS THERE IS NOTHING BETTER
LB Erin Henderson – KEEP
CB Benny Sapp – CUT
S Husain Abdullah – KEEP UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING BETTER
S Tyrell Johnson – CUT
S Jarrad Page – KEEP FOR DEPTH
LS Matt Katula – CUT