Which free agents should the Minnesota Vikings bring back?
The Minnesota Vikings are in a weird position this offseason. They will be entering the 2022 season with a new head coach and general manager. Depending on how this new regime views this roster, they can decide to go all-in or rebuild.
For this article, we’re going to assume Minnesota does a quick retool.
- Sean Mannion, QB:
If Cousins returns, then the Vikings should utilize Kellen Mond as the primary backup. We saw enough of Mannion over the last few years, and his latest performance against the Green Bay Packers was the nail in the coffin.
Verdict: Do not re-sign
- Wayne Gallman, RB:
If they feel he has value on the practice squad, then by all means go for it. But they could find more value through the draft or free agency.
Verdict: Do not re-sign
- Dede Westbrook, WR:
Westbrook was a bit of a disappointment and didn’t make much of an impact. He registered 211 snaps but caught 10 passes for 68 yards. Expectations were a lot higher when he signed with Minnesota, but it’s time to move on.
Verdict: Do not re-sign
- Chad Beebe, WR:
This one is tough because, for a lot of Viking fans, Beebe holds a soft spot in their heart. However, he’s coming off a foot surgery in which he missed the 2021 NFL season. There might be some lingering issues long-term, and he was never good enough to warrant another extension.
Verdict: Do not re-sign
- Chris Herndon, TE:
I bet the Vikings regret trading for Herndon earlier this season. Once it was known that Minnesota would be without Irv Smith Jr. for the season, they immediately scoured the trade market for more depth. This organization has always valued two tight ends, but Herndon didn’t play well and didn’t get much playing time.
Verdict: Do not re-sign
- Tyler Conklin, TE:
There was always a lot to like about Conklin, and this was the year he put it all together. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft but wasn’t given much of an opportunity until this season.
Conklin played well this year, finishing with 61 catches for 593 yards and three touchdowns. He might ask for a lot of money this offseason, but they should look to bring him back.
Verdict: Re-sign him
- Rashod Hill, T:
Hill isn’t a starter, but he’s a capable backup. He’s good depth, he knows the organization, and you know what you’re getting when he plays. If Minnesota can lock him up on a cheap contract, then I think they should go for it.
Verdict: Re-sign him
- Mason Cole, C:
Cole didn’t make an appearance until later in the season when the Vikings benched Garrett Bradbury. However, Cole made the most of his opportunity and looked pretty good. He finished with a Pro Football Focus grade of 69.8, which rated a lot better than most of the other linemen on the roster.
Verdict: Re-sign
- Sheldon Richardson, DT:
Richardson had success with the Vikings in his first season with the organization. However, his second go-around wasn’t the same, but he did finish with 2.5 sacks.
Verdict: Do not re-sign
- Everson Griffen, DE:
I wish nothing but the best for Griffen, mental health is a serious thing, and he should put that first over football. With that said, the Vikings are probably going to go in a different direction.
Verdict: Do not re-sign
- Anthony Barr, OLB:
The Vikings selected Barr with the ninth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and he’s had a lot of ups and downs. He’s been nominated to four Pro Bowls, but he’s missed a lot of time due to injuries. He did take a pay cut last offseason, but he’s never been a team-first player in that sense.
With how talented he is, he takes too many plays off. Eric Wilson did very well in his place last season, and I would have preferred him over Barr. However, I’m intrigued with how he’d play in a 3-4 defense. The Vikings have been misusing him over the last eight years and this could rejuvenate his career.
With this new defensive scheme, he could reach close to 10 sacks a season.
Verdict: Re-sign
- Nick Vigil, ILB:
Vigil started most of the games this season and didn’t make as big of an impact as he did in Week 1.
The veteran racked up 85 tackles in 16 games, including one sack. If he returns for relatively cheap, I’d like to have him on the roster.
Verdict: Re-sign
- Patrick Peterson, CB:
I’m 50/50 on this one. Part of me would like Peterson back next season because he’s a veteran, and he wasn’t awful. If Minnesota runs it back again, he’d be an obvious candidate to return.
However, he’ll be 32 by the start of next season, and he was plagued with an injury last year. He was the best corner on the team, but that’s not saying much. If it wasn’t for the pick-six in Week 18, Peterson would have finished the season without an interception for the first time in his career.
He finished with a PFF grade of 63.0 (56th/116).
Verdict: Re-sign
- Xavier Woods, SS:
Woods had a good start to the season with the Vikings, but as the year went on, it was clear he was no longer a fit with this team. Camryn Bynum deserves to take his place moving forward.
Despite finishing with three interceptions, Woods was prone to giving up a lot of big plays. If he signs for a cheap one-year deal, then I’d be good with him returning.
Verdict: Do not re-sign
- Mackensie Alexander, CB:
I think it’s fair to say that the Alexander experiment didn’t work. It was a great storyline heading into the season, but his second go-around with the Vikings was a disappointment.
The Former Clemson Tiger finished with a PFF grade of 40.2. With Zimmer gone, it’s likely Alexander follows.
Verdict: Do not re-sign
- Jordan Berry, P:
Unless the Vikings can draft the punter out of San Diego State, bringing back Berry would be in their best interest. While he’s not the best punter in the NFL, he’s also not the worst. Team Rankings has his value at 78, which places him fifth in the league.
Verdict: Re-sign
- Greg Joseph, K:
The Vikings finally found a kicker who doesn’t miss every kick. Sure, he’s missed some big kicks, but for the most part, you feel pretty good about his chances.
They don’t have to sign him to a long-term deal, but maybe a one- or two-year deal will suffice. This season Joseph made 86.8 percent of his kicks and 90.0 percent of extra points.
Verdict: Re-sign
