The Minnesota Vikings are in a tough spot entering the 2021 NFL offseason.
On the one hand, the Vikings have the No. 14 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, seemingly giving them options in the event they want to trade back or package said pick. Minnesota will also hope impact defensive players like Danielle Hunter and Anthony Barr are healthy and ready to go.
Then again, Minnesota ranks toward the bottom of the NFL in salary cap space, per Over The Cap. The Vikings could face a tough choice on Barr in the event he refuses to restructure his contract, and Hunter might have excessive contract demands, in spite of missing the entirety of the 2020 season.
Cutting Barr and moving Hunter might be a way for the Vikings to remedy some of their salary cap issues while also accruing future draft capital. But it would also rob Minnesota of two top defensive players.
Regardless of how general manager Rick Spielman proceeds, the Vikings are likely going to make fringe additions this offseason due to the cap inflexibility. There are other moves that would help provide immediate cap, like cutting tight end Kyle Rudolph. But these moves are not likely to result in Minnesota signing a top free agent.
With all these things in mind, here are three guys the Vikings could look to target in free agency this spring.
3. Tashaun Gipson
Free safety Anthony Harris will be a free agent, and it seems highly unlikely the Vikings even try to re-sign him in free agency.
Harris tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions last season and also recorded 11 passes defended in 14 games. He was one of the most valuable defenders in football last season, per Pro Football Focus WAR. Harris was still tremendous in coverage this past year, though he was less of a playmaker. Still, he figures to get a lucrative contract.
Minnesota will not be in the market to re-sign Harris, who could be among the most valuable defensive backs available. Replacing him with a veteran seems to be the likelier option, and Gipson would be a nice addition if he can be had for cheap.
The former Pro Bowler had a nice season with the Chicago Bears. Gipson had a pair of interceptions and tallied seven passes defended. He also had an excellent playoff showing against the New Orleans Saints, recording eight combined tackles and a sack to go along with a forced fumble.
Gipson is far from spectacular, but he can play both safety positions and has pretty consistently shown the ability to disrupt opposing passing games in coverage. Never a bad thing to get a guy who generates takeaways, either. Gipson could be a good addition next to Harrison Smith.
2. Josh Reynolds
The Vikings have a pair of legitimate stars at the wide receiver position in Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. But there is little depth.
Chad Beebe and Olabisi Johnson are not exactly ideal options as No. 3 receivers, especially if the Vikings hope for Kirk Cousins to take another step forward in making Minnesota a bit more dangerous in the passing game. Cousins would benefit from a deeper receiving corps, which means Spielman might pursue upgrades in free agency.
If Josh Reynolds proves to be a relatively cost-effective option, the Vikings should snatch him up.
Reynolds saw far more involvement with the Los Angeles Rams this past season, playing 72 percent of the offensive snaps. He finished 2020 with 52 receptions for 618 yards and has also shown he is capable of being a deep threat.
The 25-year-old averaged 13.9 yards per reception and had five touchdowns in 2018, then averaged 15.5 yards per reception in 2019. Reynolds took a step back in that department this season, averaging 11.9 yards per catch. But he had a career-high 64.2 catch percentage and also posted the lowest drop rate of his career.
Reynolds is a guy who can hit home runs over the top of defenses and competes for the catch. Considering Thielen can line up all over the field and in the slot, Reynolds might thrive on the outside in an offense that often prioritizes the play-action passing game.
1. Jon Feliciano
Minnesota's top free-agent addition could very well be in the trenches. The Vikings could use some help at defensive tackle, and they also need options at the offensive guard spot.
Dakota Dozier is a free agent, and the Vikings might need to look elsewhere. Dozier can play tackle and also spent 2020 at guard, but also has relatively limited starting experience.
Feliciano is a decent option if Minnesota looks for an external addition. He can play guard or center, and he looked pretty strong in his return from a torn pectoral down the stretch. Feliciano had also shown tremendous signs in Oakland despite being stuck behind Pro Bowl guards like Rodney Hudson and Kelechi Osemele.
The 28-year-old can run and pass block, and he did not allow a single sack last season in 571 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Feliciano also had just two penalties.
Minnesota could use that kind of steadiness up front as the Vikings hope to continue implementing a balanced offensive attack. A veteran like David Andrews could be another option here.
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