Days after George Paton’s introductory press conference, I took a look at the draft history of the Minnesota Vikings during his tenure. I did so in part because while he didn’t have final say on the decisions, he worked under Rick Spielman so long that certain trends may emerge. Today, I thought it’d be a fruitful endeavor to pivot to the Vikings’ free agent signings over the same time frame.
It’s important to keep in mind that Paton has inherited a completely different personnel department than Minnesota’s. The game has also evolved in recent years, with more and more emphasis placed on the passing game. On top of all that, Fangio’s defense will have different needs than Mike Zimmers’.
Because of these factors, it’s hard to say with certainty if the Vikings’ free agent decisions since 2007 will be an informative predictor of the Broncos’ moves this year. At least right now, it’s also difficult to say they won’t be.
For the purpose of this exercise, I’m looking at the major free agent acquisitions and notable extensions as this will provide some idea as to how the Vikings chose to allocate resources. In order to maintain some degree of sanity, this is not an exhaustive list. I didn’t dig too deep into the fliers Minnesota took on bubble players, as every NFL team constantly churns the bottom of the roster. However, I did make a point to add a date when the transaction occurred, so if you see multiple years it’s because the player received multiple contracts.
There are a few exceptions such as Case Keenum, but my goal is to try to pin down what sort of “aggressive, but not reckless” decisions we can expect from Paton over his tenure in Denver.
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Specialists
- K Dan Bailey (2018/2019/2020)
- P Britton Colquitt (2019)
- K Kai Forbath (2018)
- P Ryan Quigley (2017)
- K Blair Walsh (2015)
- Not a free agent acquisition, but looking at this list reminded me how the Vikings also traded a 5th round pick to the Ravens for Kaare Vedvik in 2019. He didn’t make the roster.
August 11th: Ravens trade kicker Kaare Vedvik to Vikings for fifth-round pick
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) March 15, 2020
August 31st: Vikings release Kaare Vedvik
March 15th: Ravens send fifth-round pick to Jaguars for 5X Pro Bowler Calais Campbell pic.twitter.com/JJyjaVi02d
Defensive backs
- CB Terrance Newman (2015/2016/2017)
- S Andrew Sendejo (2016)
- CB Marcus Sherels (2014/2016)
- CB Captain Munnerlyn (2014)
- S Jamarca Sanford (2013)
- CB Lito Sheppard (2010)
- CB Benny Sapp (2008/2009/2011)
- CB Karl Paymah (2009)
- CB Cedric Griffin (2009)
- CB Antoine Winfield Sr. (2009)
- S Madieu Williams (2008)
- If you read the last Paton’s Spaces, you already know the Vikings have used more picks in rounds 1-3 on cornerback than any other position group during Paton’s tenure. Minnesota has placed a huge emphasis on defensive backs since 2007.
#Vikings have re-signed CB Terrance Newman to a 1-year deal. When the season starts, he’ll be 40 years old. Still playing at a high level.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) April 30, 2018
Linebackers
- LB/ED Anthony Barr* (2019)
- LB Chad Greenway (2011/2014/2016)
- LB Emmanuel Lamur (2016)
- LB Erin Henderson (2012/2013)
- LB Heath Farwell (2008/2009)
- Minnesota drafted Greenway with the 17th pick of the 2006 draft, so Paton inherited him.
- Henderson joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008.
- If you read the last Paton’s Places, you’ll already know this: Since 2007, the Vikings only ever spent two picks in the first three rounds on linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr*. When you factor in picks on the third day of the draft, the Vikings have spent 13 draft picks on linebackers since 2007.
*The Vikings have run a 4-3 system during Barr’s time in Minnesota so I chose to count him here.
After mulling this since yesterday, Anthony Barr called the #Jets to say he's out, then called the #Vikings to say he's in. Sources say there's still work to do on Barr's contract in Minnesota, but this is expected to happen. Stability for Barr and Mike Zimmer's D.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2019
Edge
- The Vikings drafted Robison in the fourth round of the 2007 draft.
- Everson Griffen was a fourth round pick in the 2010 draft. When he signed his five-year extension worth $42.5 million including $20 million guaranteed, it marked his first opportunity as a full-time starter.
- In 2008, the Vikings made a blockbuster deal with the Kansas City Chiefs for Jared Allen. As part of the trade, they gave Allen a six-year deal worth $72.36 million, a record-setting deal at the time it was signed.
The most an NFL team has surrendered for a defensive player is when Vikings traded a 1, two 3’s and a swap of 5’s to Chiefs for DE Jared Allen. Bears trade for Khalil Mack, when it gets done, will top that, making it the most an NFL team has surrendered for a defensive player.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2018
Defensive Line
- DT Michael Pierce (2020)
- DT Sheldon Richardson (2018)
- DT Shamar Stephen (2019)
- DT/DE Datone Jones (2017)
- DT Linval Joseph (2014)
- DT Letroy Guion (2012)
- DT Jimmy Kennedy (2008/2009)
- Stephen is the only one of the Vikings’ draft picks to make this list.
5 most team-friendly deals among NFL interior defenders, including Linval Joseph's contract with the #Vikings: https://t.co/XvS5kNNmNG
— PFF (@PFF) July 5, 2016
Wide Receivers
- WR Adam Thielen (2017)
- WR Jerome Simpson (2012/2013/2014)
- WR Greg Jennings (2013)
- WR Bernard Berrian (2008)
- WR Bobby Wade (2007)
- Police confiscated a package containing 2.5 lbs. of marijuana shipped from California to Jerome Simpson’s home in September of 2011. It led to an indictment in January and Simpson was sentenced to jail on April 5th, 2012. Once released, he signed with the Vikings on April 24th.
- Jennings left the division rival Packers. So did Berrian.
- Thielen was an undrafted steal.
Free agent WR Jerome Simpson, recently convicted of marijuana charges, is visiting the #Vikings today. On 4/20. #thejokesjustwritethemselves
— Daily Norseman, Skolcially Distancing Since '06 (@DailyNorseman) April 20, 2012
Offensive Line
- G Josh Kline (2019)
- OT Riley Reiff (2017)
- G Mike Remmers (2017)
- G Alex Boone (2016)
- T Andre Smith (2016)
- C John Sullivan (2015)
- G Charlie Johnson (2014)
- T Phil Loadholt (2013)
- Reiff will count for $14.95 million against the cap this season.
- Remmers signed a five-year contract, played one season at right tackle before sliding inside to guard. He played in Minnesota for two seasons.
- Boone signed a four-year contract and lasted one season.
- Sullivan was a 6th round pick in 2008 who wound up playing most of his extension with the Vikings.
- Loadholt was a 2nd round pick in 2009.
- If you’ve kept up with Paton’s Places, you already know the Paton Vikings only took four tackles on the first two days of the draft.
Given the benefits of a fifth year option vs the relative cost at each position, the Broncos would be wise to consider a trade back up into the first round if Paton likes any of the edge or tackle prospects.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) January 15, 2021
Tight Ends / Fullbacks
- TE Kyle Rudolph (2014/2019)
- TE Rhett Ellison (2016)
- FB Zach Line (2013/2016)
- FB Jerome Felton (2012/2013)
- TE John Carlson (2012)
- TE Jim Kleinsasser (2009)
- FB Naufahu Tahi (2009)
- FB Thomas Tapeh (2008)
- TE Visanthe Shianco (2007)
- Released this week, Rudolph was drafted in the second round in 2011 and played for Pat Shurmur when he coordinated the Vikings’ offense.
Kyle Rudolph's release saves the #Vikings a little over $5 million in cap space and $8M in cash in 2021. After a decade in Minnesota, Rudolph is a free agent for the first time at age 31.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 2, 2021
Running backs
- Hicks signed a three-year deal to serve as Minnesota’s kick return specialist. He was cut after one season.
Latavius Murray, pending free agent: “I’d love to be back here to compete. .. But I know there’s a business side to it. We’ll see what happens.” #Vikings
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) December 31, 2018
Quarterbacks
- QB Kirk Cousins (2018)
- QB Case Keenum (2017)
- QB Shaun Hill (2015)
- QB Matt Cassel (2013/2014)
- QB Josh Freeman (2013)
- QB Sage Rosenfels (2009/2012)
- QB Brett Favre (2009)
- QB Gus Frerotte (2008)
- Keenum signed a one-year contract worth less than one million dollars to serve as the Vikings’ backup. An injury to Sam Bradford and questions about Teddy Bridgewater’s health pushed him into a starting role. He played so well that John Elway signed him to a two-year, $36 million contract.
- The off-season following Keenum’s Minnesota Miracle, the Vikings signed Kirk Cousins to a fully guaranteed $84 million contract.
- Rosenfels was originally brought in to compete with Tarvaris Jackson for the QB1 job. When the Vikings signed Favre, it made their previous signing expendable and he was subsequently traded to the New York Giants.
Not sure I've seen anyone point this out, but the #MinneapolisMiracle wasn't the first time the Vikings ran that play and saw Case Keenum throw a miracle touchdown pass to Diggs on third down.
— Nick Olson (@NickOlsonNFL) January 15, 2018
Who could have guessed it was foreshadowing one of the greatest plays in NFL history? pic.twitter.com/6UBH69DyXk
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