Minnesota’s Free Agency Deals From Worst to Best (pt. 1)
K. Joudry
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For the most part, Minnesota’s fanbase is moving its collective attention away from the free agency deals and toward the draft. At Purple PTSD, we’ve similarly been committing to the draft, as the new draft section along the top of the homepage demonstrates.
That being said, we ought not overlook free agency. In fact, it will extend not only up to but also after the draft. Who teams choose and, perhaps more importantly, don’t choose will impact the free agency market. One thinks of J.C. Tretter and the Vikings’ need at center. If they opt for Tyler Linderbaum, then Tretter will almost certainly sign elsewhere. If they miss on a high-end iOL prospect, might the the Vikings look to circle back on Tretter? It’d be a possibility.
The point I’m trying to make, folks, is that free agency is still important, and Minnesota’s leadership may still be interested in more deals. Below, you’ll find an initial, incomplete evaluation of what the team has done so far. To help with the details, I’ve turned to Pro Football Reference, Pro Football Focus, and Over the Cap.
Jesse Davis, OL
A veteran offensive lineman with position versatility is a good thing. Teams are wise to bring them aboard. The main issue, of course, rests in the cost to do so.
Minnesota’s decision to sign Davis to one of the more expensive deals of their free agency period is peculiar. He’ll carry a $2.25 million cap hit in 2022. By no means is this a prohibitive number. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can still make other moves. Nevertheless, it’s a fair bit, especially since there is a void year that leaves behind $750,000 in dead money for 2023.
Last season, Davis finished as the 79th tackle out of 83 in the PFF rankings. His 52.5 score is worse than Garrett Bradbury’s at center. The deal suggests Davis is the frontrunner for the RG spot or, at least, the main backup OT. I’m ranking Davis as the worst deal of free agency, but I’ve been wrong far more than I’d care to admit. Hopefully, Davis ends up proving me wrong.
Johnny Mundt, TE
It’s tough to be overly negative about this one. A former Ram, Mundt will compete for a depth spot on the Vikings roster.
He will go against Zach Davidson and Ben Ellefson during the offseason. Irv Smith Jr. – provided his health is where it ought to be – will be the team’s TE1. Don’t be surprised if the team looks to the middle rounds of the draft to bring in someone more dynamic for that TE2 spot.
Mundt carries a $1.185 million cap hit in 2022 and a $1.23 million hit in 2023. Cutting him this year leaves behind $200,000 in dead money.
Austin Schlottmann, iOL
The team needs more talent along their offensive line, especially along the interior. Schlottmann will be in the mix for backup duties.
He’s 27 and has been in the NFL since 2018. So far, he’s has been a depth option, accumulating 7 starts in his 42 active games with the Broncos. His PFF grade, though only for 52 offensive snaps, was a meagre 44.3 last season.
Cutting him clears his entire $965,000 cap hit.
Nate Hairston, CB
I put Hairston at a better position on the list at least partly due to positional need. OL is a need for the Vikings; corner is the need for the Vikings.
Hairston was chosen in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. Since coming into the league, he has played for the Colts, Jets, and Broncos. He thus has a history with Ed Donatell, the Vikings’ defensive coordinator.
Last year, he logged some significant snaps in all phases of special teams. He also lined up in the slot for 105 snaps, and he played 22 out wide. He put together a 73.3 PFF grade in that time, with a 76.0 score in pass coverage.
He carries a $920,000 cap hit and none of it is guaranteed. The modest deal and potential to contribute as defensive depth and as a special teams stalwart makes Hairston one of Minnesota’s more intriguing free agency deals.
Purple PTSD Also Read: J.C. Tretter is Still a Free Agent
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