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There is still a plethora of remarkable and affordable free agents available on the open market, but for the Minnesota Vikings and other teams in the league, the conversation has returned to the NFL Draft.
Most of the eyes moved for two weeks to free agency as legal forgery and the official free agency started the week of March 15e.
For general manager Rick Spielman, the focus should now be on offensive linemen – if the Vikings no longer make any move to take the job. Right now, the best offensive line Minnesota could put on the field is: (LT) Rashod Hill, (LG) Mason Cole, (C) Garrett Bradbury, (RG) Ezra Cleveland, (RT) Brian O’Neill.
There’s a small chance this lineup might not be horrendous, but the Five would be among the least fearsome in the league compared to 31 other NFL franchises.
Additionally, it is rumored that the Vikings are still in talks on extensions with safety Harrison Smith and defensive end Danielle Hunter. If either or both materialize, the Vikings will have more 2021 free agent money to spend on offensive linemen like Eric Fisher or Austin Blythe.
Are the rest of the pundit community planning for Minnesota to grab an offensive lineman?
Sorta.
Pro Football Network = Gregory Rousseau, EDGE (Miami)
Professional football network mocks a familiar face of the Vikings in their latest predictions. Rousseau was “the guy” from Minnesota by consensus for most of February.
Rousseau would make Minnesota’s defensive trenches look like this: (DE) Danielle Hunter, (NT) Michael Pierce, (DT) Dalvin Tomlinson, (DE) Gregory Rousseau. It’s hard to laugh at.
Here’s what PFN’s Ryan Gosling (yes, that’s his name) says about Rousseau to the Vikings at # 14:
“The Minnesota Vikings need some help on the defensive line in the 2021 NFL Draft. With a lack of free agent signings and Danielle Hunter’s future with the team in the air, the Vikings bring to Miami Gregory Rousseau hoping to get some kind of pressure on opposing QBs. Rousseau had 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2019, but he didn’t play in 2020. Nonetheless, he’s an immediate upgrade from anything Minnesota has currently.
Sports News = Micah Parsons, LB (Penn St.)
Parsons in 14th place is interesting as it charts life after Anthony Barr while also giving the Vikings a delicious trio of Eric Kendricks, Barr and Parsons for 2021.
Linebacker Nick Vigil was recruited through a free agency by Spielman to replace Eric Wilson or be the team’s main reserve linebacker. Wilson has yet to be signed for 2021 by any NFL team.
Parsons’ writing is appealing as he presents himself as the first non-EDGE linebacker to leave the board. Parsons’ choice is also mixed with Best player available philosophy of the project.
Vinnie Iyer from Sports news said about Parson to the Vikings:
“Parsons’ stock is not going down; it is the fact that the teams that choose before the Vikings are not totally comfortable for this position compared to other needs. He remains a relentless and well-covering cleaning man, a slender playmaker in the revolutionary mold of Luke Kuechly. Minnesota could go in other directions, including the offensive line and the pass rush, but they ultimately pick the best player available who can maintain the youth’s defensive movement and play inside or outside. especially with an Anthony Barr in 2022.
The Network Project = Alijah Vera-Tucker (OL)
This one is probably the most realistic on March 28.e because the Vikings don’t have any bootable guards on the roster. With each passing day and Spielman failing to sign a free agency guard – the more likely the draft will be an offensive lineman heavy test.
Vera-Tucker would start on day one – somewhere – on the Viking line. And even though Vera-Tucker is the 1st-Round selection, the Vikings will likely stock linemen in the final rounds of the draft as this is the shallowest spot on the depth map.
The recognition report on Vera-Tucker by TDN:
“Alijah Vera-Tucker has lined up mainly on the left tackle this season for the Trojans attack. He has exceptional athleticism, as evidenced by his balance and body control in his passing game. He is an easy engine that demonstrates his athleticism in the passing game, especially in his kick slide. He plays very competitively when he is rushed. In the running game, he comes out of the strong ball to hit and he excels in putting his body in favorable positions. He played this year at left tackle which gave him much more value due to his ability to play that position in a pinch to the next level.
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