2021 Offseason Discussion - Free Agency and Roster Moves

Who said it was a secret? The NFL has been found guilty, of unfair trade practices and using monopoly power, in federal court. So we should ignore it? It isn't topical on a football forum? It doesn't matter because most people don't understand how price inflation works? It makes no difference because there are other monopolies? You sound more like an NFL owner defending the system than a fan and consumer.

It'd be fine if they picked up him after he was cut, but with the deal he's on, they definitely shouldn't trade for him (he'd be owed $12.1M after a trade, which is ridiculous for barely playing the last two years). 

The OG market this offseason is going to be set by Joe Thuney since he's the highest valued available. Spotrac has his market value at approx $15m per season and it's possible he gets it. 

Since Zeitler has been reliable (not missing a game the past 2 years in NYG) and playing at a solid level (not quite Pro Bowl/All-Pro, but solid) - very similar to Thuney - if I was him and his agent I would wait until Thuney signs and then go right after him. Zeitler won't command the $15m per season that Thuney will, but his agent won't be too far behind that number. 

If you look at the highest OG's signed last offseason - Andrus Peat, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Graham Glasgow & Ereck Flowers - they were all in that $10m per season range. All of them are younger (upper 20's compared to Zeitler who's 31), but they weren't as good as Zeitler, either. 

I would guess Zeitler would be between $10m - $15m per season, possibly $11m or $12m per. 

I know Rick will make a play for Thuney this offseason, but I can't see us paying that much for an OG. Plus, Zeitler isn't exactly a great "fit" for our wide-zone scheme, either; he was the best OL with the Giants and they run power/gap.

Vikings released Reiff clearing $11M+ in cap space.
Cleveland moved to LT?!

Honestly, I want no part of Easton on our OL, even as a vet minimum depth guy - he very well may be starting to enter Dakota Dozier level of play. I'd rather have Bret Jones as our flex OG/C backup/depth player.

I'd sign Forrest Lamp for cheap to compete for the starting LG spot (injuries early plagued his start w/ Chargers, but played reasonably well in 2020 in his first year starting) to at least have a reasonable "hedge" against not being able to land a solid LG in the Draft, either that or Matt Feiler if you can get him for $5m a season or less. Then there's no any "overreaching" for someone in the early rounds...it's always best to go BPA if you can.

There's more to it than fit,especially for a declining player who's about to celebrate his 33rd birthday. You have to pay him $14.7M in 2021 and $16M in 2022,which the Vikings can't afford.

If you want to go after a Bengals player,FA Carl Lawson is the one to go hard at. He's 26,on the way up and knows the system. OTC has a valuation of $11.65M,and you can make that work if the deal is structured right. Rob B should be able to take care of that.
The downside is there will be a lot of competition.