2021 Offseason Discussion - Free Agency and Roster Moves

1. Their biggest free-agent signing will be an offensive lineman

Granted, I don’t expect the Vikings to have any truly big free-agent signings. Their salary cap situation doesn’t allow for that. But it is possible (and perhaps even probable) that their starting left guard in 2021 is someone they sign in March. While it may not feel like it, they have used a draft pick in the first two rounds on offensive linemen in each of the past three seasons, taking Brian O’Neill No. 62 overall in 2018, Garrett Bradbury No. 18 overall in 2019, and Ezra Cleveland No. 58 overall in 2020.

Because of that, the Vikings may use their premier draft picks on other positions come the draft in April. Instead, they may turn to free agency to find Dakota Dozier’s replacement. It’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to afford the top options like Joe Thuney. But as Arif noted last week, Cam Robinson, David Andrews and Jon Feliciano could all be options.

The Vikings won’t be active in free agency. I’d imagine they sign a cheap safety, wide receiver and defensive tackle. That makes this prediction a bit of a low bar to clear. But I’d bet the most money they give out in free agency goes to an offensive lineman.

2. They extend Harrison Smith

There aren’t a whole lot of ways that the Vikings can gain 2021 cap space outside of outright cutting players. But Smith poses one opportunity. He has one year remaining on his contract which comes with no guaranteed money.

So it could be a win-win if the Vikings reached an extension with Smith that offered the player guaranteed money and offered the team a lower 2021 cap hit. Plus, the Vikings are already likely replacing Anthony Harris at one of the safety spots, so having some security at the other would be nice.

Smith, who turns 32 next month, may not be the No. 1 safety in the NFL anymore. But he’s still very good and a valuable member of a young secondary.

10. Brian O’Neill gets a lucrative extension

This one likely won’t take place until August, but with only one year remaining on his contract, O’Neill has reached the point where the Vikings extend a lot of their talented players. O’Neill didn’t take the step from a good right tackle to an elite one this season, something coaches hoped for, but he’s still a good starter for a team that hasn’t had too many on the offensive line.

The Vikings will have to figure out their long-term cap situation, which they’re working on right now. But there’s no reason to think they’d play hard-ball with O’Neill, 25, and wait to extend him. Typically, these deals get done shortly after training camp begins.