sign in sign up
<<
Home , Bucky Brooks, Captain Munnerlyn, Eric Smith (safety), Gerald Hodges, Quinton Spain, Roc Thomas

DAILY CLIPS

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019 LOCAL NEWS: Friday, March 8, 2019

Pioneer Press

Vikings’ Tom Johnson could start again if Sheldon Richardson isn’t re-signed By Chris Tomasson https://www.twincities.com/2019/03/07/vikings-tom-johnson-could-start-again-if-sheldon-richardson-isnt-re- signed/

Star Tribune

NFL Draft's 'outstanding' defensive line class draws Vikings' attention By Andrew Krammer http://www.startribune.com/nfl-drafts-outstanding-defensive-line-class-draws-vikings-attention/506819402/

Viking Update

New offense should benefit Cook By Tim Yotter https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Dalvin-Cook-should-benefit-from-Minnesota-Vikings- new-offense-129814907/

Vikings met with ‘difference-maker in wide zone system’ By Tim Yotter https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Minnesota-Vikings-met-with-difference-maker-in-wide- zone-system-129821349/

SKOR North

Playing the choose-your-own-adventure game with Vikings free agency By Matthew Coller https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019/03/playing-the-choose-your-own-adventure-game-with-vikings- free-agency/

NATIONAL NEWS: Friday, March 8, 2019

ESPN

Is Year 2 always better? Vikings believe it will be for By Courtney Cronin http://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/28228/why-vikings-believe-year-2-will-be-better-for- kirk-cousins

Sports Illustrated

Anthony Barr’s Versatility Will Help Him Fit in With Nearly Any Defense By Conor Orr https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/03/06/nfl-free-agency-anthony-barr-vikings

USA Today

Vikings RB Roc Thomas charged with felony marijuana possession By the AP https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/03/07/vikings-rb-thomas-charged-with-felony-marijuana- possession/39162163/

MULTIMEDIA LINKS: Friday, March 8, 2019

Roc Thomas Charged With Marijuana Possesion WCCO http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=aa9cb9d7-8e51-4d16-8af5-627943534227

P.A., Leber Break Down Their Top 5 Takeaways From Combine Week Vikings Entertainment Network https://www.vikings.com/video/p-a-leber-break-down-their-top-5-takeaways-from-combine-week

Winning Formula: How Will The Vikings Attack Free Agency and The Draft? Vikings Entertainment Network https://www.vikings.com/video/winning-formula-how-will-the-vikings-attack-free-agency-and-the-draft

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: Friday, March 8, 2019

NFL.com’s Top 101 Free Agents: A Look at 61-70 By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/nfl-com-s-top-101-free-agents-a-look-at-61-70

Lunchbreak: Zimmer Listed in Top 10 Rankings By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/lunchbreak-zimmer-listed-in-top-10-head-coach-rankings

NFL.com’s Top 101 Free Agents: A Look at 71-80 By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/nfl-com-s-top-101-free-agents-a-look-at-71-80

Prospect Profile: Mississippi OT Greg Little By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/prospect-profile-mississippi-ot-greg-little

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 3/8/19

Vikings’ Tom Johnson could start again if Sheldon Richardson isn’t re-signed

By Chris Tomasson

If the Vikings don’t re-sign their 2018 starter at three-technique defensive , they could turn to their 2017 starter.

Sheldon Richardson, who started all 16 games last season, is bound for free agency after playing on a one- year, $8 million deal — and Minnesota might not be able to afford bringing him back. Tom Johnson, the 2017 starter who rejoined the Vikings early last season after a short stint with Seattle, also will be a free agent but at a much more affordable price.

“I’ve got interest from (the Vikings to re-sign),” Johnson said in a phone interview. “I definitely would like to return, but you just never know how free agency is going to unfold.”

Johnson, who turns 35 in August, would be willing to accept a one-year contract after free agency gets underway next Wednesday.

“I’m not looking for a multi-year deal,” he said. “I’m in a situation that I’m playing it by ear. … I’m going to see how things unfold.”

Johnson joined the Vikings in 2014 on a one-year minimum deal before signing a three-year, $7 million contract in March 2015. He signed a one-year, $2.1 million deal with Seattle last year before being released after one game, then signed a pro-rated one-year, $1 million contract with the Vikings for the final 14 games.

Johnson’s market value in free agency could be between $1 million and $2 million. Johnson declined to speculate on numbers but said he’s “not going to shortchange myself.”

After signing a one-year deal last season, Richardson, 28, is looking for a multi-year contract and a raise. With the Vikings’ salary-cap issues, coach Mike Zimmer spoke last week about Richardson and impending free- agent Anthony Barr, who made $12.3 million in 2018.

“We’d love to have them both back,” Zimmer said. “The question is where’s the market going to go? Can we afford them? If we can afford them, we’re going to bring them back. If we can’t afford them, we’re going to have to move on, unfortunately.”

Richardson has been a better player than Johnson, but Johnson did have his moments last season. On the field for 41 percent of the defensive snaps in the 13 Minnesota games he played, Johnson tied Richardson for third on the team with 4 1/2 sacks and was tied for fourth with seven tackles for loss.

“I played pretty decent on everything, pass and run,” Johnson said.

If the Vikings lose both Richardson and Johnson in free agency, the three-technique starting spot could be wide open. Jaleel Johnson, entering his third season, and , entering his second, are still raw. Minnesota also could look at an outside free agent.

Johnson said he played enough snaps last season that he was content to be in a reserve role. He has interest in returning to Minnesota regardless of whether Richardson comes back.

“I can’t control who they bring in,” Johnson said. “They’ll get to the point in talking about roles once free agency starts. If Sheldon comes back, Sheldon’s a good player and a good friend. If he doesn’t, they’ll discuss talking about roles.”

Johnson has changed agents since signing his last deal, going from Bardia Ghahremani to Jared Fox. Johnson didn’t elaborate on why he made the move, saying it was “just a change-up.”

Johnson has spent much of the offseason working out in Houston with James Cooper, the longtime trainer for former Vikings . In addition to Peterson, others in the program have included Minnesota defensive ends and Tashawn Bower. PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 3/8/19

NFL Draft's 'outstanding' defensive line class draws Vikings' attention

By Andrew Krammer

INDIANAPOLIS — The Vikings left the NFL scouting combine having made a strong impression on one of the many talented defensive linemen in a heralded NFL Draft class.

Versatile Texas defensive lineman Charles Omenihu, a projected mid-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, could be the Vikings’ next project for respected defensive line coach Andre Patterson.

“I definitely had a good feeling with the Ravens, Houston Texans, ; the Lions, Dolphins and the Chiefs,” Omenihu said. “Teams like that. Teams that can run multiple fronts that can put me in and out. Those are the teams I feel like are coming at me the hardest.”

The Vikings used one of their 60 formal interviews during the combine last week on Omenihu (6-5, 280 pounds), a freakish athlete with longer arms (36″) than Danielle Hunter. Omenihu is coming off a breakout senior season at Texas featuring 18 tackles for losses. He played multiple positions and said NFL teams asked him about playing both and three-technique .

A formal 15-minute interview doesn’t guarantee the Vikings’ interest come April, but they’re intrigued by this rookie D-line class. It’s considered one of the strongest positions in this year’s draft, according to NFL Media draft analyst .

The Vikings met with another late-round prospect, TCU defensive end L.J. Collier, during the Senior Bowl in January. Collier (6-2, 283 pounds) is more of a tweener whom analysts say could fare better as a defensive tackle in the NFL.

“Premier talent and depth at the defensive line position, inside, outside, it’s outstanding,” Jeremiah said, “and it carries deep into the draft.”

The Vikings could need help at both defensive end and defensive tackle, especially if Sheldon Richardson walks in free agency next week. Defensive end ’s future is uncertain with a $10.9 million salary that doesn’t become guaranteed until March 15. He could be let go, leaving the Vikings needing rotation help for Hunter and .

General manager Rick Spielman said his priority is finding which route — the draft or free agency — has the best value to bolster a position. The Vikings likely won’t be in the running for projected top-15 picks like Ohio State’s , Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat or Alabama’s , but a top talent could fall to their first-round pick at No. 18 or perhaps later in the draft.

“You’re looking at all the different buckets and you determine, ‘Well, could we potentially get a starter through the draft early in a round instead of going out and, say, spending eight gazillion dollars in free agency on that position?” Spielman said. “So a lot of it, you have to understand the strengths in each area and maybe you’re patient.” PUBLICATION: Viking Update DATE: 3/8/19

New offense should benefit Cook

By Tim Yotter

The addition of Gary Kubiak to the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive game-planning brain power is expected to help and the running backs.

Kubiak has a history of emphasizing strong running games and a persistence for them. In 10 of his 22 years as an offensive coordinator or head coach, his teams have ranked in the top five for rushing yards, and 14 of those 22 years his teams ranked in the top 10.

Most of the time, those teams have also ranked in the top five for rushing attempts. So what makes a good running game?

“Persistence … and a good runner,” said offensive line coach Rick Dennison, who has spent much of his career coaching under Kubiak. “We feel like we have that right there. And trying to marry play action with the run. Because those ingredients put pressure on the defense. If the breaks contain, who’s got him? There’s a lot of elements when you install a system. That’s what you’re trying to work on, making sure all of the pieces are taken care of. Trying not to slack and trying not to miss anything. Get your players to believe and execute.”

The Vikings, of course, know they need to improve their offensive line to make a drastic turnaround on their bottom-five ranking in the run game last year.

But, beyond the rushing attempts and yards, and the addition of Kubiak to help mentor Kevin Stefanski in his first year as offensive coordinator, the interesting part could be how the Vikings use Dalvin Cook.

Terrell Davis had 1,117 yards rushing and 367 receiving in Kubiak’s first year as offensive coordinator in Denver in 1995, and fullback Aaron Craver added 369 yards receiving. The next year, the receiving yards were similar for Davis and Craver, but Davis had 1,538 yards rushing and the Broncos’ running game was the best in the NFL. Davis had massive outputs in 1997 and ’98, rushing for 1,750 and 2,008 yards, respectively, but the backs weren’t used as much in the passing game. In 2000, Mike Anderson emerged for 1,487 yards rushing.

Eventually, Clinton Portis took over as the lead back and he rushed for 1,508 yards and had 364 yards receiving in 2002. The Broncos had three more consecutive seasons as a top-five rushing offense. Portis had 1,591 yards rushing and 314 receiving in 2003, Reuben Droughns had 1,240 and 241 in 2004, and then Mike Anderson (1,014 and 212) and Tatum Bell (921 and 104) split the duties in 2005.

With Kubiak working as the offensive coordinator under Mike Shanahan, he not only had a consistently strong rushing offense, but he learned the history of the plays that Bill Walsh passed down to Shanahan, and in turns to Kubiak. By now, you’ve probably heard how Zimmer feels about learning the history.

“I’ve been so impressed with the way the communication is going, the way that Gary talks about it,” Zimmer said. “It’s almost like romantic for me … that I can sit there and hear about Bill Walsh and that offense, and how it evolved to Mike Shanahan, and so on and so forth. For me as a football guy, all those things are just outstanding: how this came about, how that came about, how this play worked in this particular situation, and the way they’re putting this all together. I couldn’t be any happier with the way that situation’s been going.”

When Kubiak became the head coach of the Houston Texans in 2006, it took some time to build back to being a top rushing offense. After spending much of his first four years there with a running game ranked in the low 20s, the Texans were top 10 for three straight years, including second in 2011. During that season, Arian Foster had 1,224 yards rushing and 617 receiving, and Ben Tate added 942 yards rushing.

Cook, now entering his third season in the NFL, could be due for a breakout, not only as a running back but also a receiver.

“I think the big thing is you want five guys, five eligibles, that are difficult to defend. That can be in a variety of different ways, depending on who is covering them by week a lot of times,” receivers coach Drew Petzing said. “Whether it’s out of the backfield, whether it’s putting him on the line of scrimmage, pushing him down the field. I think there’s so many different ways to utilize guys like Dalvin and that type of player. Obviously, he’s an extremely talented player. The more he can do, I think the more dynamic it makes us as an offense.”

Health has been holding Cook back to this point. After a promising first month in the NFL in 2017, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Last year, he missed five games with a hamstring injury. Cook has apparently had the two most time-consuming injuries to rehab in the first two years of his career.

“I think he was frustrated because of the hamstring,” Zimmer said. “You know, one of the things, just sitting in a meeting the other day, the second-most time lost from any injury is the hamstring. For some reason that injury takes five or six weeks. Obviously, ACL is the No. 1. That’s the next longest missed time. So when a runner especially, these track guys, which Dalvin basically is, for them to get right just takes a long time typically. I think he was better in the second half of the year.”

He was. In the first half of the season, Cook missed five of eight games and didn’t run for more than 40 yards in the three games he played. He played in all eight of the final games, producing four games with 70 yards or more rushing, including one with 136 yards.

While his overall total of 615 yards rushing was unimpressive, he averaged a healthy 4.6 yards per carry behind an offensive line that left much to be desired. And, despite his limited playing time, he finished the season with 40 catches for 305 yards.

More of that could be coming in an offense coordinated by Stefanski and influenced by Kubiak. PUBLICATION: Viking Update DATE: 3/8/19

Vikings met with ‘difference-maker in wide zone system’

By Tim Yotter

As the Minnesota Vikings were in the midst of interviewing and analyzing draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine, they interviewed at least one center.

North Carolina State’s , who has played , defensive line, guard and finally center, said he had a formal interview with the Vikings. While Pat Elflein has been Minnesota’s starting center each of the last two years, Elflein also has the flexibility to play guard and was being considered for that position deep into training camp of his rookie season.

What’s thought-provoking about the Vikings’ interest in Bradbury is that he is considered a much better fit for a team running an outside zone scheme, which will be much of Minnesota’s primary running focus in 2019, than he is in a power running scheme. That comes directly from a long-time veteran of coaching offensive line in the NFL, Paul Alexander, who was the offensive line coach with the from 1994-2017, an incredible run of stability in the NFL.

“[Bradbury] did a terrific job at the combine,” Alexander tweeted. “He’s just as impressive on tape. He will be a fine NFL player in any scheme, but I think he should be a difference-maker in a wide zone system.”

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer inferred again last week that 2018 second-round pick Will Hernandez (selected by the ) didn’t fit the Vikings’ scheme as a power, straight-ahead guard. Bradbury, on the other hand, displayed his athleticism at the Scouting Combine last week.

He was third among offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash (4.92 seconds), seventh in the vertical jump (31 inches), first in the three-cone drill (7.41 seconds), sixth in the shuttle (4.53) and yet incredibly was also second in the bench press (34 reps).

Those traits and North Carolina State’s proximity to Charlotte – about 2½ hours away – have caused Bradbury to draw comparisons to former center Ryan Kalil, who announced his retirement following the 2018 season.

“They have their reasons,” Bradbury said of the comparison. “He’s just an unbelievable player. He just decided to stop playing because he was ready to stop playing, and that’s really rare in this league. To be compared with that name is just unbelievable. I don’t necessarily know their traits as to why, but that’s really humbling.”

Bradbury said the consistency of Kalil’s career stuck with him.

“From everything I hear, he’s just the same guy every day. Comes in to get better, great work ethic,” he said. “And he has really good body control on the field.”

Bradbury played two years of guard before being moved to center, but because of his athleticism and one of his weaknesses considered to be anchoring down, center is considered his best position by draft analysts.

“In pass protection, he too often sets his hands ‘backwards,’ meaning his outside hand is low and his inside hand is high, damping the defensive tackle’s shoulder,” Alexander, the offensive line coach, wrote in his evaluation. “This caused some ball-rush issues and also rendered him too slow to snap off twists. Because of his hand placement, he gets caught ‘walking back’ rather than anchoring properly by setting his feet.”

NFL Draft Scout had him rated as a third-round value and the No. 3 center in this draft, but that projection could be moving up after a strong showing in the timed events and bench press at the combine.

Draft analyst Dane Brugler, now with The Athletic, had Bradbury atop his ranking for all interior linemen, guards or centers, after he played the last two years without giving up a sack.

“Is a quick-twitch player with short-area quickness and explosiveness. Can accelerate in second-level space to ,” Alexander wrote. “Pulls with grace, ease, acceleration and athleticism. Smooth and able to adjust, not stiff at all. Sustains well. Plays with a tough, gritty demeanor.”

Said Bradbury: “I think it starts with my technique and athleticism, two of my biggest [strengths] and something I’ve worked at for two years. Athleticism, also something to be worked at, but also coming from tight end, there are a few things that carry over.”

Bradbury didn’t want to move from tight end when he entered college, but once at North Carolina State he was convinced to move to the defensive line to gain more snaps.

After playing both offense and defense in high school, a move to offensive line eventually got him the snaps he so desired with the Wolfpack. He started one year at guard and two years at center, which provides more of the mental challenges he appreciates.

“I love the game within the game and the pre-snap mental processing,” he said. “All of that comes from preparation. I like to be as calm as possible before games, because half of my game is played before the snap. IDs, protections, MIKE calls, stuff like that. So that’s your Sunday to Saturday preparation - watching film, going over the game plan with the coaches. I was really fortunate to have an awesome offensive line and running backs coach who I’d go over protections with.”

Despite that, he understands that versatility along the offensive line is valued in the NFL and is willing, and says he is able, to play any position on the line.

He says he has a little “nasty” to his game, but he also realizes it can get him in trouble at times.

“Something I want to improve on is my body control on the second level. I get too aggressive sometimes,” he said. “I get my helmet and my pads over my knees and hips, just keeping everything in good control. If you can get there in two small steps, that’s better than one big step. Just little technique things like that.”

With a revamped offensive coaching staff, the Vikings may be in a better position to correct technique this year, but they know they need upgrades on the offensive line and Bradbury is certainly one consideration for them, especially on the second day of April’s draft. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 3/8/19

Playing the choose-your-own-adventure game with Vikings free agency

By Matthew Coller

The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most interesting teams in the NFL to watch as we head into the free agency period. By next week, the team could either look much like the 2018 version or completely different. With so many balls in the air, let’s have a look at the domino effect of each potential move the Vikings could make when free agency opens on March 13…

If the Vikings can’t sign Anthony Barr to an extension then…. It appears highly likely that Barr will reach the market. The Vikings elected not to slap him with the franchise tag, which would have cost them in the range of $15 million to keep the 2014 first-round pick. That means they will have the choice between looking for a replacement in free agency, draft or on the current roster with Eric Wilson, who filled in for Barr and with either linebacker suffered injuries.

In free agency there are three prominent names that could be intriguing if the Vikings decide they want to invest heavily in the position. Jamie Collins was released by the Browns on Wednesday. He is more or less a Barr clone with his mix of size and athleticism. He is coming off back-to-back unsuccessful years in Cleveland, but with New England under a quality defensive coach, Collins proved to be a dynamic player.

KJ Wright (Seattle) and CJ Mosley (Baltimore) are the types of proven all-around linebackers who could even improve on what Barr did in the role. Neither is quite as effective as a pass rusher, but both are upgrades in coverage. Tampa Bay’s Kwon Alexander is a freakish athletic who hasn’t yet reached his full potential but will only be entering his age-25 season and could be looking for a Sheldon Richardson-style, short-term prove-it deal. Jordan Hicks of the Eagles is a terrific cover linebacker.

Those are the big names. If any of those players signed in Minnesota, it would more likely than not mean they were the big-ticket item of the offseason. If our scenario assumes there aren’t major overhauls in other places, the Vikings would simply be replacing one solid, expensive linebacker with another.

So the downside would be trying to find deals on the offensive line and at , where the Vikings clearly need to find a No. 3 option.

The cheaper route is not all that attractive. Role players like old friend Gerald Hodges, Pittsburgh’s LJ Fort, Detroit’s Eli Harold and Cincinnati’s Preston Brown don’t come close to giving the Vikings what they were getting from Barr in terms of a dynamic presence that opponents were forced to gameplan against.

If the Vikings trade Everson Griffen then…. The possibilities are endless.

One of them exists in Cleveland, where multiple reports stated that the Browns are interested in moving guard Kevin Zeitler. He carries a $12.4 million cap hit, but that would be canceled out in a Griffen ($11.7 million cap hit) trade.

Aditi Kinkhabwala ✔ @AKinkhabwala Don't be super surprised if the #Browns clear even more cap space and move G Kevin Zeitler. Told his name has been thrown around some. After all: it's the old regime that made him the highest paid guard, and this regime drafted Austin Corbett to be an interior OL.

Tom Pelissero ✔ @TomPelissero The #Browns now have over $80 million in 2019 cap space. Only the #Jets and #Colts (both $100M+) have more, with one week and plenty of moves to go before the league year begins.

1:56 PM - Mar 6, 2019 884 506 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy There is also the option of moving Griffen, who reportedly does not want to restructure his deal, to a team for draft picks in order to create space to dedicate to other areas.

For example, the Vikings could move Griffen for a second or third-round pick to Indianapolis, Oakland or San Francisco and gain $11.7 million in cap space to dedicate to chasing a big fish such as the top free agent guard Rodger Saffold, the No. 1 tight end on the board Jared Cook, the top receiver Golden Tate, a star safety to play across from Harrison Smith like Tyrann Mathieu or Landon Collins or even a replacement defensive end like Trey Flowers or grab one of the aforementioned top linebackers. They could even re-sign Sheldon Richardson.

If they traded Griffen for draft picks and didn’t sign a defensive end with the open cap space, that would mean relying on Stephen Weatherly to take over the starting defensive end position.

If the Vikings cut or trade Kyle Rudolph then… Multiple reports have stated that Rudolph won’t restructure his contract, so the Vikings can either pay him $7 million or take the cap space in a trade or release him if there are no suitors.

Naturally Cook, who had 68 catches for the Raiders, would be a first option. The Vikings had him in last year for a visit. He will probably come at a similar or greater price. Replacing Rudolph on the cheaper side might mean chasing Cincinnati’s CJ Uzomah, who grabbed 43 passes for the Bengals last season.

Moving on from Rudolph and draft the top tight end — either Noah Fant or TJ Hockenson — with the 18th overall pick to become the starter would give the Vikings his cap space to distribute to other positions, but not enough to land a top-notch free agent. In that case, a guard like Quinton Spain of Tennessee or AJ Cann from Jacksonville might fit the price tag or a cheaper No. 3 receiver such as Chris Hogan, , Michael Crabtree or Randall Cobb would come in that range.

If the Vikings can’t re-sign Sheldon Richardson then… The defensive tackle market is not very impressive. Old pal Shamar Stephen is one of the better DTs on the list and he’s largely a run stuffer. Same goes for former Patriots first-round pick Malcom Brown. Having Tom Johnson back for another year might be pressing their luck, though he doesn’t have many miles on his body. Arizona’s Rodney Gunter had a solid 23 pressures (per PFF) in a rotational role. Los Angeles’s Darius Philon had 29 pressures.

One benefit of piecing the three-technique position together with rotational players (that could include Jaleel Johnson and Jalyn Holmes) is that it would save the Vikings in cap space. Based on other quality DTs’ salaries, Richardson should be aiming for $10-$14 million per season.

If the Vikings trade then… They would earn back $9 million in cap space and likely be able to net a third-round pick or a player. Since the replacement for Waynes is likely already on the roster, the Vikings could spend the money elsewhere on a solid offensive line free agent like Broncos center Matt Paradis or Mitch Morse. The cash could be distributed among multiple positions on offense like No. 2 tight end with Maxx Williams of Baltimore and receiver Jamison Crowder of Washington.

If Mike Zimmer felt that his defense could upgrade at corner with the $9 million created, he might look for a short-term deal with a veteran like Orlando Scandrick or Brent Grimes or a long-term answer like Kareem Jackson, who was released by the Texans.

Waynes’ dollars also might be enough to almost pay for one of the top linebackers listed earlier.

Another area that we haven’t previously mentioned is No. 2 running back. Tevin Coleman might get overpaid, but TJ Yeldon, Mike Davis, Ty Montgomery, Spencer Ware and Bilal Powell could all come at a reasonable price.

If the Vikings can’t sign Rodger Saffold then… Clearly Saffold is No. 1 on everyone’s list, meaning that someone might come through and out-bid the Vikings. Then what? There’s re-signing . He is well respected in the building and played well on the 2017 line in a zone scheme.

The aforementioned Spain, Cann, Paradis and Morse are all possibilities. If they wanted to aim even cheaper Billy Turner of Denver, Jonothan Harrison and James Carpenter of the Jets and Green Bay’s Byron Bell are options.

At that point it would become imperative that the Vikings draft a linemen with one of their first two picks or both.

If the Vikings want to upgrade at safety then…. Before this week, it might have seemed like a foregone conclusion that Antony Harris would be playing alongside Harrison Smith next season after a strong half season as the starter when went down. But if there was ever a time for Zimmer to find out exactly how good Smith could be with a talented partner, this is the year.

Landon Collins, Tyrann Mathieu, Earl Thomas, Eric Weddle, Adrian Amos, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Lamarcus Joyner are all top-notch starting safeties.

The problem, of course, is that one of the above trades would likely have to happen. Releasing Sendejo would create $5 million in space. Even with a flooded market, each of those top players will be likely looking for something in the range of $10 million. Releasing Mike Remmers creates another $4.5 million. But other needs will still have to be addressed.

It’s tough to make the money work to add an expensive safety, especially with Kirk Cousins requiring more help on the offensive side. But adding one of those safeties might put the Vikings in line to return to the No. 1 defense.

If the Vikings want to move to guard then… There are several tackles on the market. New England is moving on from massive left tackle Trent Brown, who isn’t a scheme fit but is an effective pass blocker. Miami’s Ja’Wuan James has battled injuries, but been a quality starter when healthy. On the cheaper side would be two developed players who haven’t received full- time chances in LaAdrian Waddle of New England and Ty Nsekhe of Washington. Dallas tackle Cameron Fleming also falls into that category. Daryl Williams has been injured, but the former Panther is highly effective when healthy.

The issue with signing a tackle is Reiff’s $11.7 million cap hit. However, he could be a June 1 designation and be released after the start of June. Letting go a solid offensive linemen probably does not solve the Vikings’ issues up front.

Drafting a tackle might be the only thing that could push Reiff inside to guard.

If the Vikings don’t re-sign Trevor Siemian as their backup quarterback then… If you believe Arizona is willing to part ways with Josh Rosen for a third-round pick, that would solve two Vikings problems at once — the need for a backup QB and a potential successor if Kirk Cousins doesn’t stick around after Year 3.

If Rosen isn’t actually on the table, Tyrod Taylor has experience with Gary Kubiak in the past. showed last year he can still play. Josh McCown, Robert Griffin III and Brock Osweiler are also veteran options. It isn’t realistic to think the Vikings would attempt to bring back Teddy Bridgewater or sign Colin Kaepernick.

Drafting a QB in the mid-to-late rounds is within the realm of possibility. The issue is knowing whether that player could actually step in if Cousins gets injured.

PUBLICATION: ESPN DATE: 3/8/19

Is Year 2 always better? Vikings believe it will be for Kirk Cousins

By Courtney Cronin

MINNEAPOLIS -- Based on his past experiences with free agents, Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer believes Kirk Cousins will be even better in his second season in Minneapolis.

“The big thing is every free agent I’ve had in my 25 or 26 years -- however many years I’ve been coaching -- they’ve always played better the second year,” Zimmer said at the NFL combine. “They have to learn where everything is. They have to find a place to live. You can go through our free agents: Captain Munnerlyn, when he was with us, his second year. Linval Joseph, second year. All these guys, typically, they don’t know anybody, they don’t know where their locker is, all this stuff. You throw that in with new terminology, whatever. I think he’s going to play great.”

There’s something to be said about the obvious -- that the more time a player spends on a team learning a system, the more likely it is that he'll grow and develop within those parameters. It's a blanket statement, but the probability of improvement isn’t far-fetched, given the amount of time and resources NFL teams dedicate to the success of their players.

While there’s no scientific formula to prove Zimmer’s theory, a look at the free agents he referenced and others who spent at least two years under the Vikings coach show varied results.

Terence Newman, who signed with Minnesota as a free agent in 2015, had 24 fewer tackles, two fewer and three fewer pass breakups in his second season.

During Captain Munnerlyn’s second season in 2016, the played 331 fewer snaps despite playing 16 games. He had the same number of interceptions (two) each season.

Both Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers saw a dip in their ability to sustain blocks through 2.5 seconds in their second year. According to ESPN’s pass-block win rate metric using NFL Next Gen Stats, Reiff held such blocks 82.7 percent of the time his first year and 80.6 percent his second year, and Remmers dropped from 81.7 percent to 73.4 percent.

Two seasons after winning a with the Giants, Linval Joseph joined the Vikings in 2014. The nose tackle had fewer sacks his second year (3.0 down to 0.5) but had more tackles (56 from 47) in four fewer games.

Latavius Murray saw a slight increase in yards per rush during his second season in Minnesota (up to 4.1 yards from 3.9 in 2017).

The mitigating factors that demonstrate why a player’s stats spiked or dipped from Year 1 to Year 2 are all across the board. Might a player understand a system better the second year and know what’s being asked of him but still not see major statistical improvement? Sure. Might his role change in Year 2 once coaches figure out his best fit (a la Munnerlyn in 2016)? Absolutely.

It isn't often that we see notable hit the open market in today’s NFL, nor do those players typically last long at their new stops. When Cousins made it to free agency a year ago, his journey was routinely compared to those of and Peyton Manning, two franchise QBs who switched teams in their primes. Here’s a look at how those two future Hall of Famers performed in their first two seasons with their new teams.

Drew Brees: New Orleans, 2006-07

1st year: 10-6 record, 64.3 completion percentage, 26 TDs, 11 INTs, 67 QBR

2nd> year: 7-9 record, 67.5 completion percentage, 28 TDs, 18 INTs, 65 QBR

Peyton Manning: Denver, 2012-13

1st year: 13-3 record, 68.6 completion percentage, 37 TDs, 11 INTs, 79 QBR

2nd year: 13-3 record, 68.3 completion percentage, 55 TDs, 10 INTs, 79 QBR

While Brees and Manning are anomalies, other UFA quarterbacks haven’t always been able to reach that level of consistency in Year 2.

Ryan Fitzpatrick totaled 31 , 15 interceptions and a 62 QBR in his first season with the Jets in 2015. The following year, he threw 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions and had a 39 QBR.

The numbers from Tyrod Taylor’s first two seasons in Buffalo mirrored each other fairly well. During his first season in 2015, he had 20 touchdowns and six interceptions with a 66 QBR. Those numbers in 2016 were 17 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 62 QBR.

Cousins reached statistical highs in 2018 but failed to lead the Vikings to the playoffs en route to an 8-7-1 finish. The hires the Vikings made this offseason to surround the quarterback with coaches whose systems he's familiar with (i.e., Gary Kubiak's connection to Mike and Kyle Shanahan, Cousins' former coaches in Washington) show a concerted effort to help him succeed in his second year. The Vikings placed an emphasis on creating continuity around Cousins, starting with basic things such as offensive terminology, to help him make the jump.

“I can just give an example of back with Brett Favre when he ran the same system in Green Bay forever, and then he went to New York that year, a totally different system, and probably didn't have his most productive year as a pro,” general manager Rick Spielman said at the combine. “Then he ended up coming back to us and got back into a system that he was familiar with, and it made a huge difference.

“With the Kubiak and the Shanahan tree coming in and Kirk coming up through that system -- and part of that with the personnel and coaching interacting together is about figuring out what this guy does and then saying, 'Let's implement that into the system we're running.' That's why we're very excited about what we've been able to accomplish so far as far as bringing in the coaches.”

The Vikings brass believes Cousins is capable of being the player to lead this franchise back to the playoffs in 2019. Some of that will be due to the influence of coaching. Some of it will be on Cousins’ ability to grow and improve at 31 years old.

And they'll count on him not carrying over the same mistakes from one season to the next.

“I think the big thing is we turned the ball over a little bit too much early,” Zimmer said. “If we look at a year ago, we were a plus-5, and this year we were zero or whatever with turnovers for touchdowns. And obviously, we had a punt block for a in Green Bay, too. I think that part, taking care of the football and not being afraid to pull the trigger as well. And I do think when he doesn't have to drop back 46 times, it's going to help. Hopefully we don't have to.”

PUBLICATION: Sports Illustrated DATE: 3/8/19

Anthony Barr’s Versatility Will Help Him Fit in With Nearly Any Defense

By Conor Orr

Throughout the next several weeks, we’ll be assessing the market on some of the best free agents set to come available on March 14. Beyond scheme fit, these decisions will be impacted by available finances, team thoughts on current draft prospects and perception of value vs. actual value. We’ll try and parse through those ideas here.

Check out Le’Veon Bell, , Demarcus Lawrence, Earl Thomas, Nick Foles and others at The MMQB.

Name: Anthony Barr Age: 26 (turning 27 on March 18) Position: Linebacker 2018 Salary: $12,306,000 (fifth-year option) 2018 Statistics: 13 games, three sacks, 55 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, one forced

Why he’s a top-tier free agent: The former first-round pick came out of UCLA into the NFL already a versatile linebacker, but he earned a masters degree in Mike Zimmer’s defense. He can play every down, and deftly switch between coverage and rushing the passer. This is the way defenses are heading, but the nice thing about Barr is that he isn’t on the small side either (listed at 6' 5", 255 pounds). While teams may desire a little bit more speed, he is capable enough in coverage and bulky enough to take on lead blockers. His role as a pass rusher was also highlighted a bit more this season.

Risks involved: Barr missed a handful of games with a hamstring injury last season, though nothing that should lag into the 2019 regular season. Otherwise, it’s going to come down to a teams’ willingness to spend top dollar for a position that other general managers are successfully replicating in the middle or later rounds of the draft. While I think Barr transcends the typical I can get one big guy and one coverage guy in the third and fifth rounds and it’ll be the same thing argument, it’ll be interesting to see if his sack numbers (career high of four) are held against him, or if teams are projecting him into a larger pass-rushing role in their scheme.

Market prospects: Outside of Clay Matthews, who is six years older than Barr and is better suited as a true pass rusher, there aren’t a while lot of players like him available, which is a good thing. I don’t think this is a 4-3 exclusive decision, either, and he’ll fit in well with coordinators who enjoy deploying those ambiguous, amoeba- type defenses.

Potential destinations: Minnesota, New England, San Francisco, Oakland

Contract comps:

Jamie Collins, : Four years, $50,000,000 / $12,500,000 APY / $26,400,000 total guarantees

Nick Perry, : Five years, $59,000,000 / $11,800,000 APY / $18,500,000 total guarantees

Lavonte David, : Five years, $50,250,000 / $10,050 APY / $25,556,709 total guarantees

PUBLICATION: USA Today DATE: 3/8/19

Vikings RB Roc Thomas charged with felony marijuana possession

By the AP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings running back Roc Thomas has been charged with felony possession of marijuana.

A criminal complaint says Thomas' apartment in a Twin Cities suburb was searched Jan. 16 and officers found more than 143 grams of marijuana (about five ounces), along with drug paraphernalia and $16,000 in cash.

According to The Star Tribune , the complaint says Thomas told investigators he smokes marijuana, but does not sell it. Marijuana possession is only legal with medical permission in Minnesota where having more than 42.5 grams (1.5 ounces) is considered a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 fine.

The Vikings say team officials are aware of the charges against Thomas and respect the legal process. The 23- year-old Thomas appeared in five regular-season games last season, rushing eight times for 30 yards.

PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 3/8/19

NFL.com’s Top 101 Free Agents: A Look at 61-70

By Eric Smith

The Vikings.com 2019 Free Agency Primer series uses NFL.com’s Top 101 Free Agents list to break down this year’s class. We will count down the groups of players until March 13 when free agency is scheduled to open.

The list was composed by Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling of NFL.com. Career stats are taken from NFL.com and/or pro-football-reference.com and apply to regular seasons, unless noted.

Note: The list may end up changing prior to free agency opening, but this breakdown is updated as of March 6.

Schedule

91-101: Wednesday, March 6

81-90: Wednesday, March 6

71-80: Thursday, March 7

61-70: Thursday, March 7

51-60: Friday, March 8

41-50: Friday, March 8

31-40: Monday, March 11

21-30: Monday, March 11

11-20: Tuesday, March 12

1-10: Wednesday, March 13

Vikings fans will notice a few familiar faces on this list at the top, including a former first-round pick by Minnesota and a division nemesis in recent years.

The majority of the 10 players listed here play offense, including a quarterback with almost 50 career starts.

Each of the defensive players mentioned are linemen who played on the interior in the trenches.

61. WR ,

Career: 95 games, 29 starts, 184 receptions for 1,872 yards and 10 touchdowns, 10.2 yards per reception, 19.7 yards per game, 64.3 catch percentage; 86 rushes for 682 yards and seven scores; 176 kick returns for 5,276 yards (30.0 yards per return) with six touchdowns

Patterson was the 29th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Vikings, and he promptly made two Pro Bowls and had five total kickoff returns for touchdowns in four seasons in Purple, including an NFL record 109-yarder as a rookie. He spent the 2017 season with the Raiders before winning a Super Bowl with the Patriots this past season. randall-cobb-free-agency-030719 Mike Roemer/AP 62. WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

Career: 105 games; 73 starts; 470 receptions for 5,524 yards and 41 touchdowns, 11.8 yards per reception, 52.6 yards per game, 69.6 catch percentage; 89 punt returns for 832 yards (9.3 yards per punt return) and 2 touchdowns; had a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown as a rookie

A second-round pick by the Packers back in 2011, Cobb has had 600-plus receiving yards in five of eight seasons in Green Bay. His best year came in 2014 when he started all 16 games and had 91 catches for 1,287 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns to garner a trip to the . But that was the only season Cobb started every game. He played just nine games in 2018.

63. QB Tyrod Taylor, Cleveland Browns

Career: 62 games, 46 starts, 23-21-1 as a starter, completed 835 of 1,356 career attempts (61.6 percent) for 9,529 yards with 53 passing touchdowns and 20 interceptions; 89.6 passer rating; 326 rushes for 1,836 yards and 16 touchdowns

The primary starter in Buffalo from 2015 to 2017, Taylor began the 2018 season as the starter in Cleveland before the Browns turned to rookie Baker Mayfield. Taylor is a veteran who can instantly add solid quarterback depth to any roster, and he is known for his athleticism and ball security.

64. RB C.J. Anderson, Los Angeles Rams

Career: 69 games, 39 starts, 760 rushes for 3,454 yards and 22 touchdowns; 108 receptions for 900 yards and five touchdowns

Anderson was released by the Panthers a little more than halfway through the 2018 season before catching on with the Rams. He rushed for 299 yards and two touchdowns in two regular-season games before helping Los Angeles reach the Super Bowl. A veteran running back who is 5-foot-8 and 225 pounds, Anderson is known for his physical running style.

65. DT Corey Liuget, Los Angeles Chargers

Career: 108 games, 103 starts, 275 total tackles, 59 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, 5 forced ; 6 fumble recoveries (1 recovered in end zone for a touchdown)

A respected veteran defensive lineman, Liuget is coming off an injury that limited him to just six games in 2018. The 18th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Liuget made over 100 career starts with the Chargers. Liuget has proven he can be an effective player when healthy.

66. OL D.J. Fluker,

Career: 78 career games, 74 starts, one fumble recovery

The 11th overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Fluker struggled early on his career with the Chargers. He spent the 2017 season with the Giants before landing in Seattle for 2018, where he helped lead the way for the NFL’s top rushing attack. Fluker started nine games in 2018 but missed Seattle’s Week 14 game on Monday Night Football against the Vikings.

67. DT Darius Philon, Los Angeles Chargers

Career: 54 games, 19 starts, 80 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks; 1 forced fumble

A sixth-round of pick out of Arkansas in 2015, Philon has carved out a nice NFL career by improving in each of his four seasons. He became a key piece on the 12-win Chargers in 2018 by starting 13 games. Philon has 8.5 of his 9.5 career sacks over the past two seasons.

68. WR Michael Crabtree, Baltimore Ravens

Career: 141 games, 138 starts, 633 receptions for 7,477 yards and 54 touchdowns, 11.8 yards per reception, 53.0 yards per game, 59.6 catch percentage

A veteran wide receiver who has played for three teams in his career, Crabtree spent the 2018 season with the Baltimore Ravens. Crabtree has at least 48 receptions in nine of his 10 seasons in the NFL. His best year came in 2012 with the 49ers when he caught 85 passes for a career-high 1,105 yards with nine touchdowns.

69. G Quinton Spain,

Career: 50 games, 48 starts

An undrafted free agent out of West Virginia in 2015, Spain latched on with the Titans before working himself into the starting lineup. His start total increased in each of his four seasons with Tennessee, culminating with 15 starts this past season. Spain helped the Titans rank seventh in 2018 with 126.4 rushing yards per game.

70. DT Johnathan Hankins, Oakland Raiders

Career: 82 games, 70 starts, 220 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries

A second-round pick by the Giants in 2013, Hankins had a career-best 7.0 sacks in 2014. New York let him go after four seasons, and the defensive tackle has played the past two seasons in Indianapolis and Oakland, respectively. Hankins is known to play the run well and is helped by his 6-foot-2, 325-pound frame. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 3/8/19

Lunchbreak: Zimmer Listed in Top 10 Head Coach Rankings

By Eric Smith

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer is one of the most-respected coaches across the league, and a guy who is known for being a defensive mastermind.

Since taking over in Minnesota in 2014, Zimmer’s defense has ranked in the top 10 in points allowed per game in four of five seasons. The Vikings ranked first in points and yards allowed per game in 2017.

But where does Zimmer stand in regards to other league coaches?

Patrick Daugherty of Rotoworld recently released his annual list of head-coach rankings and had Zimmer slotted in the ninth spot. Zimmer was the highest-rated of any coach that is yet to lead a team to at least one Super Bowl.

Daugherty, who Zimmer ranked eighth at this time last year, noted that the Vikings were 7-1-1 against non- playoff teams but went 1-6 against teams that made the postseason. He wrote:

Part of Zimmer’s diagnosis was that he strayed too far from his roots. Desperate and disgusted, he pink slipped pass-happy OC John DeFilippo on December 11. Following the firing were wins over the hapless Dolphins and Lions before a season-ending suffocation against the Bears. Even with those inconclusive results, Zimmer removed fill-in OC Kevin Stefanski’s interim tag, making his 2019 intentions clear. More runs, fewer missed blocks, more big plays on defense.

He is doubling down on Zimmer Ball as the rest of the league loads up on “Next McVays.” One of the NFL’s most focused, disciplined coaches, Zimmer’s track record suggests 2019 will not be another season of poor game plans and botched execution.

Zimmer is 47-32-1 (.594 win percentage) in five seasons in Minnesota, and the Vikings have the sixth-most regular-season wins during that span.

The 62-year-old Zimmer has won a pair of NFC North titles and is the longest-tenured head coach in the division.

Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman announced last week at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine that Zimmer’s contract has been extended through the 2020 season.

Best of "Through the Lens" Photos from the 2018 Season View some of the team photographers favorite the Through the Lens images from the 2018 season.

A look at Vikings needs before free agency

While we’re less than a week away from the start of free agency, it remains to be seen how active Spielman and the rest of Minnesota’s front office will be beginning at 3 p.m. (CT) Wednesday.

But Chris Wesseling of NFL.com recently went through each NFC team and looked at potential needs for each squad.

When it came to the Vikings, Wesseling opined that Minnesota could be looking to add players on the offensive line, at linebacker and at the wide receiver spot.

Wesseling wrote:

On defense, four-time Pro Bowl selection Anthony Barr [could be] set to fly the coop. Coach Mike Zimmer [might] be in the market for a replacement alongside middle linebacker Eric Kendricks.

The Vikings have a handful of players, including Barr and Sheldon Richardson, who are scheduled to become free agents next week. They could also agree to a new contract with Minnesota before that time to keep them off the market. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 3/8/19

NFL.com’s Top 101 Free Agents: A Look at 71-80

By Lindsey Young

The Vikings.com 2019 Free Agency Primer series uses NFL.com’s Top 101 Free Agents list to break down this year’s class. We will count down the groups of players until March 13 when free agency is scheduled to open.

The list was composed by Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling of NFL.com. Career stats are taken from NFL.com and/or pro-football-reference.com and apply to regular seasons, unless noted.

Note: The list may end up changing prior to free agency opening, but this breakdown is updated as of the March 5 deadline for teams to use the franchise or transition tag.

Schedule

91-101: Wednesday, March 6

81-90: Wednesday, March 6

71-80: Thursday, March 7

61-70: Thursday, March 7

51-60: Friday, March 8

41-50: Friday, March 8

31-40: Monday, March 11

21-30: Monday, March 11

11-20: Tuesday, March 12

1-10: Wednesday, March 13

This grouping includes two and features five offensive skill players, including a name that will be familiar to Vikings fans. Defense, offense and special teams are all represented in this particular lineup. Interestingly, every NFL division is also represented, except for one – the NFC North.

71. DE/OLB Markus Golden, Cardinals

Career: 46 games, 24 starts, 122 tackles (97 solo), 19 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, 3 passes defensed, 6 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery

Golden is set to test the free agency waters after four seasons in Arizona. He had a breakout season in 2016 with 12.5 sacks as an outside linebacker, but in 2017 he played just four games before suffering a season- ending ACL injury. The Cardinals switched to a 4-3 defense in 2018 under Head Coach Steve Wilks, and Golden transitioned to defensive end. He notched just 2.5 sacks in the new defensive scheme.

72. K Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots

Career: 200 games, 367-of-420 field goals made (long of 62), 87.4 field goal percentage, 642-of-649 PATs made, 98.9 PAT percentage

Gostkowski has spent his entire 13-season career in New England, and he’s been a reliable resource. The 35- year-old has been a near-constant with extra point attempts, and his field goal percentage for attempts from 39 yards or under is 95.9. After an overall field goal percentage of 92.5 in 2017, however, Gostkowski missed five of his 32 field goal attempts in 2018; his 84.4 percent success rate in 2018 ranked 20th in the NFL.

73. DB Jimmie Ward, 49ers

Career: 51 games, 31 starts, 182 tackles (153 solo), 2 interceptions (1 returned 29 yards for a touchdown), 2.0 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 21 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries

Ward has proven to be a versatile piece in San Francisco’s secondary, lining up at both corner and safety since his selection in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The 27-year-old missed a significant portion of the 2017 and 2018 seasons when he broke his left forearm (in different places) each year.

74. RB Adrian Peterson, Redskins

Career: 149 games, 139 starts, 2,825 carries for 13,318 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns, 4.7 yards per carry, 89.4 rushing yards per game, 272 catches for 2,223 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns

After spending the first decade of his NFL career with the Vikings, with whom he earned seven Pro Bowl nods and was a four-time All-Pro, Peterson spent 2017 with the Saints and Cardinals before signing with the Redskins for the 2018 campaign. The 33-year-old started all 16 games in Washington and racked up 1,042 yards on the ground to notch his eighth career 1,000-yard season. Peterson’s 13,318 rushing yards rank eighth all-time. He needs 784 to move into fifth place.

75. WR Kelvin Benjamin, Chiefs

Career: 61 games, 52 starts, 209 catches for 3,021 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaged 14.5 yards per reception; 49.5 yards per game, 50.6 catch percentage

Drafted 28th overall by the Panthers in 2014, Benjamin impressed as a rookie, starting 15 of 16 games and racking up 1,008 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. A torn ACL suffered during training camp sidelined Benjamin for the entirety of the 2015 season, and he came back in 2016 to record 63 catches for 941 yards with seven scores. He has bounced around the past two seasons, spending time with the Panthers, Bills and Chiefs.

76. CB Steven Nelson, Chiefs

Career: 52 games, 38 starts, 4 interceptions, 174 tackles (150 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss, 35 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries

Nelson started all 16 games for the Chiefs in 2018 after missing the first eight games of 2017 due to injury. Nelson’s most recent season was his most productive; he led the team in interceptions (four) and passes defensed (15).

77. WR Cole Beasley, Cowboys

Career: 103 games, 22 starts, 450 targets, 319 catches for 3,271 yards and 23 touchdowns, 10.3 yards per reception, 31.8 yards per game, 69.7 catch percentage

Beasley signed with the Cowboys in 2012 as an undrafted free agent and has proven to be a reliable slot receiver for Dallas over the past seven seasons. Beasley signed a four-year extension in 2015, and he played a significant role in the absence of an injured Dez Bryant. The Houston native logged his second-highest receiving yardage total in 2018, snagging 65 catches for 672 yards.

78. TE , Bengals

Career: 43 games, 32 starts, 208 targets, 142 catches for 1,716 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaged 12.1 yards per reception, 39.9 yards per game, 68.3 catch percentage

Drafted 21st overall by the Bengals in 2013, Eifert is scheduled to hit free agency for the first time in his NFL career. The 28-year-old’s banner season came in 2015, during which he scored 13 of his 21 career touchdowns and racked up 615 yards through the air. Eifert recorded 179 receiving yards and one touchdown in 2018. He has played in just 14 games since 2016.

79. RB T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars

Career: 51 games, 30 starts, 465 carries for 1,872 yards and 6 touchdowns, averaged 4.0 yards per carry, 171 catches for 1,302 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns, averaged 7.6 yards per reception

Yeldon is reaching the end of his rookie contract after being drafted 36th overall by the Jaguars in 2015. The multifaceted back was more productive in the passing game than the running game in 2018, recording 487 yards and four touchdowns through the air. He had just one rushing score.

80. LB Thomas Davis, Panthers

Career: 176 games, 158 starts, 1,111 tackles (796 solo), 13 interceptions, 28 sacks, 87 tackles for loss, 52 passes defensed, 18 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries (1 returned 46 yards for a touchdown)

After 14 seasons with the Panthers (he missed 2010 with a knee injury), Davis is set to hit free agency for the first time. The 35-year-old’s production has taken a slight dip over the past two seasons, but he’s continued to be effective for Carolina. Davis is a three-time Pro Bowler (2015-17) and received All-Pro honors in 2015. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 3/8/19

Prospect Profile: Mississippi OT Greg Little

By Eric Smith

Tackle | Mississippi | Junior

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 310 pounds

College Stats

2018: Started all 12 games at left tackle; named a Second-Team All-American by multiple outlets; was a First- Team All-SEC selection by both coaches and media; was a finalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which is given to the best offensive player in the NCAA from Texas or a college in Texas; helped Mississippi’s offense lead the SEC and finish fifth in the nation in passing offense with 346.4 yards per game

Career: Played in 36 career college games, starting 29 of them, all at left tackle; named a Second-Team All- American by multiple outlets and was a First-Team All-SEC selection by both coaches and media in 2018 as a junior; earned Second-Team All-SEC honors in his sophomore season; Freshman All-American in 2016 while starting five games; named to the Freshman All-SEC first team by conference coaches

Profile

Summary: Little certainly has the size to play offensive tackle in the NFL, as he is 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds with an arm-length of 35 ¼ inches. The native of Allen, Texas, was a highly-regarded high school prospect who settled into the left tackle spot at Mississippi in his freshman season and never let go of his starting job. Little has been projected as a potential first-round pick in multiple mock drafts.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote that Little has the prototype body for his position. He also noted that “while he wasn't asked to do it much in 2018, he has the athletic ability to handle zone-blocking duties, which could suit his skill set more than a physical rush attack. Little is a natural bender with good feet and pepper in his punch as [a] blind-side protector, but his average anchor and inconsistent body control create some concern.”

Little’s full scouting report on NFL.com can be found here.

Stacking up: Draft analyst Dane Brugler, who writes for The Athletic, has Little as the No. 3 prospect at the position. NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks ranked Little as the No. 5 tackle. Daniel Jeremiah had Little as the 48th overall player on his list of the Top 50 prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Quite the trio: Little was on the same high school football team with Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray and Oklahoma offensive lineman . The two Sooners, plus Little, are all expected to be drafted in April.