DAILY CLIPS

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020 LOCAL NEWS: Thursday, April 2, 2020

Star Tribune

Will the Vikings pick a QB in first three rounds of NFL Draft? By Michael Rand https://www.startribune.com/will-the-vikings-pick-a-qb-in-first-three-rounds-of-nfl-draft/569283082/

NFL draft without fans is nothing new By Sid Hartman https://www.startribune.com/nfl-draft-without-fans-is-nothing-new/569304972/

SKOR North

Let’s make a deal: What was the Vikings’ rush to trade Chris Doleman? By Judd Zulgad https://www.skornorth.com/2020/04/lets-make-a-deal-what-was-the-vikings-rush-to-trade-chris-doleman/

Can the Vikings afford to pass on a top receiver? By Matthew Coller https://www.skornorth.com/2020/04/can-the-vikings-afford-to-pass-on-a-top-receiver/

The Athletic

Execs unfiltered on every NFL team’s free agency moves and trades By Mike Sando https://theathletic.com/1715455/2020/04/01/execs-unfiltered-on-every-nfl-teams-free-agency-moves-and-trades/

NATIONAL NEWS: Thursday, April 2, 2020

Maven Media

Vikings NFL Draft: Three Middle-Round Defensive Ends With Athletic Upside By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-nfl-draft-defensive-ends-athletic-upside

Dalvin Cook, Danielle Hunter Donating Madden Checks to Local Hospital By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/dalvin-cook-danielle-hunter-donating-madden-checks-local-hospital

MULTIMEDIA NEWS: Thursday, April 2, 2020

Reaction to NFL Playoff Expansion By KMSP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=c0457679-1b71-4987-952c-d67ac4f99751

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: Thursday, April 2, 2020

Lunchbreak: Kendricks Helping COVID-19 Relief with Original Paintings By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/lunchbreak-eric-kendricks-helping-covid-19-relief-with-original-paintings

Minnesota Vikings Foundation Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/covid-19-pandemic-vikings-foundation-responding

Vikings Salute Retiring Director of Security By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-salute-retiring-director-of-security

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 4/2/20

Will the Vikings pick a QB in first three rounds of NFL Draft?

By Michael Rand

It’s now April 1, and this is no joke: After a horrendous month of March, we can at least start to try to think about warmer weather, better times ahead and actual things on the sports calendar.

Chief among them: The NFL Draft, which is going on as scheduled April 23-25 — albeit in a different form, with prospects and their families not in attendance and everything being handled virtually. (You can still boo Roger Goodell from a safe distance, however).

On the most recent Access Vikings podcast, we talked about the Vikings’ draft strategy — and whether they might pick a quarterback with a meaningful selection. Let’s say that means sometime in the first three rounds, when Minnesota has five choices — two firsts (including one from Buffalo in the Stefon Diggs trade), a second and two thirds (including a compensatory pick).

Here are three reasons it makes sense that they would pick a QB with one of those five picks — and three reasons it doesn’t make sense.

DRAFT A QUARTERBACK? YES!

1 Kirk Cousins’ contract: You’ll actually see this category show up in both sections. Here’s why it appears on the “yes” side: His extension, agreed to a couple weeks ago, only added two years to his deal for three years total. And it does not, as our Ben Goessling noted on the podcast, include a no-trade clause (which was part of his original deal). Even if Cousins remains the starter here all three years, that’s a short enough period of time to consider either a succession plan or a backup plan as early as this draft.

2 Speaking of which, the Vikings clearly want a better backup quarterback in 2020. A month ago at the Scouting Combine, head coach Mike Zimmer said this about the No. 2 spot: “We want to be able to have somebody who, if he has to go in for three games, can win those three games. It’s not to be another coach for Kirk, OK? It’s for somebody who can help you with that, but at the end of the day he’s got to be able to play, too.”

That didn’t sound like a ringing endorsement of 2019 backup Sean Mannion. The Vikings did bring back Mannion on a veteran minimum deal for 2020, but they could easily cut him with little penalty if they found someone they liked more in the draft and that player beat out Mannion for the backup spot. And that player — let’s say he was taken with the No. 89 pick in the third round — would be on a rookie scale deal making about as Mannion with far more upside.

3 A drafted QB almost certainly would be, at best, a backup in 2020 and probably 2021. If that’s as good as he was, it would still be worth it. But what if he developed into a truly special player — a Russell Wilson type (also a third- round pick)? Taking a shot with a reasonably high pick is the Vikings’ most viable path to hit a home run, even if Cousins is an above-average option right now who led the Vikings to a playoff win last season.

DRAFT A QB? NO WAY!

1 Cousins’ health and contract push quarterback pretty low on the priority list. If the Vikings were going into the draft without having extended Cousins, this would be a much different conversation. But his high-dollar deal over the next three years — combined with the fact that he has been healthy for every start over the last five years — could mean that finding another QB (even as a backup) isn’t urgent in the draft a few weeks from now. Honestly, the time to do it was the 2019 draft — so they could have a year to evaluate before having to decide on a Cousins extension.

2 Perhaps the biggest reason to think the Vikings won’t take a QB in the first three rounds is that it’s simply not in their DNA to pick one unless they absolutely need one (Teddy Bridgewater in 2014, Christian Ponder in 2011, Tarvaris Jackson in 2006). We can argue the merits of this approach, but history is history.

3 They have a lot of other roster holes to fill. The Vikings need offensive linemen, defensive linemen, defensive backs and a skilled wide receiver — among other things — after having a lot of roster turnover in free agency (much of it necessitated by salary cap issues and a desire to get younger). With so many positions of need, drafting a QB could be seen logically as a luxury.

Maybe what ends up happening is some sort of compromise — drafting a QB, but maybe a little later like the fourth or fifth round. We’ll have plenty of time to mull it over and look for clues in the next few weeks. PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 4/2/20

NFL draft without fans is nothing new

By Sid Hartman

The NFL draft is going to still take place April 23-25, a rare sports event being held as scheduled when so many leagues around the world have suspended normal operations because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

For Vikings fans of a certain age, it might seem impossible that the draft will still be televised and take place without a big audience cheering or booing each pick.

The size of the draft these days is impossible to undersell, and it’s a big reason why Meet Minneapolis events staff and the Vikings have been pitching so hard to bring the draft to the Twin Cities in the near future.

The Tennessean reported that the 2019 draft in Nashville set a record for spending by 600,000 visitors to the city over three days, bringing in $132.8 million.

The previous record was set in Dallas in 2018 with $74 million in direct spending.

Calculating those numbers are complicated but it factors in hotel data, tax collections and surveys to try and understand how much tourism-related money entered the local economy.

Will Vikings pick a QB in first three rounds of the draft? Should they? Will Vikings pick a QB in first three rounds of the draft? Should they? After a horrendous month of March, we can at least start to try to think about warmer weather, better times ahead and actual things on the sports calendar. And while it’s hard to imagine that Las Vegas will be without a big influx of fans in three weeks, the NFL draft of years past didn’t encourage fans to attend and barely attracted any media coverage.

That’s why ESPN knows they can still put on an amazing show and drive up big advertising revenue for the event. Last year 47.5 million people watched the event in 115 countries. It would not surprise me to see that number tripled if the sports world is still locked down when the draft takes place.

1961 draft slog

For fans wondering what it was like to follow a draft without a big national audience, take a look at the 1961 NFL draft, which took place on December 27-28, 1960, at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia.

The Vikings were entering their inaugural season and had the first overall pick, which they used on Tulane running back Tommy Mason.

How different were the times? Mason was drafted on Tuesday and four days later played in the East-West Bowl, something that would never happen today because of the risk of injury.

The draft was so slow that the Minneapolis Star ran a story after the first round which noted the Baltimore Colts took 35 minutes on their first choice, selecting Ohio State halfback Tom Matte at No. 7 overall. With the No. 8 pick, the St. Louis Cardinals took 90 minutes to select Auburn tackle Ken Rice.

The next day, Commissioner Pete Rozelle instituted a 10-minute limit on selections and introduced the first-ever “two-minute warning” of the draft after it took 15 hours to select 126 players.

One of the Vikings’ bright spots that year was drafting Georgia quarterback Fran Tarkenton in the third round (the 29th overall pick). Tarkenton, who played for the Vikings from 1961-66 and again from 1972-78, was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

1967 from a hospital

Maybe the most unbelievable story about the draft came in 1967, Bud Grant’s first as coach of the Vikings.

Grant had won four Grey Cups while coaching Winnipeg in the Canadian Football League. His 1966 season ended in November when the Blue Bombers lost in the division finals.

The NFL draft was held in March 14-15, 1967, in New York City. Grant told me two years ago that his predraft knowledge of available players was limited.

“I was not privy to a lot of what was going on in the draft before my first year,” Grant recalled. “When I came here, [General Manager] Jim Finks and [team scout and director of player personnel] Jerry Reichow and I talked about upcoming players in the draft. I knew very little about them because I was in Canada, but they knew a lot about them.

“Jim Finks had a medical condition. He was in the hospital. So we drafted from Jim Finks’ room in the hospital. Jerry Reichow, myself and Jim Finks drafted from his hospital room on the telephone. I knew some of the top players. We drafted Clint Jones, Gene Washington and Alan Page.”

Those were the Vikings’ three first-round picks. Jones and Washington, a running back and flanker both from Michigan State, were taken at No. 2 and No. 8. Page, the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle from Notre Dame, was picked at No. 15.

The NFL draft has changed many times over the years, and the 2020 draft might be as unique as any in league history.

Jottings

• Former Gophers big man Reggie Lynch was playing basketball for Urania Milano in Italy before their season was shut down because of the outbreak of COVID-19. Lynch had played in 26 games and averaged 11.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 25.6 minutes per game. Urania was 13-13 when play was suspended.

• The Dallas Morning News published their five biggest concerns for TCU after spring sports were canceled by the NCAA. At No. 2 was this note: “Former Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill was brought in during the offseason to act as a special assistant to the head coach. [Gary] Patterson and Kill go way back, and the TCU head coach hopes his old buddy can help revitalize a Horned Frog offense that was stagnant at times last year. But with spring practice canceled, if Kill and offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie are to find a balance together, they’ll have to do so in film study and fall practice. They’ll have to hope that’s enough.”

• Former Wild forward Pascal Dupuis joined Laurentides of the LHEQ — Ligue de Hockey d’Excellence du Québec, or the Quebec Hockey League of Excellence — as a resource person last week. The 40-year-old Dupuis, who had 67 goals and 74 assists in 334 games with the Wild from 2001 to 2007, had been coaching since his playing career ended in 2015 because of blood clot-related health problems, but a news release said he wanted to take a step back while remaining available if necessary. The Conquerors have midget (under-18), bantam (under-15) and peewee (under-13) teams.

• Garrett Suter resigned as coach and general manager of the United States Hockey League’s Madison Capitols on Monday. Suter — who went 73-137-22 in four seasons and will reassume his previous role as president of the Capitols’ Tier 1 AAA program — is the brother of team owner Ryan Suter, the Wild’s star defenseman who helped revive the team in 2013 after the previous incarnation had folded in 1995. The Capitols play at Bob Suter’s Madison Ice Arena, named for the Suters’ father who was a defenseman on the United States’ 1980 “Miracle on Ice” gold medal-winning team and died from a heart attack in 2014 at age 57. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 4/2/20

Let’s make a deal: What was the Vikings’ rush to trade Chris Doleman?

By Judd Zulgad

The Vikings felt they had little choice but to accommodate Stefon Diggs’ request for a trade last month when they sent the disgruntled wide receiver to Buffalo for four draft picks, including the Bills’ first-rounder and two others in this year’s draft.

It wasn’t the first time the Vikings have traded a high-profile player either because he wanted out or because there was an overwhelming feeling that it was time for a divorce. This doesn’t mean that all of these moves turned out to be bad ones, but it does mean a pretty good player (or even an outstanding one) was lost.

Today, we give you Part IV of high-profile players the Vikings dealt (not guys who left as free agents, were released or near the end) and how it worked out. So far we’ve covered the trades of Randy Moss, Fran Tarkenton and Percy Harvin. This time it’s …

CHRIS DOLEMAN

Time with Vikings: Taken with the fourth-overall pick in the 1985 draft out of Pittsburgh, Doleman spent his first two seasons as a linebacker before moving to defensive end. It changed Doleman’s career. In his third season, Doleman had 11 sacks and an NFL-leading six forced fumbles. Two years later, he led the NFL with 21 sacks. Five times in his first nine seasons with the Vikings, Doleman registered double-digit sack totals. Doleman had 88.5 sacks, 29 forced fumbles (14 recovered) and five interceptions (two touchdowns) from 1985 to 1993. He was a first-team All-Pro selection twice and was selected to the Pro Bowl six times during that period. Off the field, Doleman was known for being one of the only NFL players to carry a briefcase into the locker room each day.

What ended Doleman’s time in Minnesota? Doleman played two seasons for Dennis Green in Minnesota before the Vikings decided to move on from him at the age of 32. He had started all 16 games for a sixth consecutive season and had 12.5 sacks for the Vikings in 1993. Minnesota went 9-7 that season, finishing second in the NFC Central and lost to the New York Giants in a wild card game.

The trade: The Vikings sent Doleman to Atlanta with a 1994 second-round pick (45th overall) for a 1994 second- round selection (40th overall) and a first-round pick in 1995 (11th overall). The Vikings used the 1994 second-round pick on Alabama wide receiver David Palmer and the 1995 first-round pick on Florida State defensive end Derrick Alexander. The Falcons selected wide receiver Bert Emanuel, who had played at both UCLA and Rice, with the second-round pick they got in the trade.

How it worked out for the Vikings: Not well, espeically when it came to the first-round pick. Alexander was drafted to be Doleman’s replacement but did not come close to living up to expectations. He spent only four seasons with the Vikings and finished with 17.5 sacks, including a career-high 7.5 in 1998 after being moved from right to left end. Making matters worse, the Vikings passed on future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who went one pick after Alexander to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sapp fell because of off-the-field concerns that came out right before the draft. Palmer was a player ahead of his time and had the ability to play wide receiver and running back and also returned kicks and punts. He spent seven seasons with the Vikings and caught a career-high 26 passes in 1997.

How it worked out for Doleman: Doleman had 16 sacks in 30 games over two seasons with the Falcons before signing as a free agent with San Francisco. Doleman found success with the 49ers, registering 11, 12 and 15 sacks and forcing 11 total fumbles over three seasons in the Bay Area. He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice in that time. Doleman returned to the Vikings for a final season in 1999 and had eight sacks in 14 games at the age of 38.

The verdict: Considering Doleman’s success with the 49ers, and Alexander’s lack of success with the Vikings, this wasn’t one of Green’s better moves. Of course, taking Sapp would have made this a different story. Doleman was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and is fifth all-time in the NFL with 150.5 sacks. (Sack totals became official in 1982.) Doleman had 96.5 sacks in 10 years with the Vikings. Sadly, he passed away in late January of this year after battling brain cancer. He was 58. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 4/2/20

Can the Vikings afford to pass on a top receiver?

By Matthew Coller

Following the trade of Stefon Diggs, the Vikings are only left with one proven receiver in Adam Thielen and a bevy of players who are looking to take a step forward in recently-signed Tajae Sharpe, 2019 seventh-rounder Bisi Johnson, Chad Beebe, Alexander Hollins, Davion Davis and a handful of others. Naturally the expectation is that they will be looking to replace Diggs with either the 22nd overall pick from the Buffalo Bills or their own selection at 25th overall.

With many other needs on the roster, little cap space to sign free agents and the market becoming more thin each day, the Vikings could opt to roll with their current group of receivers and A) hope Thielen carries the load B) look for another body in the middle rounds to compete for a role during training camp.

Is it a viable option? Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s past might suggest that it is.

During Kubiak’s years in Houston, receiver Andre Johnson was the centerpiece of the team’s passing attack, racking up five 100-catch seasons and was on pace for three more if not for injuries. Unlike Thielen, Johnson did not have a top-notch 1B receiver alongside. The Texans used players like Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones to fill out the rest of the receiver targets.

Houston focused more on tight ends in the passing game, throwing in Owen Daniels’s direction over 100 times in 2008 and 2012. Backs and additional tight ends like Arian Foster, James Casey and Garrett Graham filled out the rest of the passing game, which was consistently one of the most efficient in the NFL under Kubiak.

Year Andre Johnson Targets No. 2 receiver targets Passing net yards per attempt rank 2012 162 68 13 2011 51 (7 games) 65 8 2010 138 (13 games) 80 6 2009 171 70 3 2008 171 95 5 Even without Diggs, the Vikings have the capability to repeat his Houston blueprint, so long as Thielen is healthy. With Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith, Dalvin Cook and CJ Ham all capable receivers, the Vikings do not necessarily have to get desperate in the draft for an early-round receiver.

Last season when Thielen was injured, Kirk Cousins effectively spread the ball to his other targets. Between Week 7 and Week 13, Cook had 27 receptions on 34 targets for 290 yards (10.7 yards per catch), Rudolph caught 26 of his 39 passes and Smith brought in 24 of his 36 total receptions during that span.

How does it look in practice?

Using FanSpeak.com’s draft simulator with the aim of addressing immediate needs outside of receiver, here’s how our simulation came out:

(CREATE YOUR OWN HERE AND DROP IT IN THE COMMENTS OR TWEET TO @matthewcoller)

In this case, the Vikings would pick up a Day 1 starting cornerback in Fulton, who allowed just 48 receptions on 111 targets in his direction over the last two years at LSU, per PFF data. And while Epenesa did not have a great NFL Combine, his power and production are impressive enough to give him a chance to contribute right away, even if that is at a three-technique defensive tackle spot as a third down rusher. He was credited with 22 sacks over the last two seasons.

Other potential non-receiver options in this draft simulation (which you can see the entire thing here) included taking Houston tackle Josh Jones, Alabama corner Trevon Diggs, defensive lineman Marlon Davidson, TCU corner Jeff Gladney and LSU safety Grant Delpit.

In the second round, a number of top defensive players like TCU’s Ross Blacklock, Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr. and Alabama edge rusher Terrell Lewis went just before the Vikings at 58th overall. There were still numerous edge rushing prospects as five players at that spot went in the next nine picks but with Epenesa already selected, it made sense to address the offensive line with Boise State’s highly-athletic Ezra Cleveland, who ran a 4.93 40-yard dash at 6-foot-6, 311-pounds in Indy. Similarly to Brian O’Neill, he would likely need a year of development before stepping in but the Vikings desperately need future answers (and depth) on the O-line.

Finally in the third round it was time to pick project players rather than those expected to make an instant impact with receiver with Donovan Peoples-Jones. The Michigan receiver lacked in production with only 71 receptions in the last two years on a team that struggled at quarterback. He’s far from a refined receiver but has tremendous athletic skill and was a five-star recruit coming out of high school. Peoples-Jones has Derrick Rose’s vertical jump at 44.5 inches and runs a 4.48 at 6-foot-2, 212-pounds.

(For the record, quarterback Jake Fromm was on the board at this point).

Corner Troy Pride Jr. is similar in his terrific NFL Combine with a 4.4 40-yard dash and questionable play at times. While he only allowed an 86.6 rating into his coverage per PFF, Pride only had 10 “forced incompletions,” which was 82nd in the country.

Lawrence is a low ceiling, high floor player who might have a chance to see the field right away but isn’t likely to become a star. He could offer some depth inside in a rotation with Jaleel Johnson and Armon Watts.

The takeaway

Kubiak’s offense opens the door to the Vikings taking a surprising direction and passing up on a heap of talented receivers in favor of hoping that one of them on the roster or a mid-round pick develops into quality support for Thielen. It opens up the opportunity for pressing defensive needs to be covered with the first-round picks and either an offensive lineman or another defensive player who can play a role or become a starter in 2021 to be picked in the second.

While it’s a justifiable position for a team that wants to grab one of the seven playoff spots and should have an offense capable of doing so without a first-round receiver, it puts a great deal of pressure on Thielen and could cripple the offense if he’s forced to miss any time. With game-changing talents at receiver in the first and second round, it would be difficult for the Vikings to leave draft night without one.

PUBLICATION: The Athletic DATE: 4/2/20

Execs unfiltered on every NFL team’s free agency moves and trades

By Mike Sando

NFL free agency charged ahead over the past two weeks under unprecedented circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic forced decision-makers to work from home, with at least one of them, New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, battling the coronavirus himself. Teams struggled to complete physical examinations, which led some deals to fall through, but most of the work still got done, including a few transactions that altered the landscape significantly.

Tom Brady is a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. Philip Rivers is an Indianapolis Colt. Stefon Diggs is a Buffalo Bill. DeAndre Hopkins is an Arizona Cardinal. So much has changed so quickly that there’s almost too much to discuss — almost.

It’s time to check in with coaches and execs around the league for thoughts on the major moves and all 32 teams’ approaches to free agency.

Arizona Cardinals Analysts crushed the Houston Texans for trading receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona for running back David Johnson and a second-round pick. The team on the other end of that trade — Arizona — would seem to deserve some credit.

“It is amazing in the NFL that some trades are so lopsided still,” an exec said. “The Hopkins thing was a joke. How the David Johnson contract was included in the deal just astounds me.”

The Cardinals had no desire to feature Johnson in 2020 and no way to escape his fully guaranteed $10.2 million salary unless another team acquired the 28-year-old back with 1,308 yards and a 3.6-yard per carry average over the past three seasons. Enter the Texans, who scooped up Johnson and his contract, enabling Arizona to use the transition tag for its preferred running back, Kenyan Drake, at a cost of $8.4 million in 2020 salary.

The inclusion of Johnson in the deal reminded another exec of the time in 2016 when the Eagles moved up in the draft by trading Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso to the Dolphins. That deal extricated Philadelphia from bad contracts when the Dolphins had greater flexibility under the salary cap.

“On that one, it was like, ‘Wait, who is getting what picks here?'” this exec said. “On this one, Arizona was basically screwed on the David Johnson contract and Houston just bailed them out.”

Hopkins gives the Cardinals a 6-foot-1, 212-pound receiver who turns 28 in June and has averaged 105 receptions with 1,371 yards per season from 2017-19. Evaluators agreed that Hopkins has slowed some, but they thought he’d become an ideal target for second-year Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

“You have to give Arizona the win just on the historical production even though they would probably tell you Hopkins is not going to produce that way, at that level, for the length of the contract if he does get an extension,” an exec said. “The ability to get out from Johnson, I can’t recall if another one like that exists, where a team acquired a high-level player and also was able to divest itself of a negative contract.”

Hopkins has three years remaining on his contract. Whether he plays on that deal or reaches an agreement on an extension will become an important component in evaluating the trade from Arizona’s standpoint. Other teams have drawn criticism for acquiring players such as Laremy Tunsil (Texans) and Jalen Ramsey (Rams) without reaching extensions first.

“Hopkins is really, really good on broken plays, so with Kyler Murray’s mobility, he should put up big numbers for a year or two,” an exec said.

Arizona got less favorable reviews for signing defensive lineman Jordan Phillips to a three-year, $30 million deal. The Cardinals, burned by 2016 first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche, are betting on another talented and highly drafted defensive lineman whose career began poorly. Phillips did enjoy a breakout season with Buffalo in 2019, collecting 9.5 sacks.

“I like what Arizona did overall and if they can string together a good draft this year, they will really be on the upswing based on what they did last year,” an evaluator said. “But I do not see it with Phillips. Miami cut him because he wouldn’t play, then Buffalo picked him up and got a highly motivated player who played well, but I still see him as a two-down player who will revert to doing the minimum now that he is paid handsomely.”

Two notable additions the Falcons made this offseason: Todd Gurley and Dante Fowler. (Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Atlanta Falcons The Falcons were among a handful of cap-strapped teams sweating out the March 15 player vote on a new labor agreement. Once the agreement passed by a 60-vote margin, the league averted a switch to rules that would have reduced cap flexibility. That helped the Falcons add pass-rusher Dante Fowler and running back Todd Gurley to replace Vic Beasley and Devonta Freeman, respectively. The team also acquired tight end Hayden Hurst from Baltimore, giving Atlanta the potential to field 11 first-round picks in its offensive starting lineup.

“I don’t know if any of the players they added are game-changers because nobody knows where Gurley is at physically, but when you looked at where they were in January to getting some players now, that is a pretty good job,” an exec said. “They’ve got to work on the defensive backfield and you presume the offensive line gets healthy, but what looked like a bad situation entering free agency has gotten to a better place unexpectedly.”

Hurst went 25th overall to Baltimore in the 2018 draft. Receiver Calvin Ridley went to Atlanta one pick later. The former SEC rivals will both play for the Falcons in 2020 after Atlanta acquired Hurst and a fourth-round pick from the Ravens for second- and fifth-rounders. What you thought of Hurst in the draft could inform what you think of the trade from a Falcons standpoint.

“I wasn’t as high on Hurst coming out, but when he went to Baltimore, that seemed like a good fit,” an evaluator said. “Why does Baltimore not like Hurst? That is what I keep coming back to, because he seems like a perfect fit in their offense. The targets go to the tight ends and the backs, and here is a guy who is great insurance for Mark Andrews and a viable talent.”

Hurst made sense for the Falcons because they needed a lower-priced alternative to Austin Hooper, the tight end they lost to Cleveland in free agency. Hurst carries cap charges of less than $1.5 million (2020) and $2 million (2021). He could benefit from a fresh start after getting lost on the Ravens’ depth chart behind Andrews and even Nick Boyle.

“They have a lot of good talent, they finished the season strong, they are bringing back their core pieces, and what are they really losing?” another exec said of the Falcons. “If they have a solid draft, which could be tougher for everyone in the current offseason climate, they are New Orleans 2.0 from a couple years ago when they restocked the coffers. If they miss, they are going to have some issues, and it could be a long rebuild there because their cap situation might be the worst in the league.”

Baltimore Ravens Free agency had not yet officially begun and already the Ravens had agreed to acquire five-time Pro Bowl choice Calais Campbell from Jacksonville for a fifth-round pick. They had also agreed to terms with another durable veteran defensive lineman in Michael Brockers, a 2012 Rams first-round pick.

“This is what Baltimore does every year,” an exec said at the time. “They get older guys and their contracts look reasonable compared to the market because the players are older. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes it does not. I cannot imagine they are thrilled with Earl Thomas, so we will see how that goes with Calais. Who knows if Brockers actually signs.”

Brockers did not actually sign with the Ravens. Baltimore backed out of the deal in the absence of medical protocols that became impractical amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After moving on from Brockers, who returned to the Rams, the Ravens turned to Plan B, reaching an agreement with former Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe. It was another classic Ravens move.

“Derek Wolfe will be a great addition to that defense,” an evaluator said. “You look at what (Matt) Judon does on the other side. That defense plays really fast and I think they have the ability to get the best out of players. Wolfe had seven sacks last year. What is he going to have this year? The value is great.”

The exec who questioned the Ravens’ pursuit of older players such as Thomas and Campbell tipped his cap to Baltimore for getting a second-round pick from Atlanta in the Hurst trade.

“Great move by Baltimore,” he said. “Hurst was their third tight end and they got a second-round pick for him. Mark Andrews can’t block, either, but he is a much better receiver than Hurst.”

Buffalo Bills The Bills were generally applauded for their work in bolstering their defense amid persistent protests that they paid too much in acquiring receiver Stefon Diggs from the Vikings heading into a receiver-rich draft. Landing Diggs cost Buffalo its first-round pick (22nd overall), plus fifth- and sixth-rounders, plus a conditional 2021 fourth-rounder. Minnesota sent a seventh-rounder to Buffalo along with Diggs.

“I wouldn’t have done it for one first-round pick, let alone all those other picks,” an exec said. “Diggs seems happy now, but he is going to play with the most inaccurate quarterback he has ever had (Josh Allen), and even if you are the No. 1 receiver there, they are not going to change who they are. Is anyone shocked if Diggs wants a new deal or a trade within a year?”

Diggs joined Odell Beckham, Amari Cooper and Brandin Cooks among wideouts fetching first-round picks via trade over the past five years.

“In Buffalo’s mind, we are doing everything we can to put as much talent around our quarterback and Diggs will automatically be the No. 1 receiver on our team,” another exec said. “The draft is still an unknown. There is still a miss factor, but to me, the question is, will Diggs have a better season than any of his best seasons in Minnesota? I do not think so. New England will just put Stephon Gilmore on him and shut him down for two weeks out of the year. I like that deal on Minnesota’s side way more than Buffalo’s side.”

A veteran coach was less focused on trade value and more interested in what Diggs could add to the Bills’ offense.

“They found a real guy who is young, hungry, cannot wait to get to a new team, grow together with the quarterback, 26 years old, all that,” this coach said. “I like draft picks, too, but with Diggs you get a young finished product, a known quantity who will help the quarterback more than a rookie. Now, if the kid (Allen) still completes under 60 percent, then it falls back on him in year three, but Diggs will certainly help. That is a helluva move.”

Diggs is signed through 2023 with salaries between $10.9 million and $11.4 million. While the receiver market was soft this offseason, the Cowboys signed Amari Cooper for $20 million a year. That beats the $14.4 million average for Diggs, whose career numbers are similar, including an identical 8.7 yards per target.

“Diggs will be happy until he wants to get paid,” an exec predicted. “Having said that, what they did on the defensive line was good.”

The Bills added Mario Addison and Vernon Butler from Carolina, plus Quinton Jefferson from Seattle on deals averaging between $6.8 million and $10.1 million per year. They lost Jordan Phillips and Shaq Lawson on deals averaging $10 million annually.

“They took a strength and they added to it, which I think is smart team building,” an exec said.

“What they did at quarterback was smart,” an exec said of the Panthers’ adding Teddy Bridgewater, “because it doesn’t prevent them from drafting a quarterback if they are able to do it.” Carolina Panthers Signing Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63 million contract brought an end to the Cam Newton era in Carolina, which execs generally thought was OK despite lukewarm excitement for Bridgewater as a long-term solution.

“They are clearly going for a culture restart, which is great, and this is how you do it — you clear the decks,” an exec said. “The thing that gets me about them is trading Trai Turner for Russell Okung. That makes no sense. Okung is five years older, he has had a serious health issue, and he is the definition of a locker room lawyer. And then when you are thinking of a culture builder, I’m not sure WR Robby Anderson (who the Panthers signed to a two-year, $20 million deal) is who I am thinking about first.”

The Turner-for-Okung swap was widely panned even though Carolina could now be better at left tackle. Turner is 26. Okung is 31. There were not draft picks involved. The deal was seen as a coach-driven move in that Okung’s former line coach with the Chargers is now at Carolina.

There was some thought that Carolina might have been better off using the franchise tag to facilitate a trade for cornerback James Bradberry, who left the Panthers for the Giants and $15 million per year. But most of the focus was on Bridgewater, who has started a full season once, in 2015, before suffering a catastrophic knee injury in Vikings camp a year later.

“Carolina would have been a great tank-for-Trevor (Lawrence) candidate, but then they got Teddy,” an evaluator said. “I get you want to set a winning culture right away, but if I’m an owner and we start off 0-4, I’m really tempted to tank for Trevor, just take your bullets for one year.”

Could that be what the Panthers are doing, even with Bridgewater?

“What they did at quarterback was smart,” an exec said, “because it doesn’t prevent them from drafting a quarterback if they are able to do it.”

An evaluator who studied the quarterback market closely this offseason said he thought Bridgewater was a solid backup.

“Since when did Bridgewater become a gold jacket recipient?” an offensive coach said, while another noted that teams in the NFC South could already have an early read on the Panthers’ new offensive system, which will be patterned after the one New Orleans has been operating for years. Bridgewater has a 21-12 starting record with the Vikings and Saints, partly because his teams limited opponents to 18.9 points per game in those starts.

“The jury is still out on Bridgewater,” another exec said. “Other than Patrick Mahomes and Dan Marino, and maybe Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson, what other quarterbacks were stars in their first two years? There is not enough time on the job to just place Teddy Bridgewater in the serviceable starter category. He could be their guy for the long term, especially if the coaching is good, which we frankly have no idea about at this stage.”

Chicago Bears If the Nick Foles acquisition was the most important one for Chicago, the Jimmy Graham signing drew the most heat. Graham, 33, saw his receiving yardage total fall to 447 with Green Bay last season, the lowest of his career since a 356-yard rookie season in 2010. Graham’s $8 million annual average ranks tied for sixth among NFL tight ends with Trey Burton, his new teammate.

“People are making a big deal about Jimmy Graham because they are not happy with how much money he received, but he had a great game against Seattle in the playoffs, was all over the field,” an evaluator said. “If you get from Jimmy Graham what the Packers got from him in the playoffs last year, then you are getting what you wanted. Are we upset with the production that he last left us with?”

Upset? No. Skeptical that Graham will provide such value over a full season? Sure. But with Greg Olsen commanding $7 million per year from Seattle at age 35 and after missing 18 games over the past three seasons, the Bears are not alone. And, as another evaluator noted, Burton has been most effective as a No. 2 tight end, so Graham’s arrival could be welcome.

Free agency is frequently about admitting mistakes. The Bears signed Graham in part because Burton has not flourished. They acquired Foles from Jacksonville for a compensatory fourth-round pick because their 2017 first- round pick, Mitch Trubisky, might not be the answer at quarterback. They signed Robert Quinn to a deal averaging $14 million per year because they hoped to upgrade from 2016 first-rounder Leonard Floyd, who was allowed to leave in free agency. The Quinn deal was heftier than other deals involving highly drafted pass-rushers.

“Chicago moves on from the ninth pick in the draft (Floyd), who they moved up for, and then you pass out $30 million in guarantees to a 30-year-old rusher who has had back issues and played a lot of snaps,” an exec said of Quinn, who turns 30 in May. “He will help them through this year and that is what they are trying to do — win this year — but I’d be a little worried longer term.”

Foles represents a lower-risk fallback.

“If they have to admit Trubisky was a mistake, they have a guy in Foles who has proven he can win coming in midseason,” an exec said. “He is a perfect insurance policy, albeit expensive. When a team thinks they have a lot of talent and can be a solid playoff team and a deep playoff contender, your backup quarterback is pretty important. I don’t have a problem with the Bears paying what they are paying to Foles in order to have him there.”

Replacing Trubisky outright would have been another alternative.

“The point is, they want their guy (Trubisky) to be successful,” another exec said, “but they want to have some protection because he hasn’t gotten over the hump and there will be a lot of pressure if it doesn’t happen this year. You feel more comfortable bringing in a backup you think you can win with as opposed to bringing in Cam Newton or Jameis Winston to unseat your guy. Foles has the trust of the head coach, knows how to support the starter and will come in there and show Trubisky the way a little bit, whereas if you have Cam in there, you are saying you are done with Trubisky.”

Cincinnati Bengals There were double-takes around the NFL when Cincinnati reached agreement with cornerback Trae Waynes for $14 million annually, defensive lineman D.J. Reader for $13.3 million and safety Vonn Bell for $6 million. Before those deals, it was tough finding examples from past offseasons when Cincinnati invested more than even $5.5 million per year for a free agent from another team. Of course, as one evaluator put it, price is what you pay and value is what you get.

“You spend all that money on a corner in Waynes, who struggled in Minnesota and could have been had on a one- year deal,” an exec said. “He is a low-level starting corner at best. Reader is very good at what he does, very stout against the run, but he is a two-down player.”

Cincy’s defense ranked 28th in expected points added over the past three seasons, so some sort of defensive talent infusion was needed. But the uncharacteristic spending on players from other teams led execs to speculate on reasons for the shift.

“Normally they relied more on the draft and then on top of it, they usually have their coaches do a lot of the scouting,” an exec said. “But this year, with the coronavirus, if you are not going to have coaches at pro days and on the road and watching tape, how are you breaking down draft picks?”

This exec put the Patriots in a similar category, noting that New England coach Bill Belichick frequently attends pro days, putting prospects through drills in person. But the Patriots were not big spenders in free agency, and the Bengals dove into the market just as COVID-19 concerns were escalating.

“My guess would be that (owner and general manager) Mike Brown has maybe let the reins go to (executive vice president) Katie (Blackburn) and (vice president) Troy (Blackburn) and maybe they go, ‘Hey, if we go get Joe Burrow in the draft, let’s change our tactics a little bit,’ which obviously they have,” an evaluator said.

It was also noted that the Bengals, like the Packers last offseason, have funneled resources toward the defensive side under a young offensive-minded coach who might have less say in personnel than his more seasoned and empowered counterparts. Perhaps the Bengals are planning to lean heavily toward the offensive side in the draft.

The big cash outlays in free agency could be offset if the Bengals traded quarterback Andy Dalton and/or receiver A.J. Green, who are each in line to receive more than $17.5 million in salary for 2020.

“For the bulk of Marvin Lewis’ time there, they were drafting pretty well, especially early, and they retained a lot of those guys, which you don’t get as much attention for,” an exec said. “They are drafting No. 1 overall on merit. They needed an influx of talent. And they have a new coach coming off a 2-14 season, and they need him to have some success.”

Cleveland Browns The Browns again made big changes this offseason, but their moves in free agency and the trade market have been pretty straightforward. Their three most expensive signings landed a solid tackle in Jack Conklin for $14 million per year, a solid tight end in Austin Hooper ($10.5 million) and a solid backup quarterback in Case Keenum ($6 million). Those were targeted strikes, not wild swings.

“Hooper is a huge add because now they have him and (David) Njoku, so they can be in 12 personnel like the head coach wants to be and have two viable guys,” an evaluator said. “Now you have to play nickel against 12 when you play those guys. What does that do to your power run game? That said, the tight ends that are worth the top money are the guys that can split out by themselves on the back side of 3-by-1s and win. Hooper is not that.”

The $10.5 million average for Hooper ranks second among tight ends behind the $10.6 million franchise tag number for the Chargers’ Hunter Henry. The 49ers’ George Kittle, signed through 2020, figures to raise that bar on his next contract.

“They did not get splash guys despite paying near the top of the market for the tight end and right tackle, but those positions do not require that,” an exec said. “They will be better. Conklin is not a great pass protector, but he is pretty good in the run game. The tight end was the best tight end on the market, and they really need that for that offense. Keenum can help Baker Mayfield.”

Amari Cooper got a five-year, $100 million contract from the Cowboys. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys’ Amari Cooper was the only young, highly regarded receiver with a 1,000-yard season on his resume to sniff free agency this offseason. He got a five-year, $100 million contract that placed him behind only Julio Jones’ $22 million mark in annual average at the position. That was not ideal for the Cowboys, who also employ the NFL’s highest-paid running back in Ezekiel Elliott and its No. 7 quarterback in Dak Prescott, whose franchise tag is worth $31.5 million.

“I’m always suspicious when I hear a guy like Cooper took less money than he could have got from another team when the dollars are at the top of the market,” an exec said. “I’m not convinced the Redskins were willing to pay $20 million a year. Teams get bluffed in free agency. You have to be willing to say, ‘Here is what we are willing to do.’ Amari Cooper, $20 million? To me, it should be no more than $15 million with all the receivers in the draft and what the veteran receivers were getting in free agency.”

Ten other receivers earn more than $15 million annually: Jones, Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham, Tyreek Hill, A.J. Green, Mike Evans, Adam Thielen, DeAndre Hopkins, Brandin Cooks, Sammy Watkins and Jarvis Landry. The Cowboys, having already invested a first-round pick to acquire Cooper from Oakland during the 2018 season, moved Cooper past Thomas, who signed his deal with the Saints in July 2019 and is the NFL’s volume leader at the position.

“It comes back down to, how many guys are really difference makers?” another exec said. “That is who you pay the top of the market to. I’m sorry, Amari Cooper helps, but he does not tilt the field. He has not shown up consistently. You can say a lot of negative things about Antonio Brown, but he was a difference maker.”

Prescott’s long-term contract situation remains unsettled amid speculation he could be following Kirk Cousins’ precedent to maximize his earnings through repeated use of the franchise tag before reaching unrestricted free agency — a great way to build earnings, an exec noted, but maybe not the best way to build a legacy.

Denver Broncos The Broncos have a long history of finding productive running backs without investing much draft capital or free- agent dollars, which was reason for execs to wonder why Denver added Melvin Gordon for $8 million annually. That was the one puzzling move among others that made sense, notably the addition of former Lions center Graham Glasgow to the offensive line, the acquisitions of defensive tackle Jurrell Casey and cornerback A.J. Bouye, and the return of defensive end Shelby Harris, who had six sacks and seemed likely to leave in free agency.

“Denver did well getting Casey for a seven that can move up, which is almost like getting a free-agent signing with no guaranteed money,” an exec said. “The Melvin Gordon signing is tough for Phillip Lindsay because it’s hard to see what his fit is going to be. Lindsay is not your classic smaller back who catches a bunch of passes. He is not a goal- line guy. He does what Melvin Gordon does. Why pay Gordon when you have Lindsay?”

GM John Elway said he did it because Gordon upgraded the position.

“I was surprised Melvin Gordon went there because they had two good backs already,” an evaluator said. “They are going to have a good running game. They did a good job helping the offensive line with Glasgow. That is a good move. He will be solid for them. The quarterback still needs more weapons.”

Free agency supplemented the offense. Trades addressed the defense. Bouye carries $13 million base salaries for the next two seasons before becoming eligible for free agency. He is two years younger than former Broncos mainstay corner Chris Harris and has played in 46 fewer games. Harris signed with the Chargers in free agency for $8.5 million per season.

“They add Bouye in a scheme where it is not hard to play corner,” an exec said. “That means they do not have to use a first-round pick on a corner. They can take best available. They added an inside rusher with Casey, they are getting Bradley Chubb back, they have Von Miller, who is going to play hard because he wants one more contract, and they are keeping (Justin) Simmons, their best safety.”

Detroit Lions The Lions traded top cornerback Darius Slay, a prominent holdover from the team’s previous leadership, and then targeted among their priority free agents Jamie Collins and Danny Shelton, who played for New England, where current Lions GM Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia spent much of their careers. Similar patterns play out around the league as coaches and execs sign players familiar to them, but some found it interesting to connect the ways Bill Belichick and his former understudies, Patricia among them, have sought to mold team culture.

The Lions traded Slay, who had become disgruntled because, in his telling, Patricia had insulted him in front of the team. The Texans, under former Patriots assistant Bill O’Brien, recently unloaded star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Belichick himself moved on from Tom Brady. Last season, it was the Dolphins’ Brian Flores, another Patriots alum, trading away multiple key players, including safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who instantly became a star with Pittsburgh.

“There are not enough good players to go around to get rid of them,” an exec said. “Who has time? Who has five years to wait? Detroit has gotten rid of several guys. There was the receiver midseason which killed their (2018) season, Golden Tate. There have been a few guys over the years, like (Quandre) Diggs.”

The Slay trade, taken in isolation, could make sense for the Lions.

“I get it in that Slay wanted the No. 1 contract and seemed to want out and was very vocal and had a falling out with Matt Patricia,” an evaluator said. “It makes sense if they say they will get (Ohio State corner Jeffrey) Okudah and keep getting New England guys to build that culture. I don’t hate it. Slay is a productive guy, but for that cost and I think once you have a falling out like that, it is like Odell Beckham was — addition by subtraction at that point.”

The Lions signed former Falcons corner Desmond Trufant as immediate insurance for Slay and could go with Okudah in the first round of the draft.

“Trufant is a downgrade from Slay, but he can play if he is healthy, and I think they can win with a player of the caliber of Trufant,” an exec said. “He still has some ability. They have more flexibility with picks and money. It is probably the best of a bad situation. Patricia has to put his stamp on that defense. He can’t put Belichick’s stamp on it. They had (defensive coordinator) Paul Pasqualoni last year. He stepped down. It is going to be on Patricia. The Fords do a nice job of giving whoever they have given the keys to the opportunity to grow and develop, but at some point you gotta show what this investment is all about.”

There was more than the Slay trade to the Lions’ initial forays into free agency. Trufant, tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Collins all signed for at least $10 million annually.

“Detroit is getting crushed and rightfully so in many respects,” an exec said. “However, the (Halapoulivaati) Vaitai signing is actually a really good value in this market. He has similar cash flow to George Fant (signed by the Jets) but his deal is longer, which is better for the team.”

Green Bay Packers Free agency played a leading role in the Packers’ team building last offseason. This year, not so much. Linebacker Christian Kirksey, tackle Ricky Wagner and receiver Devin Funchess are not game-changing additions to a roster that has subtracted tight end Jimmy Graham, tackle Bryan Bulaga, linebacker Blake Martinez, linebacker Kyler Fackrell and receiver Geronimo Allison, who were not necessarily game-changing talents, either.

“You see some of their guys going to the Giants, which is (defensive coordinator) Patrick Graham taking the guys he coached when he was in Green Bay,” an evaluator said. “They are losing a lot of guys who played a lot of snaps. Martinez and Fackrell, it is unfortunate they are gone. I like those players. Fackrell came on strong at the end. It’s tough to see why Kirksey’s market was so hot. He has played nine games the last two seasons. I did not see that personally.”

Others felt better about Kirksey, calling him athletic and smart. The Packers would like to find a more durable alternative to Bulaga at right tackle and may or may not have done so with Wagner. Bulaga has played 30 games over the past two seasons, three more than Wagner has played. Wagner, 30, has averaged 14.6 games played per season over his seven-year career. Bulaga, 31, has averaged 12.8 games played per season over his nine-year career.

“The contract Wagner had in Detroit was a little generous, but that was the market at the time,” an exec said. “The Packers got a friendlier number and he will be a solid player for them. Bulaga is probably a better player, but he carries higher injury concerns in my mind.”

Houston Texans Teams were not shocked the Texans traded Hopkins. Several execs said Houston had gauged teams’ interest in the receiver even last season. What shocked teams was what Houston got in return for Hopkins and a fourth-round pick: Cardinals running back David Johnson and Johnson’s guaranteed $10.2 million salary, plus a second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-rounder. Many execs said unkind things about this trade and the job Texans coach Bill O’Brien is doing as GM. We’ll get to some of their criticisms, but first, in the interests of fairness, does anyone sort of see what the Texans were thinking here?

“They have been shopping the guy (Hopkins) for a year-and-a-half, so let’s not pretend they do not know what the market is,” an exec said of Houston. “They clearly knew the market. Other teams were scared of the market, and I think with players like Hopkins who have actually held out, there is fear of what the contract looks like. Do I think they should have taken on David Johnson? No, they did not do a great deal, but they were at a point where they just wanted to move on, and that is the danger of having the head coach being the GM.”

Hopkins has three years remaining on his contract. Another exec suggested the Texans feared setting a bad precedent by reworking that deal, were already budgeting for Deshaun Watson’s second contract, planned to target receivers in the draft and had some lingering concerns stemming from Hopkins’ availability for practice, which at its worst included the receiver playing in games without participating in warmups.

“I’m in the minority here,” a former head coach said, “but I can understand what Houston is doing. The coach did not like Hopkins and then he is all over the place as a player. I don’t know how well he runs anymore. It’s hard to evaluate when that is the guy the quarterback is going to throw to all the time, and he is a scrambling quarterback who is buying time. It’ll be the same thing in Arizona. You can argue what they got for him, but if you believe in the back like they obviously do, you feel like you got a No. 1 pick (Johnson) and you got a No. 2 pick. O’Brien is looking at it that way.”

Others are not looking at it that way.

Evaluators agreed that Hopkins has declined, with one comparing him to Larry Fitzgerald several years ago, when Fitzgerald’s numbers were still robust, but his physical attributes had eroded some.

“Still, I could not pull any punches,” this evaluator said. “There was just no way to spin it. People were texting their buddies from the Cardinals. Look, I’m not as anti-running back as the analytics guys are, but even having said that, it is mind-blowing, especially when you see what Minnesota got in the (Stefon) Diggs trade.”

Johnson should be a much better fit for the Texans’ offense than he was in the offense Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury reconfigured last season, well after Arizona had struck a long-term deal with Johnson. Still, there are other productive backs, including Carlos Hyde, although Johnson offers much more as a receiver.

“I really like Hopkins, I wouldn’t give him up and I can find a running back comparable to David Johnson,” a former GM said. “Hopkins is already making $14 million. You pay him $19 million. Big deal. You get a couple more years. I don’t trust those decision makers in Houston. They scare me. There is too much of a coach mindset. What do I need today?”

Another exec thought the situation in Houston was regrettable enough for Watson to resist entering into contract talks until ownership commits to a more conventional structure, or at least commits to employing a prominent personnel evaluator to balance out O’Brien.

“There is a team-building philosophy to trade your best player to replenish your roster,” another exec said. “If they had gotten more for Hopkins, this would all make sense. They are going to be able to replace Hopkins with that second-round pick based off the volume of receivers in the draft, but good God, you could have gotten better value. And it doesn’t stop there.”

This exec called into question the $18 million guaranteed that Houston allocated for Randall Cobb, the $12 million annual average for Bradley Roby and the $7 million average for Eric Murray. But nearly all the focus was on the Hopkins trade.

“It seemed like it was, ‘I want to get rid of the guy (Hopkins) because I don’t want the guy,’ instead of, ‘I want to get rid of the guy to get better,’ ” an evaluator said.

“I do think it is a worthwhile gamble on the part of the Colts to bring in Philip Rivers for one year,” an exec said. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images) Indianapolis Colts If the Colts surveyed the AFC South this offseason, they would have seen the Jaguars holding an estate sale, the Texans unloading their best receiver and the Titans doubling down on Ryan Tannehill for $118 million.

“I do think it is a worthwhile gamble on the part of the Colts to bring in Philip Rivers for one year,” an exec said. “Where is their franchise for 2020? Are they a contending team? Do people think Tennessee is building a dynastry there and you are fighting for second? Jacksonville obviously is not building one. Houston is being accused of rank incompetence.”

Rivers was one of nine quarterbacks to achieve Tier 1 status in our 2019 Quarterback Tiers survey of 55 coaches and executives. He did not play to that level for reasons that included severe problems along the Chargers’ offensive line. The Colts own arguably the top line in the league. Their coach, Frank Reich, coached Rivers with the Chargers previously.

“I’m a little nervous for the Colts if they are a wild-card team at 10-6,” an exec said. “Is that enough to keep Rivers going in Indy where maybe he is not seeing his family every day the way he always has been? He could be gone in a year and you have to find somebody else anyway.”

Whether or not the Colts signed Rivers, they could have tried to use the 13th pick in the draft for a long-term solution at the position. They did not like those prospects enough to stop them from sending that choice to San Francisco for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who they then rewarded with a four-year, $84 million deal. Giving up premium draft capital for the right to pay veteran players at the top of the market isn’t always the way to go.

“Is it reasonable to think Buckner could play the next five years?” an exec asked. “Yes, and that is all you would get out of a first-round pick who you have no idea can play in the NFL. You know Buckner can play.”

The Colts alternatively could have targeted South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw in the draft while pursuing Javon Hargrave in free agency.

“Would that combination be better than Buckner?” an evaluator asked. “Maybe, but they needed veteran leadership and elite talent. Buckner gives them both. Rivers gives them the leadership on offense. This team couldn’t right itself last season. They’ve got some guys to turn toward now.”

Jacksonville Jaguars Tom Coughlin’s tenure as Jacksonville’s executive decision-maker ended notoriously after the NFL Players Association revealed that 25 percent of all player grievances filed over the past two years implicated the Jaguars. Coughlin’s tenure, flawed as it was, should be remembered for something else as well. Those three seasons marked a time when the team’s identity was crystal clear. For better or worse, the Jaguars were going to run the ball and play defense in the absence of a quarterback good enough to change the dynamic.

The plan now is apparently to dump salary, clean up the cap and start building through the draft, where Jacksonville possesses additional capital from the Jalen Ramsey trade last season. Even before the Jaguars sent Ramsey, their best player, to the Rams for two first-round picks, they had parted with safety Tashaun Gipson in a salary-related move last offseason. The tear-down has continued this offseason with trades sending quarterback Nick Foles to Chicago, defensive lineman Calais Campbell to Baltimore and cornerback A.J. Bouye to Denver. Those trades netted only a series of mid-round picks, plus lots of cash savings. The rebuild is on, even though owner Shad Khan has said he has high expectations for 2020, and it’s unclear where fourth-year coach Doug Marrone fits into the long-term equation.

“You are starting over,” an exec said. “Those were obviously good players, older guys in some cases, and you cannot pay everybody. I get it. But it is just like, OK, in the middle of it, we are changing. The Titans are coming back whole, Philip Rivers is coming to the division with a good Colts team around him and then the Texans have been a playoff team.”

Meanwhile, free-agent addition Joe Schobert takes over at middle linebacker for Myles Jack, who signed a four-year, $57 million extension last offseason and will now move to the weak side, where some thought he was best suited all along.

“Some of their players have on paper been good and it just hasn’t worked there,” an exec said. “Calais Campbell has been a very good player. It is not like he bombed there. The Broncos think Bouye is a shut-down type corner. They have no problem paying him $13.5 million a year. Jalen Ramsey was one of the best corners in the league. It is not like these guys have been busts that they had to get rid of because they were terrible.”

Kansas City Chiefs The Chiefs have not done much in free agency. That probably beats the alternative for a team that is well-stocked coming off a Super Bowl victory.

“They don’t have obvious holes, but the other part of free agency that doesn’t get talked about is, you are budgeting for the quarterback, whether it is next year of the year afterward,” an exec said. “That is part of the process right now.”

Patrick Mahomes will surely reset the market when he signs, but by how much?

“Does Mahomes want to push it and have nobody to play with, or does he want to be the top guy for a couple months and leave some room to have people to play with?” an exec said.

Re-signing receiver Demarcus Robinson was not a given for the Chiefs, but a weak market at the position worked in their favor. There was some thought Kansas City might trade franchise-tagged defensive tackle Chris Jones, but he could remain an important inside pass-rusher for them.

“They have done nothing and I think they are wise to have done nothing,” an evaluator said. “What did they really lose here? They can replace all these guys. The teams that do nothing are often the best teams.”

Las Vegas Raiders The Raiders addressed their defense by adding linebacker Cory Littleton, defensive end Carl Nassib, linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, cornerback Eli Apple, defensive tackle Maliek Collins and safety Jeff Heath. More on those guys in a minute. First, the Marcus Mariota signing.

“I think Mariota starts 10-plus games for them and fits well with what Jon Gruden wants to do,” an evaluator who was high on Mariota coming out of Oregon said. “If Jon loved Derek Carr, why is Marcus Mariota there? If you’ve got all the confidence in the world with your quarterback, why was Mariota one of the very early signings in free agency, maybe even the first quarterback announcement?”

Mariota is the first quarterback Gruden has signed to a contract of any significance since returning to the sideline before the 2018 season. That doesn’t necessarily mean Carr is imperiled, but the evaluator quoted above did see comparisons between Mariota and Rich Gannon, the mobile quarterback Gruden developed into a league MVP and Super Bowl starter nearly two decades ago, after Gannon’s career started slowly in Kansas City.

“I do know the head coach loves Mariota,” an exec said. “It is probably a good mix for Mariota and Carr personality- wise. Marcus is not going to come in and cause problems. He will work and do his job. I do think there is a Gannon comparison and I think Jon has a knack for resurrecting those guys.”

The Raiders’ defensive additions were not as sexy, but they did seem purposeful.

“They are building through the middle on defense,” an evaluator said. “Heath is an example of that. He will be in the box. Buffalo did something similar when they got the two safeties in (Jordan) Poyer and (Micah) Hyde. They drafted (Tremaine) Edmunds. They loaded up on the D-tackle spot. The Raiders are only going as far as their quarterback, but they are going to be a tough, physical team.”

Los Angeles Chargers The Chargers are a tougher team to figure after parting with Philip Rivers and not landing Tom Brady. Will they select a quarterback with the sixth overall pick in the draft? Will they proceed with Tyrod Taylor as their starter? With a long list of marquee players in line for contracts next year — Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry among them — Taylor could provide a cost-effective option under a coach in Anthony Lynn who could want to win through reduced turnovers, running the ball and playing good defense.

“Three years ago, Tyrod Taylor is in the playoffs and then he has been through the mentor situation in Cleveland with Baker Mayfield and you hear great things about Tyrod as a teammate,” an exec said, “but if you are ready to win, he is probably not the guy. A lot still has to be dictated by the quarterback situation.”

Free-agent additions Bryan Bulaga, Chris Harris and Linval Joseph have a few things in common. All have been good players. All are at least 30 years old. Trai Turner, the guard the Chargers acquired from Carolina in the Russell Okung trade, is younger (26) and could be a long-term starter.

“They signed three older guys, which I don’t like to do in free agency unless you think you are close,” another exec said. “Harris is a solid player who doesn’t run very well any more and did not have much of a market. Linval Joseph is 32 and will play good early. Bulaga has been hurt a lot.”

If the Chargers do break in a young quarterback, they’ll have some veteran leadership in place.

“They did not pay Melvin Gordon, which was good, but then did you really get the most value out of him?” an evaluator asked. “He went to Denver for a pretty good salary. Could you not have gotten something for him last year?”

The market for running backs during the season could have been less than the market for Gordon in Denver this offseason specifically.

“You get the feeling Anthony Lynn would have played Tyrod at the end of last season if it hadn’t been a tough situation with Rivers,” an exec said. “I could see him wanting to go with Tyrod, who is his guy. I don’t necessarily see Cam (Newton) moving the needle in L.A. and it just bogs down everything else they want to do, so that one might surprise me.”

Los Angeles Rams Perceptions of the Rams hold that the team is tapped out after trading away draft choices and investing heavily in players ranging from Jared Goff to Brandin Cooks. Those perceptions have merit, but in looking at key players the team lost — Dante Fowler, Cory Littleton and even Nickell Robey-Coleman — it’s questionable whether the Rams would have paid premium prices for them even if resources had been more readily available to them.

The Rams have been in the short-term pass-rusher market for a while. Fowler was part of that until the Falcons signed him to a three-year, $45 million deal. Los Angeles turned to another rental in Leonard Floyd, who spent two seasons with new Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley as his position coach in Chicago.

Floyd was among several pass-rushers to reach the market this offseason after entering the NFL as top-15 overall choices. That group included Fowler, Robert Quinn, Jadeveon Clowney, Floyd, Bruce Irvin and Vic Beasley. Quinn and Fowler, both former Rams, landed meatier deals spanning multiple seasons. Floyd and Beasley were had on one-year deals in the $10 million range.

“I like Leonard Floyd,” an exec said. “Lacks power, but very talented and he plays really hard. He will help them. They do not have anybody opposite him, but he will help. The problem is, they have had so many issues cap-wise and contract-wise. They do have Jalen Ramsey, but they are limited.”

The Rams re-signed 38-year-old left tackle Andrew Whitworth, added defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson from the Lions and brought back defensive end Michael Brockers unexpectedly after Brockers reached an agreement with Baltimore on a deal that fell through. And they finally cut Todd Gurley.

“What would I have done differently?” an exec asked. “I would not have traded for Jalen Ramsey last year. That is pretty simple. Even if they lost Marcus Peters, they would still have their two ones and they would have about $11 million they would be able to go out and get a player with.”

Execs said the 26-year-old Cooks, who has already been traded for a first-round pick twice in his career, could be a trade candidate in the future, but from a salary-cap standpoint, that deal would be easier for the Rams to escape after the 2020 season.

The Dolphins opened up their checkbook to Byron Jones, as well as linebacker Kyle Van Noy and pass-rusher Shaq Lawson. (Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports) Miami Dolphins Though the Dolphins made strides as last season progressed, their personnel moves made it clear they were not playing for 2019. They were playing for the future, which now seems to include 2020. Tom Brady’s departure from the Patriots signals the shift New England’s AFC East rivals have long-awaited. Miami, a team that downplayed the role of free agency last offseason, opened the checkbook to add cornerback Byron Jones, linebacker Kyle Van Noy and pass-rusher Shaq Lawson to expensive deals.

“You can honestly say the Dolphins, based on how they finished up the year, could be a favorite to win that division,” an exec said, although Vegas oddsmakers do not yet agree. “They have some good picks. They will get a quarterback, whether it is Tua Tagovailoa or one of those other guys. They signed some guys on defense who fit their scheme. They are going to be right in it. If you are Miami, who are you scared of in the division?”

Another exec said Buffalo would be his choice, and he would not rule out New England, either, despite Brady’s departure.

“Historically, Miami resets every four years and they spend a lot of money in free agency, they bomb, they get a pass to start over,” this exec said. “Everyone can say they played good at the end of the year, but they did tank. They unloaded a bunch of players that really played well other places — the running back (Kenyan Drake), the left tackle (Laremy Tunsil), the receiver (Kenny Stills), the safety (Minkah Fitzpatrick), other guys before that. That is not evaluating your own correctly or a coach that is going to do it his way or the highway. The good thing is, they have a bunch of picks, so they can have a good mix of youth and highly paid guys, which works until those highly paid guys don’t produce.”

Nearly all the free-agent signings addressed the Dolphins’ defense. The offense could change markedly through the draft.

“It is rare to find a corner like Byron Jones available, so if you have the money, go ahead and do it,” another exec said. “Van Noy is a guy that (coach Brian) Flores knows. You can justify that. Some of the other deals can get you in trouble — like, could you spend $10 million (in combined APY) for two players to give you similar production as you will get from Lawson and (Emmanuel) Ogbah for $17.5 million? I would think so, but they have a long runway, so they will be alright.”

Jones’ addition buys short-term insurance for No. 1 corner Xavien Howard, who could face league discipline after being arrested in December on a domestic battery charge. Longer term, Jones and Howard give Miami the NFL’s two highest-paid corners for a scheme that is predicated on man coverage.

“If they had an interior pass-rusher, they would be pretty set on defense,” an exec said. “Let’s say they draft a quarterback at five. In this draft, there is one really strong interior pass-rusher, Derrick Brown. Maybe they use this draft to bulk up their offensive line to help their quarterback.”

Minnesota Vikings This offseason offered teams an unusual number of options at quarterback, which is why it was notable the Vikings chose to extend their relationship with Kirk Cousins, who leveraged a $30 million signing bonus and two years of fully guaranteed salaries from the Vikings’ desire for greater cap flexibility.

“They have a good roster,” an exec said. “The only thing I was surprised about, and maybe their New Orleans game changed it, but the reaffirmation of Cousins during an offseason when they had so many opportunities in the market to do something different did not seem assured. From there, they moved on from Diggs and got rid of some guys who were underperforming their contracts. Their ability to take Diggs and turn him into another receiver that is cheaper works.”

The Diggs trade to Buffalo overshadowed other moves the Vikings made. Execs loved the value Minnesota got for Diggs, which included picks in the first, fifth and sixth rounds this year, plus a fourth-rounder in 2021. The Vikings sent a seventh-round pick to the Bills with Diggs.

“They basically got a first-round pick for Diggs, which in light of what Houston did, is a helluva trade for them,” an exec said. “If I am Minnesota, with this receiver group in the draft, we are thinking, ‘Look, we have all these picks, we do not need to pay Diggs, and we can find someone who, even if they are a slight level down, can do everything Diggs is doing.'”

New England Patriots Losing Tom Brady to the Buccaneers was not a singular event this offseason. It was the culmination of events that included two recent contract negotiations that indicated the Patriots would be OK letting him go, unless owner Robert Kraft was planning to intervene at the last moment, which was always a possibility. And so the Patriots are moving forward with Jarrett Stidham and veteran backup Brian Hoyer as their primary quarterbacks, at least for now. One exec thought they would wait until possibly June before considering a veteran on the cheap — say, if the Bengals had released Andy Dalton by then.

“You never want to count them out, but it looks pretty grim now,” another exec said. “People liked Stidham coming out, so that will be interesting. I would think they are filling the roles they need on defense and they know the quarterback is going to make the offense go and they are not going to force it. They are not going to hamstring themselves with some player they do not love that they have to commit to. They would rather just be flexible with it, which is actually a similar approach to the one Miami is taking.”

The Patriots could have decided they lacked the offensive infrastructure to maximize Brady at this stage of the quarterback’s career. They could have preferred moving on from Brady one year early or right on time, instead of a year too late. Some execs thought Brady deserved more consideration from the Patriots than he ultimately received, which could have manifested itself in a deal with greater security than the one-year commitment New England preferred.

“They created the environment that forced Brady to leave if he felt any respect to himself,” one of these execs said. “The fact that Brady went well past money being a factor and even winning being a factor, he was determined to move if they weren’t going to treat him with the respect that his performance warranted.”

Not that there is much precedent for quarterbacks about to turn 43 years old.

“When they let guys leave, a lot of times those guys don’t do much,” another exec said. “I tend to believe in the coach who won six Super Bowls. The guy is pretty sharp. I just think he’d rather get rid of a player a year early than a year late, rather than lock in for two years. I wouldn’t be surprised if they won the division, even though it looks on paper like they have no chance.”

The Patriots still have the makings for a formidable defense. They have won with defense and a young quarterback previously, albeit 15-plus years ago, with Brady being that young quarterback.

“When they did it that way with Brady, they were pretty young and bright-eyed,” an evaluator said.”What happens if they lose three out of four games mid-year? What do the young guys do? What do the veterans do? What is their response when adversity hits? How does Belichick bounce back? It’s a 20-year run.”

New Orleans Saints The Saints are basically the Falcons from a salary-cap machinations standpoint, except New Orleans has a league- best 26-6 record over the past two seasons, compared to 14-18 for Atlanta. The Saints lost relatively little in free agency and managed to add former Broncos and 49ers receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who had a season-high 157 yards receiving against New Orleans last season, the most a player has had against the Saints since Antonio Brown gained 185 yards in 2018.

“It seems like every year New Orleans manages to add a player at the cost of something, and it’s unclear what that may be,” an exec said. “Whenever Drew Brees leaves and they have to rebuild, that rebuilding process is going to be really interesting. If they keep trading picks, it is going to be a problem. The message could become, do what you can while you have a quarterback, but just know you are going to pay the piper in the end.”

In addition to re-signing Brees, the Saints brought back safety Malcolm Jenkins from the Eagles for $8 million annually, the same figure Sanders received. A GM said he liked the signing and thought Jenkins could add leadership. Another exec was less sure, noting that Jenkins’ deal carries the kind of longer-term cap implications that can limit flexibility. Jenkins, 32 and a Super Bowl winner with both the Saints and Eagles, has not missed a game since 2013, the final season of his initial run with New Orleans.

“Their situation is a little similar to the Rams’ situation, in that this plot was hatched long before this free agency and this is just what they do,” an exec said. “I don’t love it because when you need to get out from a contract, it is really hard to do. The question is, with a little patience and deliberation, would they be in the same spot, but be able to be more flexible. They live on the edge every year.”

New York Giants Cornerback James Bradberry and linebacker Blake Martinez were the Giants’ most expensive signings. These were targeted strikes for players GM Dave Gettleman and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham knew well, as was the signing of linebacker Kyler Fackrell, who played with Martinez in Green Bay, where Graham once coached the position.

“I don’t think the Giants did bad in free agency,” an exec said, offering what sounded like a strong endorsement compared to criticisms levied against the team in recent offseasons. “The Giants lost guys like Mike Remmers and Antonio Hamilton, who are easily replaced. They are not overpaying to keep marginally better or the same players.”

The Giants used the franchise tag to keep defensive lineman Leonard Williams without necessarily having a clear path toward a long-term deal. That situation is a remnant from the widely criticized decision to trade for Williams when the former first-round pick of the Jets was in the final year of his rookie deal.

“What are they going to do with Leonard Williams?” an evaluator asked. “To me, he is Jadeveon Clowney. They both think they are worth more than they are worth, and no one wants to pay them. The stats do not tell the story and even if you like him, it’s tough to convince your owner that he is such a dynamic game-changer. They should lose him, but then that makes the GM look bad and that is never the answer when you have one of these jobs and you feel the need to constantly be the one who makes the right decisions.”

There are varied opinions on Bradberry, the corner Gettleman drafted in Carolina, but evaluators sometimes value different things at the position.

“Great guy, really good player — not a great one, but really good,” an evaluator said of Bradberry. “He is one of those guys who could drop off fast because he is big and not a natural quick-twitch guy, kind of like the Minnesota guy (Xavier Rhodes) who just dropped off. But he is a good player now.”

New York Jets It’s strange seeing the Bengals making bigger-ticket purchases than the Jets in free agency, especially with coach Adam Gase and quarterback Sam Darnold entering what would seem to be pivotal seasons. But after the Jets made poor investments under a desperate GM last offseason, a little restraint could be good for the long-term outlook. Not that the Jets were inactive. They signed a long list of players without making a long list of commitments deep into the future.

It’s a successful free agency if the Jets fixed their offensive line, which multiple execs thought they did not despite signing former Seattle tackle George Fant and former Denver center Connor McGovern, each for about $9 million per year.

“What is worse, tying yourself to Le’Veon Bell for $27 million guaranteed, or tying yourself to Fant and McGovern for $31 million guaranteed?” an exec asked.

That depends upon one’s opinion of Fant and McGovern. The Jets apparently thought better of those two than others did, particularly concerning Fant.

“I like Fant as a third tackle,” another exec said, “and McGovern is OK.”

Fant was once considered the Seahawks’ left tackle of the future, but a serious knee injury prevented him from playing in 2017, resetting his trajectory. Seattle used him extensively as an additional lineman in a power scheme, but the Seahawks let both Fant and their starting right tackle, Germain Ifedi, depart.

“Fant is really like a developmental tackle,” another exec said. “I don’t think their line is fixed at all.”

Breshad Perriman’s acquisition on a deal averaging $6.0 million had the potential to become a cost-effective alternative to Robby Anderson, who left the Jets for Carolina. With Tampa Bay last season, Perriman was one of 83 NFL wideouts with at least 30 receptions. He ranked No. 1 among them in percentage of receptions gaining more than 15 yards.

“Perriman played well, and now he has to prove he can do it for a season,” a GM said, “It is always for four or five games with him.”

The Eagles traded for Darius Slay to improve the cornerback position. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press) Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles have been a mess at cornerback and should be better there after acquiring Darius Slay from the Lions for third- and fifth-round picks.

“I like Slay and think he will bounce back,” an evaluator said. “He had a good season in Detroit given what was going on there. I think he will have a great year. And then the Javon Hargave signing is solid. Howie (Roseman) is always going to bolster his front lines.”

Slay was known to be available for a long time, dating back to last season, without a long line of teams bidding up the price. Philly signed him to a three-year, $50 million extension that gives the Eagles an easy out after two seasons. Most execs seemed to like the acquisition for Philly.

Not everyone loved it, with one mentioning the Eagles’ widely celebrated 2011 acquisition and signing of Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Asomugha, like Slay now, was a three-time Pro Bowl choice. They were at similar stages of their careers.

“Why didn’t the rest of the league want this guy for even a second-round pick if the contract was so reasonable?” this exec asked.

Of course, it’s unfair to compare every celebrated Eagles signing to one that failed famously nearly a decade ago.

“Good trade, good signing,” a GM said. “And then at receiver, they did what they should have done, which is nothing. They’ll draft for that position.”

Roseman recently called Alshon Jeffery’s burdensome contract “the elephant in the room” while stressing that the team needs the receiver to get healthy and produce. Would the Eagles be willing to eat some of Jeffery’s salary or part with a draft choice in exchange for another team taking on the receiver’s contract?

Pittsburgh Steelers The Steelers came up a few times when execs were asked where they thought former Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston might fit best.

“Mike Tomlin would do such a good job with him,” an exec said. “Jameis fits the offense there, and I’m just a big fan of Mike’s leadership and think he handles young, talented players who might need help very well. He respects talent. If you put Jameis with Mike and he backed up there until Ben (Roethlisberger) was finished, you might have something.”

But with Winston still on the market, actual Steelers signings carry greater import than imagined ones. Eric Ebron’s addition on a two-year, $12 million deal seems favorable because the Steelers got a second year at an affordable rate, should Ebron enjoy the type of season he produced in 2018 when he had 13 touchdown receptions with Indianapolis.

“Ebron is a frontrunner, but when you are doing well like Indy was when (Andrew) Luck was still playing, he was very productive,” an evaluator said. “If the team does well, they will love him and he will love the team, and if it starts to go south, we’ll see. Drops are always an issue with him, but when he is playing with a good quarterback and getting his numbers, you can get the best out of him. He should definitely open things up for Ben a little.”

San Francisco 49ers With the 49ers’ interest in Tom Brady and the possible implications for Jimmy Garoppolo attracting attention as free agency approached, San Francisco was working behind the scenes with Indianapolis on a trade no one saw coming: in-his-prime defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Colts for the 13th pick in the draft. There was more to the trade than the deal itself, notably tradeoffs that ultimately led the 49ers to part with one of their best young players.

The 49ers decided they would rather have the 13th pick and Arik Armstead under contract for $17 million per year than Buckner under contract for $21 million annually, which would have precipitated Armstead’s departure in free agency.

“You add up the pieces and say, ‘Armstead and the pick, is that better than Buckner and the money you are paying him?'” an exec said. “I would hesitate to pay top of the market to defensive players on the interior because of the wear and tear on the body, with Aaron Donald as a freakish exception.”

This exec still thought the Buckner trade made sense for both teams. The Colts are getting a young, proven, elite player known to possess strong character and leadership at the expense of the 13th pick, which would be used for a higher-risk player and probably would not net one of the top quarterbacks, unless Indy would have been willing (and able) to trade up from there. Donald was the 13th player selected in 2014, but the nine other players drafted in that slot over the past decade included Christian Wilkins, Da’Ron Payne, Haason Reddick, Laremy Tunsil, Andrus Peat, Sheldon Richardson, Michael Floyd, Nick Fairley and Brandon Graham — a mix of uncertainty, in other words.

“The Colts are getting a proven player in Buckner when the 13th pick in the draft might not ever even start for you no matter how good people say the draft is,” an exec said, “while the 49ers already have a player in Armstead who is pretty good, just not quite as good as Buckner. When you look at the combined value, that is where I think it works for San Francisco as well.”

Seattle Seahawks The Seahawks entered free agency with significant salary-cap flexibility despite employing the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback. They did not rush into the market to upgrade their pass-rush — or anything else. They re-signed defensive tackle Jarran Reed and then sat back while another key defender, Jadeveon Clowney, entered the market.

“You don’t see them go into free agency and get big names very often,” an exec said. “They will trade for them, but I go back to the receiver they signed when Pete (Carroll) first got there (Sidney Rice in 2011), and they just don’t do that anymore. Most of their guys are these second-tier signings. Now, they traded for Percy Harvin, they traded for Jimmy Graham. Those are the kinds of bigger deals they do, where they swap salaries out.”

Execs predicted Clowney would most likely re-sign with Seattle in the absence of a great market, especially with teams having a tougher time conducting the medical exams that would be critical for Clowney and other players coming off surgeries. Clowney could try to wait out the COVID-19 pandemic before signing, but that could carry risks as well depending on how much teams still have budgeted then.

“Seattle identified the market and it looks like they nailed it,” an evaluator said. “Can they get Clowney on a one-year deal like the one (Ndamukong) Suh did with the Rams a couple years ago (for $14 million)?”

Tom Brady hasn’t suffered a serious injury since tearing the ACL in his left knee more than 11 years ago.(Mark Tenally/Associated Press) Tampa Bay Buccaneers However it happened, the Buccaneers landed Tom Brady without having to make him one of the 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. It’s a move execs almost universally like for Tampa Bay even though Brady turns 43 in August and is coming off one of his worst statistical seasons.

“People who want to judge Tom based upon the results they got last year are way off-base,” an exec said. “Virtually all of his physical skills are all there. People forget that Peyton Manning was very damaged physically at the end of his career. Injuries are going to be the critical factor that ends a quarterback’s career who is doing well, and that will be true for Brady also.”

The neck injury Manning suffered before signing with Denver was nearly career-ending. Late-career injuries doomed other top quarterbacks. Dan Marino suffered a torn Achilles late in his career, hastening his demise. Steve Young and Troy Aikman had concussion issues. Johnny Unitas’ elbow was a major problem later in his career. Joe Namath’s knees gave out. Brady hasn’t suffered a serious injury since tearing the ACL in his left knee more than 11 years ago. That increases the likelihood of a gradual decline, not a sudden dropoff.

“Anyone who was in Denver when Peyton got there will tell you about the impact a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback has coming to your team,” an exec said. “The impact that has on the psychology just cannot be measured. And even though Manning was totally finished physically at the end, they will tell you in Denver that there was a dropoff after he left. If you look at it, not very many of the players there played up to their Super Bowl level after he was gone.”

The COVID-19 pandemic will prevent Brady from having that sort of impact on team culture in the coming weeks, at least, and perhaps much longer.

“It will be interesting to see how it goes if Brady is used to the coaches being there all the time and now, all of a sudden, it’s different and you have (Bruce) Arians out the door at 7 o’clock or however they do it,” an evaluator said. “There are coaches there like Tom Moore and Clyde Christensen who have worked with Peyton and know what it’s like to be with the maniacal worker and all that entails. Brady is not exactly the same, but those guys could be important.”

Tennessee Titans The Titans accomplished their major goals of the offseason by reaching an agreement with Ryan Tannehill on an extension while retaining running back Derrick Henry on the franchise tag instead of losing him to free agency or going all-in with an over-the-top long-term deal. Time will tell if being married to Tannehill is better than dating him.

“It looks great today, everyone is happy, the fans are excited, but in 2022 are Tannehill and Henry starting for you?” an exec said.

The four-year, $118 million agreement with Tannehill is essentially a two-year commitment in that the Titans could escape comfortable after that.

“What were they going to do at quarterback if they didn’t lock up Tannehill?” another exec asked. “To me, you are stuck with him and it was perfect to go ahead and franchise Derrick Henry, one year for $10 million. You could even franchise him a second time for $12 million and let him go. That is the harsh reality. Getting Henry for two years at $22-23 million is exactly what a top back should get, and I would not go above that, except with Christian McCaffrey.”

The Titans did lose right tackle Jack Conklin to Cleveland after failing to exercise their fifth-year option on him. They traded Jurrell Casey to Denver for a seventh-round pick in a move that seemed like a salary dump. And they added pass rusher Vic Beasley, whom the Falcons seemed determined to divorce, but who had eight sacks last season and fared well in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric.

“Big picture, trading Casey gets Jeffery Simmons on the field, and he is really, really good,” an evaluator said. “The other guy who is really underrated there and who you cannot block on the run is DaQuon Jones, who makes half the money Casey makes. I’m absolutely fine with the Casey move.”

Washington Redskins The Redskins have a new coach in Ron Rivera, but it’s not entirely clear what their new direction is going to be. There has been no push in free agency to arm second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins with weaponry, for instance. With Washington acquiring quarterback Kyle Allen from Carolina for a fifth-round pick, Haskins might not even be best prepared to start for the team in the fall, given that Allen already knows the offense after starting under Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner in Carolina last season.

“I don’t know why they had to give a fifth for Kyle Allen and then you give away a starting corner (Quinton Dunbar) to Seattle for a fifth,” an exec said. “Maybe the corner wanted a new deal, but at some point you should be able to sell guys on your culture and vision, although that is harder this offseason.”

The Redskins still own the rights to Trent Williams, the tackle who held out last season and sharply criticized longtime team president Bruce Allen, who was fired after the season as Rivera took over the organization. That led another exec to ask whether the team’s stance toward Williams had changed in Allen’s absence.

“Maybe the market was greater a year ago,” this exec said.

Cornerback/safety Kendall Fuller, formerly of Kansas City, is the highest-priced free agent Washington has signed so far. Ronald Darby was another addition at cornerback. Thomas Davis, 37, signed for $3.5 million a year in a move that seemed to signal as much as anything what Rivera might be thinking.

“I think they have determined the building was so toxic they just need good guys and a culture and atmosphere, and that may be the case, but it’s not like you look at the NFC East and see a division of world beaters,” an exec said. “That is what happens when you give a coach full control. You are going to get what they see.”

PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 4/2/20

Vikings NFL Draft: Three Middle-Round Defensive Ends With Athletic Upside

By Will Ragatz

Yesterday, I wrote about why the Vikings aren't going to take a defensive end in the first round of the NFL Draft. Go check that out if you haven't read it, but here's the quick summary:

Ifeadi Odenigbo is waiting in the wings as a replacement for Everson Griffen, which is something national experts seem to overlook when they mock AJ Epenesa or Yetur Gross-Matos to the Vikings in the first round. The Vikings have much more pressing needs to address on Day 1, including cornerback, receiver, and offensive line. Above all, it's important to look at Rick Spielman's historical tendencies. He never takes defensive ends in the first round, instead prioritizing raw, athletic players in the middle rounds. Now, it's time to take a look at a few players who could fit the Danielle Hunter mold. These are three defensive ends who are projected to be available in the third or fourth round, and are bursting with potential and upside because of their athleticism. After the Vikings have addressed major needs with their first few picks, these are guys they should be targeting late on Day 2 or early on Day 3. If anyone can turn these players into NFL stars, it's Vikings D-line coach and co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson.

Note: Spider charts are from mockdraftable.com and show historical percentile rankings among all defensive linemen, not just edge rushers

Jabari Zuniga, Florida Screen Shot 2020-04-01 at 2.17.37 PM Zuniga is the definition of a raw, high-upside prospect at defensive end. He posted just 18.5 sacks during four years in Gainesville, with a high of 6.5 as a junior, and had his senior year cut short by a high-ankle sprain. The flashes have been there, but he's never quite put everything together. However, there's no question that he possesses all of the tools to take his game to another level in the NFL, provided he receives the right coaching. At 6-foot-3, 264 pounds, Zuniga ran a 4.64 40-yard dash with a 127-inch broad jump and 29 bench press reps. That's a scary combination of speed, explosiveness, and power. He's got the burst to become a dangerous edge rusher and the strength to move inside in sub packages. If Patterson could help Zuniga improve his counter moves, the sky is the limit.

Alton Robinson, Syracuse Screen Shot 2020-04-01 at 2.19.16 PM Robinson, who I took in the fourth round in my most recent seven-round Vikings mock draft, is another project loaded with potential. He's the same size as Zuniga and offers similar speed, having run a 4.69 at the combine. Where Robinson stood out most in Indianapolis was in the vertical jump, where his 35.5-inch jump was second-best among all defensive linemen. He has outstanding burst out of his stance and can dip and bend around the outside of blockers. Robinson regressed with just five sacks last season after recording ten as a junior, but hee has all of the physical gifts and measurables needed to succeed. Like all three of these players, Robinson is a ball of clay that needs to be molded into a consistent pass-rusher.

Alex Highsmith, Charlotte Screen Shot 2020-04-01 at 2.18.34 PM Highsmith is yet another defensive end with 4.7 speed and all kinds of explosiveness and agility. He dominated Conference USA competition last year with 15 sacks, but it was a long journey to get to that point. Highsmith wasn't even ranked as a recruit coming out of high school, and began his career at Charlotte as a walk-on. That work ethic and determination shows itself in the nonstop, Jared Allen-like motor that he plays with on every down. Now, the question becomes whether or not he can translate his production to the NFL level. Highsmith has elite burst and acceleration and might have the best hands of the three players listed here, but he could benefit from getting stronger and continuing to develop as a pass rusher.

Honorable mention: Jonathan Garvin, Miami; DJ Wonnum, South Carolina; Derrek Tuszka, North Dakota State, Oluwole Betiku Jr., Illinois PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 4/2/20

Dalvin Cook, Danielle Hunter Donating Madden Checks to Local Hospital

By Will Ragatz

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Vikings Pro Bowlers Dalvin Cook and Danielle Hunter have pledged to donate their Madden checks to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale for much-needed personal protective equipment.

Players get a check from the NFL Players Association for their inclusion in the Madden video game each year. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapaport and KSTP's Darren Wolfson, the value of Cook and Hunter's donations is roughly $17,000 each.

Cook tweeted the gesture on Wednesday evening, and encouraged others to donate to North Memorial as well.

"I want to say THANK YOU to those who continue to put their lives on the line each day & fight COVID-19," Cook tweeted. "To MN's @northmemorial hospital, I’m donating my @EAMadden check from the @nflpa to be used for vital PPE gear. Let's make a difference together."

Dalvin Cook ✔ @dalvincook I want to say THANK YOU to those who continue to put their lives on the line each day & fight COVID-19. To MN's @northmemorial hospital, I’m donating my @EAMadden check from the @nflpa to be used for vital PPE gear. Let's make a difference together https://northmemorial.com/donate/

Donate to the North Memorial Health Foundation Make a donation to the North Memorial Health Foundation and make a difference today. northmemorial.com 4,592 4:55 PM - Apr 1, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 681 people are talking about this Hunter joined in afterwards.

"Following your lead @dalvincook. Count me in for my @EAMaddenNFL @NFLPA check to @northmemorial."

D Hunt™ ✔ @DHunt94_TX Following your lead @dalvincook. Count me in for my @EAMaddenNFL @NFLPA check to @northmemorial. https://twitter.com/dalvincook/status/1245469754757992449 …

Dalvin Cook ✔ @dalvincook I want to say THANK YOU to those who continue to put their lives on the line each day & fight COVID-19. To MN's @northmemorial hospital, I’m donating my @EAMadden check from the @nflpa to be used for vital PPE gear. Let's make a difference together https://northmemorial.com/donate/

2,293 5:05 PM - Apr 1, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 261 people are talking about this One of the main consequences of the rapid spread of COVID-19 is that hospitals everywhere need more PPE (masks, gloves, etc.) than they have available. Cook and Hunter's donations will help that problem.

This is the latest in a string of charitable efforts from Vikings players and ownership during this worldwide pandemic.

Last week, Kyle Rudolph, Adam Thielen, and Anthony Barr announced initiatives to give back to Minnesota communities. Rudolph and Thielen each donated roughly $25,000 to Second Harvest Heartland, proving thousands of meals to those in need during this difficult time. Barr's Raise the Barr Foundation is giving monetary grants to any former scholarship recipients of the foundation.

Prior to that, the Vikings organization and the Wilf Family Foundation announced that they were donating a total of $500,000 to local organizations, with substantial amounts going to the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities and the Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund for Coronavirus. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 4/2/20

Lunchbreak: Kendricks Helping COVID-19 Relief with Original Paintings

By Eric Smith

Eric Kendricks is offering a personal touch to raise funds to help those in need from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Vikings linebacker recently announced that he will create paintings and sell them on Instagram, with the proceeds going to food banks in the city of the person who bought the painting.

Kendricks is listing each painting at $1,000, and said he will then match that price, meaning a total of $2,000 will go to a food bank.

"I know the price is high, but this is really to try to help people give back to others who need help in their cities," Kendricks wrote on Instagram. "I'm gonna find ways to give away more paintings in the future 🙏🏽 Let's help each other, give back, stay home, and wash our damn hands! All love!"

The All-Pro linebacker unveiled his first painting Tuesday afternoon and noted the work of art was created by using only gift cards.

Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills purchased the multi-colored design, with Kendricks announcing on Instagram that the donation will go to The Sheridan Story, a Minneapolis-based organization that aims to quell childhood hunger.

Kendricks has worked with the organization in the past, including helping raise $20,000 in May of 2017 so that youth have food to eat on weekends when home from school.

Kendricks said he plans to release more paintings throughout the week, although the total number is unknown.

The 28-year-old was a second-round pick of the Vikings back in 2015, and has led the team in tackles in each of his first five seasons in Minnesota. He earned All-Pro honors in 2019, and also played in the Pro Bowl.

Fans have chance to relive great moments in Vikings history

Vikings fans can now relive some iconic moments and games in franchise history on Vikings.com and YouTube.

Full games are now available to view on both the team's website and YouTube, including the 1998 game on Thanksgiving in which Randy Moss and the Vikings offense lit up the Cowboys.

The Hall of Fame wide receiver had just three catches on the day, but each one went for a touchdown as he racked up 163 receiving yards. All three scores went for 50-plus yards.

Fans can also re-watch Minnesota's Divisional Round playoff win over New Orleans in January of 2018 on YouTube.

While there were plenty of big moments throughout regulation, the game is known for Minnesota winning on a walk- off, 61-yard touchdown catch that was dubbed the "Minneapolis Miracle."

The Vikings YouTube home page can be found here, while full games can be found here.

There is also a section dedicated to throwback moments, which can be found here. It includes highlights from Jared Allen's 22-sack season in 2011, along with Brett Favre's first game against the Packers as the Vikings quarterback in 2009.

PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 4/2/20

Minnesota Vikings Foundation Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic

By Lindsey Young

EAGAN, Minn. – The Minnesota Vikings Foundation is responding in a very tangible way to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on youth in the Twin Cities.

The Vikings Table food truck, a program of the Minnesota Vikings Foundation, was created with the goal of serving healthy meals to young people across the community, and that program is even more essential during a time when Minnesota schools are closed due to concerns around the spread of coronavirus.

Vikings Table, which is presented by Xcel Energy, already had planned to start its food distributions for the spring and summer on April 1. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, however, Vikings Table reevaluated its traditional service model to adjust to guidelines from the CDC, Governor Tim Walz's Executive Order and the Minnesota Department of Health while still working to provide meals to at-risk youth.

On Monday, Vikings Table kicked off its goal to provide 100 individually packaged meals every weekday for the next two weeks and will remain focused on continued support throughout the crisis. vikings-table-portrait The Minnesota Vikings Foundation is again partnering with The Open Door, which will distribute the meals to neighborhoods that have limited transportation and/or don't qualify for the free meals being served at schools.

Vikings Foundation Programs Coordinator Monterae Carter explained the benefit of working with The Open Door.

"The Open Door has been our partner since we launched the Vikings Table food truck program, and they also were a nonprofit group that we consulted when we were deciding what the program would look like," Carter said. "They've been highly invested with us from the very beginning, and we typically serve meals alongside them as they're offering other services that include large-scale produce distributions in a neighborhood that's about eight minutes from our facility.

"We wanted to partner with them because they quickly adapted their programming to meet the guidance of the Governor, Department of Health and the CDC," Carter said. "The safety of our staff, partners and community is our highest priority." table-2-2560

Vikings Table has revamped its menu items due to the pandemic.

While the food truck typically has served a hot meal with a side of fruit salad, the program has transitioned to a sandwich model that will help ensure smoother packing and transportation of the food.

Carter emphasized the utmost precautions being taken at the meal-packing facility. No more than 10 employees are at the facility at any one time, and Vikings Table is very cognizant of the delivery method in order to limit person-to- person contact as much as possible.

In addition to the meals, each bag provided by Xcel Energy will include a Vikings-themed activity or coloring page and a package of crayons. The activity pages also are available to the general public for download. The bags also will include a letter from Vikings Table that encourages young people during this time and offers reminders about the importance of nutritious food.

"The Minnesota Vikings Foundation was created to make a direct impact in our community by focusing on youth with their health and their education – so we felt a strong connection to the community at this time, and we thought we would do everything that we could to help," Carter said. "So with the support of our board, we decided to start developing different plans to execute.

"We've been super proud and enthused by our partner involvement, as well," Carter added. "It's just kind of what we are. The Minnesota Vikings Foundation is for the kids, and we wanted to keep showing up for them and making sure they still knew that we cared about them even though we couldn't physically be there." PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 4/2/20

Vikings Salute Retiring Director of Security

By Lindsey Young

When Anthony Barr batted down Aaron Rodgers' final pass of the 2015 regular season's final game, hands and helmets along the Vikings sideline went up in elation.

Like the orange Gatorade that surprised Head Coach Mike Zimmer, Minnesota's excitement for the NFC North title drenched the Vikings bench.

One individual, however, stood stoically among the celebration.

"You've never seen me cheer on the sidelines … because I'm working and I've got a job to do," Vikings Director of Security Kim Klawiter said in a recent interview before his March 31 retirement.

"I'm jumping up and down inside," he assured. "I'm thrilled to death with every victory, and I hate every defeat. But I think if you watch me on the sideline, you wouldn't know if we had won or lost the game."

Klawiter-1-2560 Anyone who has worked with Klawiter over the years understands this side of him.

"When you meet Kim and get to know him, you see that he likes to have fun, joke around and interact with people socially," Vikings Vice President of Operations and Facilities Chad Lundeen said. "At the same time, when it comes to performing his job, there are no gray areas – the rules are the rules, and Kim lives by them and enforces them.

"The strong integrity Kim demonstrates allows him to effectively perform his job duties," Lundeen added.

Discipline is something that comes naturally for Klawiter, who spent 18 years in the U.S. Army. He served as a platoon sergeant during the Vietnam War, during which his heroic actions earned him the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Following his time in the military, Klawiter spent 25 years in law enforcement for the Minnesota State Patrol and retired as a lieutenant.

"That kind of discipline made it an easy move for me because I can separate [being a fan from being on the job] very easily," he explained.

Klawiter grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and regularly watched the Vikings play on Sunday afternoons.

So when an opportunity to work games at the Metrodome opened up, the prospect appealed to him.

Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the NFL heightened security across the league. Rather than just the Minneapolis Police and Fire Departments at the stadium, the NFL wanted representatives from the Sheriff's Department, State Patrol and FBI at a security command post for every game.

Klawiter worked at the command post for home games from 2001-05, adding special events security to his responsibilities for the team in 2002, and in 2006 he retired from the State Patrol and assumed the full-time Director of Security role.

"I literally left my job at 8:00 in the morning on a Monday and started working for the Vikings at 9:00 the same day," he laughed.

Klawiter2-portrait On the scenes – and behind them

Klawiter has worked tirelessly at his job ever since, making it his priority to keep safe everyone within the Vikings organization.

There are the heavy undertakings that most would think of as part of Klawiter's detail: planning and arranging security for home and road games throughout the season, overseeing security at Vikings Training Camp – first in Mankato and then at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center – and ensuring the team facility is secure.

The Vikings trips to London in 2013 and 2017, Klawiter said, involved the most work from a logistics and planning standpoint.

Former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway was a rookie during Klawiter's first full-time season, and the two spent 11 seasons together before Greenway retired in spring 2017.

He recalled one year when Klawiter had to handle a situation during a game, when someone without proper credentials crossed onto the Vikings sideline. According to Greenway, the situation escalated to a degree, and Klawiter had to physically apprehend the individual without creating an overly dramatic scene.

"Kim's a complete bad-ass," Greenway said. "And you felt super safe because he controlled the sideline and [ensured] nobody was overreaching where they were supposed to be."

Former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, whom Minnesota drafted in 2007, also gained a deep respect for Klawiter during their time together.

Peterson said Klawiter's impact and leadership was "unmatched" during his time with the organization.

"He was a consistent professional, and he didn't take any crap from anybody. He just went about his business," Peterson said. "You would have thought he was protecting and watching over the President. He was dead-serious.

"He was always serious, no matter if there was family around, people he knew, he always put his job above everything," Peterson added. "He was always able to maintain that strictness and that firmness but still was genuine and kind to people once he got to know them."

Klawiter-3-2560 While much of Klawiter's job has been public-facing, he always paid attention to behind-the-scenes responsibilities.

Lundeen pointed out Klawiter's work on background checks of potential employees, and others noted Klawiter's commitment at the team hotel before home and away games.

"Security is on our floor of the hotel every night," Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph said. "Someone's constantly there, and you always knew you could see Kim there at the hotel when he very easily could have passed those duties on to other employees under him. He didn't have to show up at the hotel every Saturday before a home game, but he would be there."

Zimmer, who took the helm in Minnesota in 2014, said Klawiter has done a "remarkable job" in their six seasons together.

"The way he goes about his business is extremely professional. He always cares about the players and the coaches and trying to help them in any way he can," Zimmer said. "He's there at any moment, for anyone. Like he's said many times, his phone is on 24/7 except for the time he's in church on Sunday. All the players have really respected him. He's been by my side for every game.

"He goes out of his way to help the team, my family and everybody else," Zimmer added.

Klawiter-4-2560 Family matters

Talk to most players who have spent time with Klawiter, and they will highlight the care and consideration he showed to their families.

Greenway, Peterson and Rudolph shared similar sentiments about the experiences of their wives and young children when attending training camp practices or Saturday morning walk-throughs during the season.

"Whether it was when they were coming to the facility on Saturday mornings – helping them get in, helping them get to the indoor facility, helping Jordan with all the kids, Kim was always kind of the line of communication between myself and Jordan when I couldn't be there to communicate," Rudolph said. "Whether it was at work, during a game, whatever it was, Jordan always knew that she could reach out to Kim, and Kim would be able to provide answers."

He mentioned instances where he suffered an injury during a game, such as a broken foot in Dallas in 2013, and Jordan was able to reach out to Kim for an update.

At the beginning of every season, Klawiter spoke to the players' significant others every season and made sure they were able to get in contact with him for anything security- or injury-related.

"I'll go in the locker room and see, 'Did somebody just tweak their knee, is it an ACL, a concussion?' I end up talking to one or two players' families almost every game," Klawiter explained.

Klawiter-7-2560 Vikings tackle Aviante Collins recounted the 2017 NFC Championship game in Philadelphia when Vikings fans, including his wife, faced a rowdy and aggressive crowd.

Collins emphasized the "extra mile" that Klawiter went to ensure the wellbeing of players' family members after the tough loss.

"My wife along with some [other players' family members] were stuck in the middle of this crazy crowd just trying to get out and get to the hotel," Collins said. "Kim personally made sure that they were walked all the way to the exit and into a car by a trusted member of his staff."

For Klawiter, it's always been important to him to extend care in whatever way possible.

"I just think that not only am I trying to do the right thing for the families, but I think the players see that and appreciate that, also," Klawiter added. "I think when they see how close I am to their [families], they do appreciate that, and it makes the rest of my job easier."

Lundeen admires the relationships that Klawiter has developed with players and their families over 14 full-time seasons with the Vikings.

"That's an important aspect of his job, having the players trust him. The guys know he is not here to get them out of trouble but that he has their best interests at heart," Lundeen explained. "Kim is focused on providing the leadership to help the players make good decisions and keep them safe in their homes, at work and as we travel."

Lundeen also pointed out that Klawiter hasn't established connections only with Vikings personnel but also with various fans that he's come to know throughout his tenure with the team.

Particularly when training camp was hosted at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Klawiter formed friendships with longtime fans who visited year after year.

One family in particular had a son who received a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis at a very young age and wasn't given a long life expectancy. Every summer, that family drove up from Illinois and stayed in Mankato for a week or two in order to attend daily training camp practices.

It was there that Klawiter bonded with the family and the son, who at that point had already defied the odds.

"I just got to know the family, and we would get them passes so they could come out onto the field. I think the son lived to be [middle-aged], and he wasn't supposed to live to even be a teenager," Klawiter reflected. "For them to come back every year [was special]. A lot of the players knew him. … Adrian, Kyle, Everson [Griffen]. He was always there, and he never asked for anything. They were just a good family, and if they got some autographs it was cool, but that's not why they came. They came just because they were big fans."

Since that time, the son – as well as his father – have passed away, and Klawiter has quietly made the trip to Illinois to attend their funerals.

"I would like to think I was a good representative of the team that way," he said. "And there have been others. There's probably six or eight families that I've gotten close to over the years who are just big Vikings fans and always come to training camp.

So much more than security

The impact Klawiter made on the Vikings organization has been far-reaching.

Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said that if one looked up "integrity," "honor" and "service" in the dictionary, they each should have a picture of Klawiter beside them.

"Those words would describe Kim the best," Spielman said. "It's who he is as a person. He's always putting people first – that's what makes him so unique.

"He's always going to do something that will provide a service to people before himself," Spielman added. "The unselfishness that he shows throughout his time here was demonstrated daily."

Klawiter-6-2560 When the Vikings signed Collins as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Klawiter was among the people he met during a meeting that introduced players to executives and other personnel. Klawiter handed out his business card to the team that day, and Collins has kept the card in his wallet ever since.

"The connection I have with Kim is unlike any other. He isn't just a friend; he's become like another father figure," Collins said. "To me, a father figure is someone who instills genuine character and teaches you life lessons through your own experiences – and that's exactly what Kim has been to me."

Greenway emphasized that Klawiter always was "so much more than running security" to him and his family.

"It became just like having a relationship with a teammate – with Brian Robison for 10 years or Adrian for 10 years – Kim and I had that very same relationship for 11 years," Greenway said. "I trust Kim with everything in my life. He's just a phenomenal guy."

Farewell to a friend

After 14 seasons as the Vikings Directory of Security, Klawiter is stepping away from the job he loves.

It's a position that he never will take for granted, calling it an honor to have held the role for the time he did.

"When I was a lieutenant with the State Patrol, there were about 50 other lieutenants; and in law enforcement in Minnesota, there are probably 300-400 people that did the same kind of job I did with the State Patrol," Klawiter said. "[In this role], there are only 31 other people in the world that have my job. I'm very blessed, and I'm honored that I was one of them.

"And I don't take that lightly – which is why I conduct myself the way I do, especially on the sidelines," he added. "I think that's really special."

Likewise, he didn't take lightly the decision to retire. But if you ask him, he'll tell you that it's just time.

He will be missed.

Zimmer will miss the postgame walks to the locker room, during which Klawiter would quietly but genuinely offer his support.

"He is very stoic and serious about his job," Zimmer said. "But if we're walking off the field or walking somewhere together, he'll say a comment like, 'I'm so happy that you won this game' and things like that. That's always meant a lot to me."

Collins said that Klawiter is leaving behind "giant shoes" to fill, adding that he has been an inspiration and role model.

"He always showed us how to act with class and character, things that are sometimes hard to come by," Collins said. "He definitely earned this retirement, and even though I'm going to miss him a lot, it would be selfish of me to keep him and his wife from enjoying their well-earned time. My wife and I will forever be grateful for Kim and the time and love he has given! We love you, Kim."

Peterson also offered a long-distance message for his friend:

"I just really appreciate the time that he invested to be there for us," Peterson said. "Me and my family, we have everlasting memories of him. He's a person that we'll never forget. … We are truly appreciative for everything he has done not only for my family but the entire Vikings organization."

Added Peterson as the phone interview came to an end: "Make sure to tell Kim I love him."

Klawiter may not be on the sidelines for upcoming games, but you can bet he'll be closely following the team he's always loved. He also will have more time to spend with his family, which is his pride and joy.

Klawiter-5-2560 From one retiree to another, Greenway shared some advice for Klawiter.

"I know Kim's very passionate about his family, and I'm sure he's going to dive in with them on a bigger level," Greenway said. "The best part about being retired, especially in Kim's profession, having gone through multiple careers now and retired multiple times, is to sit back and enjoy yourself, and really look back and appreciate what you've created and the relationships you've developed.

"I think it's important to reflect," Greenway added. "I hope Kim takes the time to do that, to really understand how many people he's done such amazing things for."