Vikings 2015 Free Agents: Who Should Be Extended This Year?

With approximately $9 million left for the Vikings on their salary cap according to Spotrac.com, general manager Rick Spielman may look to extend some of the Minnesota Vikings 2015 free agents. The Vikings don’t have to spend their cap money this year. If they don’t spend it, it rolls over to next year, but if Spielman does decide to extend a couple players, he has some options.

Here is a list of the Minnesota Vikings 2015 free agents:

Sep 8, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Allen Reisner – tight end

Brandon Fusco – guard

Chase Baker -defensive tackle

Chase Ford – tight end

Christian Ponder – quarterback

Corey Wootton – defensive end/defensive tackle

Cullen Loeffler – long snapper

Derek Cox – cornerback

Fred Evans – defensive tackle

Jamarca Sanford – safety

Jasper Brinkley– linebacker

Jerome Simpson – wide receiver

Joe Banyard – running back

Joe Berger – guard/center

Josh Samuda – guard (IR)

Justin Trattou – defensive end

Kurt Coleman – safety

Kyle Rudolph – tight end

Lestar Jean – wide receiver

Matt Asiata – running back

Mike Remmers – offensive tackle

Mistral Raymond – safety

Tom Johnson – defensive end

Vlad Ducasse – guard

That’s right. The Minnesota Vikings 2015 free agent class is 24 players deep. While some of them are training camp guys, others are starters and backups that have made the 53 man roster in the past.

Here is a list of 3 players that the team should consider giving an extension prior to becoming a free agent after this upcoming season:

Kyle Rudolph – Locking up Rudolph right now would be a great idea for this team. Tight ends seem to have a lot of success in Norv Turner ran offenses, so they might be able to get a discount on him if they do it before this season. If Rudolph hits free agency, expect him to be a part of a bidding war where the Vikings are likely not to come out the victors.
Brandon Fusco – Despite how some feel that he’s not a complete guard, he is better than people think. He is excellent in run blocking, but is only slightly above average in pass blocking. However, he is a starting caliber guard who should be kept because of his powerful run blocking and his mean streak. Fusco would most likely not return if he hits free agency.
Cullen Loeffler – Good long snappers are hard to find. Seriously. If you have watched Oakland Raiders games over the past couple years, you’ve seen what can happen when you let centers try their best. Although he’s a specialist, he is a valuable one that could be locked up very inexpensively. At 33 years old, I don’t see him extended longer than 2-3 years though.

What do you think? Is there a player who you think should be extended from that list? Are there players that you think Minnesota should just let walk? Let me know in the comments!

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