Case Keenum listed as eighth best free-agent by NFL.com

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after throwing a touchdown during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after throwing a touchdown during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 12, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Case Keenum had an excellent 2017 NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings that is making him one of the hottest free agents heading into the 2018 NFL season.

The 2017 NFL season was a great one for Case Keenum. After struggling to find a fit with the Houston Texans and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams in the past, he finally settled in with the Minnesota Vikings and put together an impressive series of games.

Oddly enough, these performances came when Keenum accepted a role as a backup quarterback behind veteran passer Sam Bradford. His number got called in Week 2 when a knee injury sidelined Bradford and Keenum got the nod.

After that, the team stuck with the hot hand and Keenum was able to lead the team to the second-best record in the NFL and all the way to the NFC Championship Game while completing 67.6% of his passes and throwing 22 touchdowns with only 7 interceptions.

Keenum had only signed a one year contract with the Vikings before the 2017 season and could be looking to cash in on a bigger deal in free agency to capitalize on his great performance.

Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings /

Minnesota Vikings

Recently, Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling from NFL.com put together a list of their top 101 free agents around the league and Case Keenum was listed as the eighth best player available heading into the 2018 NFL season.

Here is what they had to say about Keenum and how big his 2017 season was for his chances in free agency:

"“Last year, Keenum settled for a $2 million contract in free agency and didn’t even crack our Top 101. This time, he has the opportunity to earn life-changing money few journeymen ever see. He’s a solid bet to start somewhere in Week 1.”"

Keenum found himself in some great company. The only players ahead of him on the list are Kirk Cousins, Drew Brees, Allen Robinson, Sheldon Richardson, Sammy Watkins, Andrew Norwell, and Kyle Fuller (who was transition tagged by the Chicago Bears).

Next: Realistic free-agent options for the Vikings' defense in 2018

Case Keenum is bound to find an opportunity to be a starting quarterback somewhere in the NFL during the 2018 NFL season even if it doesn’t happen to be in a Minnesota Vikings uniform surrounded by familiar faces.