4 veterans the Vikings should target in third wave of free agency
By Dean Jones
Which veteran players should the Minnesota Vikings go after during the third wave of 2021 free agency?
Considering the salary-cap hell that was waiting for the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, they have done an incredible job of boosting their roster with some notable signings.
It’s taken a significant amount of sacrifice, of that there is little doubt. But few would argue that the Vikings roster doesn’t look better now than it did at the conclusion of the 2020 season.
Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman has always been a miracle worker when it comes to the cap. An eight percent decrease in available resources thanks to COVID-19 revenue losses hasn’t stopped the Vikings from being aggressive by any means necessary, something the front office deserves an endless amount of credit for.
Whether this will be enough to make a postseason return is up for debate. Minnesota has recruited the right personnel in key problem areas, and with the NFL Draft still to come, it would be a huge surprise if we didn’t see some substantial improvements on the field.
There isn’t much money left, but who are some of the possible veteran targets for the Vikings ahead of the third wave of free agency in the coming days.
Free Agent No. 1
Chris Reed – OG
2020 Team: Carolina Panthers
Although Chris Reed’s pass protection was somewhat suspect for the Carolina Panthers in 2020, the interior lineman was a real asset creating lanes for running backs. This is something the Vikings can put to good use with one of the best in the business getting carries out of the backfield in Davin Cook.
Reed is likely to sign somewhere for the vet minimum, which will also work in the Vikings’ favor. This is a deep class of incoming college recruits from a protection standpoint that Minnesota needs to take advantage of. But getting a solid if not spectacular veteran presence such as Reed would provide the team with some additional depth that simply wasn’t there last time out.
This signing could also allow any draft prospects to develop at their own pace before stepping into a starting role. But much will depend on whether Reed can improve his pass blocking at this stage of his career.