Minnesota Vikings 2021 impending free agents primer

Free agent acquisitions often dominate the NFL offseason headlines but retaining home-grown free agents can be a great way to improve as a team. It may not be as sexy of a strategy, but it has been the playbook for general manager Rick Spielman and co. The Minnesota Vikings brass chose to lock up Dalvin Cook to a long-term deal last offseason and Anthony Barr the year before, showing that they trust their in-house talent to produce and help the team win.

Minnesota will have to choose which impending free agents it wishes to return. Eric Wilson and Anthony Harris should command the most money, so it will be interesting to see how much, if at all, the Vikings prioritize those two. Of course, there are many more decisions to be made beyond Wilson and Harris, and with a lowered salary cap in 2021, it figures to be a stressful couple of weeks for Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer.

FOX Sports North takes a look at the 14 players set to hit free agency. (Note: free-agent and salary information via OverTheCap.com; statistics courtesy pro-football-reference.com).

RB Ameer Abdullah, unrestricted

2020 stats: 16 games, 352 kickoff return yards; 8 rushes, 42 yards; 8 receptions, 58 yards, 2 touchdowns

2020 cap number: $887,500

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Abdullah is a safe option for kickoff returns and is a worthy weapon in screen passes. For likely a cheap price, the Nebraska product’s elusiveness and athleticism could help Minnesota again.

Why they wouldn’t: Abdullah is a fairly one-dimensional running back and has not contributed much in the traditional running game. If the Vikings need to trim RB depth when shedding salary, Abdullah could be a cap casualty. Plus, he doesn’t pack an explosive punch in the return game. Since 2017, Abdullah doesn’t have a single kickoff return of over 38 yards.

WE Chad Beebe, restricted

2020 stats: 14 games, 20 receptions, 201 yards, 2 touchdowns

2020 cap number: $750,000

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Beebe had a career year after playing just six games in his first two seasons in the NFL. He emerged as the Vikings’ third WR by the end of the season and should provide good depth once again.

Why they wouldn’t: Beebe did have his most production, but in the end it was still 200 yards. He is not the best option on special teams either.

RB Mike Boone, restricted

2020 stats: 16 games, 11 rushes, 59 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 receptions, 10 receiving yards

2020 cap number: $752,500

Why the Vikings would re-sign him:  Boone was not as productive as he was in 2019 but also got less chances since Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison’s absences did not overlap in 2020. He is a capable backup running back and shouldn’t be too costly next season.

Why they wouldn’t: Backup running backs can easily be found in the draft and Boone got very few opportunities in 2020 anyway.

LB Todd Davis, unrestricted

2020 stats: 11 games, 35 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFLs, 2 passes defensed

2020 cap number: $661,765 (prorated from $910,000)

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Davis started six games in 2020 in relief of Eric Kendricks and Eric Wilson. He filled in decently well in 2020 and he’s entering his age-29 season so it appears he has more time left in the league.

Why they wouldn’t: He’s a backup linebacker nearing 30. A good player for depth, sure, but far from irreplaceable.

OG Dakota Dozier, unrestricted

2020 stats: 16 starts; 9 penalties, 3.5 sacks allowed

2020 cap number: $840,000

Why the Vikings would re-sign him:  An NFL team can never have enough depth on the offensive line. As a starter, Dozier wasn’t excellent at guard but key depth pieces are always important.

Why they wouldn’t: Dozier had some rough stretches last season and did not always look like a starter. If they view him as a starter and not a backup, then he may be gone.

S Anthony Harris, unrestricted

2020 stats: 16 starts, 104 total tackles, 7 passes defensed, 2 TFLs

2020 cap number: $11,441,000

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Even though Harris did not have six interceptions like he did in 2019, he is still a good safety and at age 29 he should be able to contribute in the future. 

Why they wouldn’t: Harris and was not quite as productive or effective as he was in 2019 and after playing on the franchise tag last season, it seems like this is a logical time for the Vikings to move on.

OT Rashod Hill, unrestricted

2020 stats: 16 games, 1 start; 1 penalty, 1 sack allowed

2020 cap number: $887,500

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Hill is another depth option and since he’s played for Minnesota since 2016, the Vikings brass must be a fan of his.

Why they wouldn’t: He’s a backup tackle and with the lower salary cap he may not be a priority for Minnesota.

S George Iloka, unrestricted

2020 stats: 4 games, 6 tackles, 1 TFL

2020 cap number: $379,411 (prorated from $910,000)

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Iloka had five tackles in the Vikings win over the Houston Texans, proving he can fill in as a backup safety.

Why they wouldn’t: Iloka played in just four games and only had any sort of impact against Houston. Minnesota barely played him last year and he’ll be 31 next year. Seems unlikely he returns.

DT Jaleel Johnson, unrestricted

2020 stats: 16 starts, 1.5 sacks, 44 total tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 QB hits

2020 cap number: $994,590

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: A year after recording 29 tackles, Johnson upped his total to 44 in 2020. It was also his first season starting all 16 games.

Why they wouldn’t: One of the reasons Johnson started is because Michael Pierce opted out. Pierce should be back for 2021, making it easy for the Vikings to replace Johnson.

OL Brett Jones, unrestricted

2020 stats: 15 games, 2 starts; 1 sack allowed

2020 cap number: $308,824 (prorated from $910,000)

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Jones is a smart, versatile lineman and a locker room favorite. He can play in the interior of the line and he won’t cost much.

Why they wouldn’t: He’s a 29-year-old backup offensive lineman and with the salary shedding around the league, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was a victim of that.

QB Sean Mannion, unrestricted

2020 stats: Did not play

2020 cap number: $887,500

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Mannion is a cheap backup and knows the system. He can man the ship in a pinch if Kirk Cousins goes down for a game.

Why they wouldn’t: Mannion is a fine backup, but Vikings fans can’t be confident if the team has to start him for a significant chunk of the season. Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston were backups last year, so Minnesota can probably do better than Mannion.

LB Hardy Nickerson, unrestricted

2020 stats: 14 games, 1 start, 14 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 pass defensed, 1 interception

2020 cap number: $194,118 (prorated from $825,000)

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Nickerson is a worthy special teams contributor and forced some turnovers at the end of the season. He’s also only 27 and wouldn’t command an expensive deal.

Why they wouldn’t: He’s a backup linebacker and Minnesota could probably find a cheaper replacement in the draft.

DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, restricted

2020 stats: 15 games, 35 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 15 QB hits, 1 safety

2020 cap number: $812,500

Why the Vikings would re-sign him:  Odenigbo started all 15 games he was healthy for in 2020, so Mike Zimmer and co. clearly trust him to be out there. His contract is team-friendly and after seven sacks in 2019, he makes sense to return to Minnesota as an RFA.

Why they wouldn’t: If one thing was lacking from the Vikings defense in 2020, it was the pass rush. The fact that Yannick Ngakoue led Minnesota in sacks (5.0) despite playing a mere six games with the team doesn’t bode well for Odenigbo’s negotiations.

LB Eric Wilson, unrestricted

2020 stats: 16 games, 15 starts, 122 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 sacks, 8 TFLs, 9 QB hits, 1 forced fumble

2020 cap number: $3,259,000

Why the Vikings would re-sign him: Wilson was a welcomed surprised for the Vikings. He was incredibly productive in his fourth season with the team and showed off his versatility by effectively rushing the passer and playing coverage.

Why they wouldn’t: Wilson could cost a pretty penny. He played well and his services will be desired by more than just Minnesota.