PurplePTSD: PFF's Underrated Free Agents Can Help Minnesota's Reload

Press release from the PurplePTSD:

K. Joudry

2022-02-03

Over the next month and a half, the Vikings will be looking to get their finances in order so they can make a run at several free agents. It’s entirely possible that the team decides not to pursue this year’s biggest names, and yet we know for certain that some external talent will be brought in. As a result, PFF‘s recent piece covering this year’s most underrated free agents is interesting. Several could help Minnesota’s reload.

The name that will jump out to most Vikings fans is probably Connor Williams. The current-Cowboy is somewhat overlooked in Dallas: “Williams has been the weak link on that unit for much of his NFL career, but that’s relative to players who are among the NFL’s best. Williams has developed into a solid starter at guard with back-to-back seasons of 70.0-plus PFF grades, and that represents a major upgrade to many teams struggling through disastrous offensive line play.”

If I’m not mistaken, Williams plays LG, so that presents one hurdle for Minnesota to consider. Ezra Cleveland showed promise during his sophomore season along the interior. Given his background playing LT for Boise State, Cleveland should like remain at LG. Could Williams be kicked over to RG? If not, the move may not be worth it.

The undersized – and likely overlooked – D.J. Reed Jr. is an intriguing corner. He finished the year with a healthy 78.6 PFF score. He had 606 snaps in coverage and 396 in run defense, finishing with a 75.4 coverage grade and elite 85.8 run grade. Here is what PFF says about the 5’9 corner: “Reed allowed a passer rating of 66.0 from the 68 targets thrown into his coverage, with only 51.5% of those throws caught by their intended target. Reed shouldn’t be anybody’s top corner, but he has shown he has a role as a No. 2 or a player with versatility within the secondary.” Even if they bring Patrick Peterson back and hope for a Cameron Dantzler progression, Minnesota will need to add a vet or two to the defensive backs room.

Emmanuel Ogbah shows up on the list, and I’ve previously written about his potential fit as part of Minnesota’s reload. If the team loses Tyler Conklin and isn’t sure about Irv Smith’s recovery, then perhaps David Njoku will be of interest. He was a former first-round pick and he ran a 4.6 forty. Arden Key is another name to keep in mind at edge rusher.

The bidding wars likely aren’t in Minnesota’s future, so they’ll need to pull off the reload without bringing in the offseason’s preeminent free agents. Nevertheless, there are always impact players who sign for cheap during the offseason. It’s up to the Vikings’ leadership to identify who these players are.

This press release was produced by the PurplePTSD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.