Minnesota has let a lot of talent walk in free agency this offseason, and some of the teams the former Vikings players ended up are interesting fits to say the least.
Linval Joseph on the Chargers? Xavier Rhodes with a prove-contract on the Colts? Those two and more will be enticing to watch as the 2020 NFL season progresses.
Are you a fan of a former player still and want him to succeed? Or will you relish in schadenfreude if the Vikings let a player walk who ends up declining. Either way, it’s going to be strange to see certain Vikings players in different jerseys next season.
Bengals CB Trae Waynes
I think this is a great fit for Waynes. He can come in and start right away on a team that has the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 Draft.
A frustration will be that the Bengals are a year or two away from contending again, unless the team drafts a quarterback who absolutely takes the league by storm (which they might).
However, some of the money Waynes reportedly received will probably ease the burden of losing. He signed with Cincinnati for three years and $42 million, sources tell NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
I think it’s a good fit for Waynes, but the Bengals overpaid for a cornerback that is only serviceable. They had the cap space, but would have the money been better spent on more offensive linemen to protect the quarterback, especially if the team ends up drafting Joe Burrow? Good for Waynes, but not great for the Bengals.
Grade: B-
Bengals CB Mackensie Alexander
I was hoping the Vikings would re-sign Alexander this offseason, but instead he went to the Bengals where he has a chance to start.
Cincinnati only gave him a one-year, $4 million deal, but Alexander has a chance to step into a bigger role on a team that probably won’t be as successful as Minnesota next season. Good for the Bengals, and pretty good for Alexander.
Grade: B+
Chargers DT Linval Joseph
I think Joseph could have fun on an underrated Chargers defense, but he might have to be on the field a lot more than usual, on account of the lackluster offense.
Los Angeles could very well draft a quarterback, who ends up being decent, but the offensive line hasn’t been great, and on paper the rest of the pieces aren’t stellar.
Maybe if Melvin Gordon can return to his past self, and a rookie comes in and leads the offense well, the Chargers could contend. But like the Bengals, I think Los Angeles has some work to do. However, a defensive line with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram III will make it hard for opposing offensive lines to focus a lot of attention on Joseph. I could seeing him fitting well on the defense.
Grade B+
Colts CB Xavier Rhodes
Rhodes signed a one-year, $5 million “prove it” deal with Indianapolis.
At one point, Rhodes had a stretch where he was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, shutting down Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr. and other big wide receivers en route to a first-team All-Pro selection.
However, Rhodes has fallen off in recent seasons with the Vikings. In 2019, he had no interceptions and just six pass deflections.
If Rhodes can return to his old self, the Colts got a steal. However, there’s a chance, the 29-year-old isn’t done declining. Indianapolis didn’t break the bank, but it could have paid less.
Grade: B-
Falcons wide receiver Laquon Treadwell
If Treadwell can make the final roster, he’ll have found an ideal change of scenery.
The former Vikings receiver struggled in his time with the team. Drafted by Minnesota in the first round, Treadwell dropped key passes and slowly lost playing time.
He’s shown brief instances of athleticism, so if the Falcons can help find the version of Treadwell that thrived with Ole Miss, then they got a steal. That seems unlikely at this point, though, and the Falcons have decent receivers already.
Grade: C
Panthers defensive end Stephen Weatherly
Weatherly signed a deal for two years and $12.5 million, which isn’t a huge contract for a player who could possibly start.
Weatherly played sparingly for the Vikings, but he did replace Everson Griffen in 2018, tallying three sacks in six starts.
If Weatherly sees an increased role, he has a chance to be succesful.
Grade: B
Lions Safety Jayron Kearse
Despite Vikings safety Anthony Harris’ long-term future with the team remaining questionable, Jayron Kearse decided to move on in free agency.
Now, Kearse is with an NFC North rival, where he probably has a better chance to start.
According to a source of NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions are to sign Kearse to a one-year, $2.75 million deal. That’s not a huge price, but Kearse will likely earn more playing time.
Grade: B-
Browns Safety Andrew Sendejo
Former Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo will join Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland.
Sendejo signed for one year and $2.25 million with the Browns. Safety is a need for the Browns, so maybe Sendejo could find himself in a bigger role. He’ll at least get more playing time than he would have had with the Vikings this season.
Grade: B-
