Minnesota Vikings fans have heard it over and over again, but it can’t be overstated how important this off-season is for the franchise’s future. One of the first dominoes to fall is the free agency period, and Minnesota has a lot of difficult decisions to make regarding the franchise’s direction.
Will Kirk Cousins and the front office find common ground on a deal? Can the long-term Viking Danielle Hunter stay in purple for another contract? What will it take to keep K.J. Osborn in the fold?
In this exercise, we find a few examples of what their market value is projected to be from experts in the industry.
Market projections courtesy of Spotrac
QB Kirk Cousins
Market projection: Three years, $118.2 million ($39.4 million average annual value)
The Vikings have made it well known that if the two sides can reach an agreement, Cousins has a home in Minnesota. The $39 million may be more than some fans would want to pay for Cousins, but that’s the going rate for consistent quarterback play in today’s NFL.
There’s nothing anyone can do about that anymore.
The issue for Minnesota lies in the three-year commitment to a soon-to-be-36-year-old quarterback coming off an Achilles injury.
OLB Danielle Hunter
Market projection: Three years, $60.1 million ($20.03 million
average annual value)
Hunter signed a one-year, $17 million extension to stay with Minnesota heading into this season. For three years and a little over $60 million, that would mean keeping both Hunter and Cousins would amount to around $60 million annually between the two of them. Regardless, with players like Rashan Gary and Joey Bosa all eclipsing $25 million, a $20 million price tag for Hunter feels like a discount.
WR K.J. Osborn
Market projection: Two years, $15.1 million ($7.55 million
average annual value)
After the first tier of wide receivers that includes big names like Mike Evans, Michael Pittman Jr. and Calvin Ridley, you can find Minnesota Vikings receiver K.J. Osborn.
With the extension of Justin Jefferson looming, paying Osborn, the third wide receiver option and fourth pass-catching option when Hockenson returns, may be a tough ask for the Minnesota front office.
QB Josh Dobbs
Market projection: One year, $6.7 million
After the magical two-game run that brought forth the legend of the “Passtronaut,” quarterback Josh Dobbs fell back to Earth…hard.
However, as a backup option, Dobbs would be a great addition to any QB room in the league. However, with the familiarity with backup Nick Mullens and the low price tag with second-year Jaren Hall, Dobbs may be on the move again for the next chapter in his journey.
RB Cam Akers
Market projection: Two years, $8.2 million ($4.1 million average annual value)
Coming off a second torn Achilles, running back Cam Akers may find it difficult to garner much of a market, despite how he played after being traded to Minnesota.
From the first snap, Akers brought a spark to the Vikings’ running game which was severely lacking in the early parts of the season. The problem lies with Minnesota having plenty of options for the position, including drafting another contributor later in the draft. It will be tough to bring back Akers unless it is on a significant discount.
