The Vikings were cash-strapped this free agency which prevented them from making big-time moves or retaining many of their own free agents.
That should pay off for them next season, though.
By losing defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, running back Latavius Murray, guard Tom Compton and punt returner Marcus Sherels in free agency, the Vikings should do pretty well with compensatory picks next offseason for the 2020 draft.
This year, the Vikings received two sixth-round picks and two seventh-round picks.
With Richardson, there’s potential to receive a third-round pick and Murray could net the team a fourth-round pick.
This is a strategy we’ve seen the Patriots and Ravens master throughout the year. Don’t overpay free agents and build through the draft.
Now, this is a little different. The Vikings are in this situation because they did overpay certain players and had no money leftover, but it still could work out to be a positive.
